Issue Position: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Issue Position
"There is still much work that needs to be done, but it is clear that the Recovery Act is making a difference. Right here in New Mexico the Recovery Act has saved jobs for teachers, police officers and fire fighters, while creating jobs and cutting taxes for small businesses and families. After eight years of policies that pushed our economy to reach the brink of disaster, we have taken steps to put our country on the path to recovery. I'm encouraged by the success of the Recovery Act, and I will continue to work with local communities and small businesses in New Mexico to find ways to improve our economy and create jobs." -- Rep. Ben Ray Luján
During this time of economic difficulty, Rep. Lujan's top priority is to get our economy back on track. One of the most important tools to achieve this goal is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which Rep. Lujan supported and President Barack Obama signed into law in February 2009. This was an important step, but we still have hard work ahead of us to put our country back on the right path.
What the Recovery Act has done for the United States
When the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law on February 17, 2009, the United States was in a rapid economic decline. The month before the Recovery Act was signed into law, the United States lost over 750,000 jobs. In the fourth quarter of 2009, the economy grew 5.7 percent - the largest gain in six years. Before the Recovery Act, the economy was shrinking by about 6 percent. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the President's Council of Economic Advisors, and many independent analysts, the Recovery Act has created or saved approximately 2 million jobs, and as many as 2.4 million. Many of the jobs saved belong to teachers, fire fighters and police officers who would have had their jobs cut had the Recovery Act not helped state and local governments to fill budget gaps.
As of February 2010, over $60 billion in Recovery Act funding had gone to states for education funding. More than 55,000 Recovery projects have been approved, including over 7,000 transportation projects already underway. Furthermore, over 42,000 small businesses have received loans through the Recovery Act, providing them with nearly $20 billion in capital. In addition, ninety-five percent of Americans received a tax cut through the "Making Work Pay" tax credit program, 18 million Americans have received unemployment benefits, and 55 million seniors, veterans and other high-need residents received one-time economic relief payments of $250.
What the Recovery Act has done for New Mexico
As of February 2010, New Mexico had received $1,921,000,000 in obligations, including over $373,000,000 for transportation, energy, and other shovel-ready projects. According to the Governor's office, the Recovery Act has created or saved over 10,000 full- or part-time positions in New Mexico through funding to the state government. This estimate does not include jobs that have been created or saved through funding that has gone directly to local governments and small businesses. As of February 2010, the President's Council of Economic Advisors estimated that there are 12,000 more jobs in New Mexico than there would have been without the Recovery Act. According to the Vice President's office, over 80,000 people in New Mexico have received expanded unemployment benefits and over $400,000,000 has been allocated towards the "Making Work Pay" tax credit program in New Mexico, as of February 2010.
What the Recovery Act has done for New Mexico the 3rd Congressional District
In New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District, an estimated 237,000 families benefitted from the "Making Work Pay" tax credit. Many other programs and projects are helping to save teachers' jobs, hire police officers, provide small business loans, and repair and build roads and bridges throughout New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District.
Colfax County
The US 64 Raton to Clayton repair and upgrade project has received $26,209,086. Maxwell Municipal Schools have been awarded $80,417 through the state stabilization fund. Raton Public Schools have been awarded $713,208 through the state stabilization fund. Springer Municipal Schools have been awarded $149,524 through the state stabilization fund.
Curry County
The NM 209 repair and rehabilitation project received $1,267,660. The Hull Street Bridge overpass project received $831,489 through the New Mexico Department of Transportation. Clovis Municipal Schools have been awarded $3,530,796 through the state stabilization fund.
Harding County
Mosquero Municipal Schools have been awarded $38,193 through the state stabilization fund. The Village of Mosquero has been awarded $500,000 for water improvements through community development block grants program. Roy Municipal Schools have been awarded $42,966 through the state stabilization fund.
Los Alamos County
Los Alamos Public Schools have been awarded $1,793,846 through the state stabilization fund. Los Alamos County received $1,962,217 through the New Mexico Department of Transportation for the Diamond Drive project.
McKinley County
Gallup-McKinley County Schools have been awarded $5,680,337 through the state stabilization fund and Zuni Public Schools received $799,499 through the state stabilization fund. Several transportation projects also received funding, including over $31,000,000 for the US 491 repair and upgrade project.
Mora County
Mora Independent Schools have been awarded $351,948 through the state stabilization fund. Mora Valley Community Health Services, Inc. has been awarded $430,871 for capital improvements and increased demand for services through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Community Health Centers program.
Quay County
Tucumcari Public Schools have been awarded $578,949 through the state stabilization fund. The City of Tucumcari has been awarded $7,000,000 for a wastewater improvement project. The Village of Logan has been awarded $8,500,000 million for a wastewater improvement project.
Rio Arriba County
Chama Valley Independent Schools have been awarded $336,435 through the state stabilization fund. Española Municipal Schools received $2,118,942 through the state stabilization fund. Ohkay Owingeh Housing Authority has been awarded $2,000,000 for a Native American Housing Block Grant.
Roosevelt County
Portales Municipal Schools have been awarded $1,379,577 through the state stabilization fund. La Casa De Buena Salud, Inc. has been awarded $766,880 for capital improvements through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Community Health Centers program.
San Juan County
The Farmington Police Department has been awarded $1,065,130 through the COPS Hiring Recovery Program to hire police officers. Central Consolidated Schools have been awarded $3,314,988 through the state stabilization fund. Farmington Municipal Schools have been awarded $4,482,879 through the state stabilization fund. The City of Bloomfield has been awarded $900,000 for the West Maple Street Reconstruction project.
San Miguel County
Las Vegas City Public Schools have been awarded $1,105,003 through the state stabilization fund and the West Las Vegas Schools have been awarded $962,144 through the state stabilization fund. The Los Amigos Educational Resource Center has been awarded $143,000 for a weatherization assistance program.
Sandoval County
Rio Rancho Public Schools have received $6,963,185 through the state stabilization fund. The Mid-Region Council of Governments has been awarded $14,000,000 for the Paseo del Volcan extension project.
Santa Fe County
Santa Fe Public Schools have been awarded $5,589,076 through the state stabilization fund. The City of Santa Fe has been awarded $1,479,328 for the COPS Hiring Recovery Program. La Familia Medical Center has been awarded $775,175 for capital improvements through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Community Health Centers program.
Taos County
Taos Municipal Schools have been awarded $1,358,464 through the state stabilization fund. Taos County Housing Authority has been awarded $374,258 through the Public Housing Capital Fund.
Union County
The US 64 Raton to Clayton repair and upgrade project has received $26,209,086. Clayton Municipal Schools have been awarded $365,397 through the state stabilization fund. Des Moines Municipal Schools have been awarded $72,504 through the state stabilization fund. The Union County Sheriff's Department has been awarded $69,808 for meth reduction supplies and equipment.
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