How the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will benefit Oregon - By Senator Merkley and Senator Wyden
A Letter from Senator Merkley and Senator Wyden
Dear Fellow Oregonians,
The nation’s economy is at a tipping point. The American economy lost over 650,000 jobs in February alone and almost 50,000 Americans are losing their homes to foreclosure each week. In Oregon, our unemployment rate is at almost 10%.
In response to this dire situation, we have worked with President Obama to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a recovery package that will create or save 3.5 million jobs for American workers, including 44,000 jobs in Oregon.
This legislation is a commitment to creating and maintaining American jobs through targeted funding of job-intensive projects and broad-based tax relief. As we invest in jobs to build infrastructure and develop renewable energy, we’re investing in the future of our economy.
To assist Oregonians in understanding how this recovery plan will benefit our state, we have put together this Oregon Resource Guide to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The guide includes information on many federal programs and funding opportunities available to individuals, communities and businesses in Oregon as a result of the economic recovery package.
As a result of this legislation, Oregon will receive $1.62 billion in direct aid and over $800 million in additional Medicaid assistance over the next two years. In addition, the state, Oregon localities, and Oregon's private sector will compete for millions of dollars in competitive grants.
It is important that we get this information to those who need it so these funds can begin helping Oregonians as quickly as possible. This resource guide provides a starting point for Oregonians to understand how the ARRA will benefit Oregon and where to go for more information about specific programs. It should not be used as a comprehensive record of how each dollar will be spent, but rather an overview of how the recovery plan will strengthen our economy.
To read entire article, including the resource guide, click here