The American Recovery & Reinvestment Plan

Per the $825 Billion President Obama U.S. Economic Stimulus Package, the Senate is currently proposing that $340 Billion will allocated to rebuilding America's economy via The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. Below are the current specific financial highlights of the The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan courtesy of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee 1/23/09 press release (FYI, the link to the seven page press release is included at the bottom of this post).

Please be advised that the disclosed plan below is subject to revision as it will be reviewed on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives next week.

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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan focuses on 5 critical areas to rebuilding our economy and creating the conditions for economic growth in the long-term :

* Infrastructure and Science - $140 Billion

* Education and Training - $125 Billion

* Energy - $51 Billion

* Protecting the Vulnerable - $25 Billion

* Health - $16 Billion

It is estimated that this legislation will create or sustain 4 million American jobs.

* Infrastructure and Science: $140 Billion

In order to rebuild our weakening economy, these investments in our physical and cyber infrastructure will put Americans immediately to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, and will also enable the creation of a stronger and more efficient infrastructure for the 21st century economy. Highlights include:

• School Modernization: $16 billion to repair, renovate and construct public schools in ways that will raise energy efficiency and provide greater access to information technology, and $3.5 billion to improve higher education facilities.

• Broadband: A total of $9 billion for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program to improve access to broadband.

• Public Parks: $3.4 billion for repair, restoration and improvement of public facilities at parks, forests, refuges and on other public and tribal lands.

• Department of Defense Facilities: The stimulus includes $2.4 billion for quality of life and family-friendly military construction projects such as family housing and child care centers.

• $3.2 billion for Facilities Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization to be used to invest in energy efficiency projects and to improve the repair and modernization of Department of Defense facilities to include Defense Health facilities.

• $3.4 billion for VA hospital and medical facility construction and improvements, longterm care facilities for veterans, and improvements at VA national cemeteries.

• $1.2 billion to accelerate procurement and installation of baggage screening and checkpoint security equipment at airports across the country.

• $500 million to secure high risk critical infrastructure such as dams, tunnels, and bridges.

• $4.6 billion to construct, repair or rehabilitate water resource infrastructure nationwide to benefit navigation, hydropower, flood control, environmental restoration, shore protection and other purposes.

• $1.4 billion to construct, repair, or rehabilitate water delivery infrastructure in the Western U.S. to benefit irrigation, municipal and industrial water supplies, power production, and environmental and other purposes.

• $2.25 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program block grant to enable state and local governments, in partnership with community-based organizations, to acquire, construct, and rehabilitate affordable housing and provide rental assistance to poor families.

Transportation:

• $27 billion for formula highway investments.

• $8.4 billion for formula investments in public transportation.

• $5.5 billion for competitive grants to state and local governments for surface transportation investments.

• $1.3 billion for investments in our air transportation system.

• $1.1 billion for investments in rail transportation.

• $160 million for investments in maritime transportation.

• Public Lands Roads: $830 million for repair and restoration of road on park, forest, tribal, and other public lands.

Public Housing:

• $5 billion to the public housing capital fund to enable local public housing agencies to address a $32 billion backlog in capital needs - especially those improving energy efficiency in aging developments.

• $2.1 billion for full-year payments to owners receiving Section 8 project-based rental assistance.

• Neighborhood Stabilization Program - The bill includes $2.25 billion for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes.

• Homeless Prevention Fund - The bill includes $1.5 billion for homeless prevention activities, which will be sent out to states, cities and local governments through the emergency shelter grant formula.

Environmental Clean-Up/Clean Water:

• A total of $6.4 billion is directed towards environmental cleanup of former weapon production and energy research sites.

• $6 billion for sewer, wastewater, and drinking water systems nationwide through EPA’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.

• $1.4 billion to support $3.8 billion in loans and grants for needed water and waste disposal facilities in rural areas.

• $1.4 billion for EPA’s nationwide environmental cleanup programs, including Superfund.

Science:

• National Science Foundation (NSF) Research: $1.4 billion in funding for scientific research, infrastructure and competitive grants.

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): $1.5 Billion for NASA, including $500 million for Earth science missions to provide critical data about the Earth’s resources and climate.

* Education and Training: $125 Billion

In order to compete in the 21st century, Americans must have a well-educated workforce, capable of adapting to an ever-changing economic environment. Investing in education now will ensure that the next generation of American workers is ready and able to meet the challenge of global competition. In the near-term, millions of workers have seen their jobs disappear, and find themselves unable to match their skill sets with existing opportunities. Providing job training in new and expanding fields will help to lower the unemployment rate and help today’s workers better compete against foreign competition. Highlights include:

Education:

• $39 billion to local school districts and public colleges and universities distributed through existing State and federal formulas.

• $15 billion to states as incentive grants as a reward for meeting key performance measures.

• $25 billion to states for other high-priority needs such as public safety and other critical services, which may include education.

• Title I: $13 billion to help close the achievement gap and enable disadvantaged students to reach their potential.

• Special Education/IDEA: $13 billion to increase the Federal share of special education services to its highest level ever.

• Pell Grants: $13.9 billion to increase the Pell Grant maximum award and pay for increases in program costs resulting from increased eligibility and higher Pell Grant awards.

Training:

• Training and Employment Services: $3.4 billion for job training including formula grants for adult, dislocated worker, and youth programs.

• Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants: $500 million for state formula grants to help individuals with disabilities prepare for and sustain gainful employment.

• Employment Services Grants: $400 million to match unemployed individuals to job openings through state employment service agencies and allow states to provide customized reemployment services.

* Energy: $51 Billion

The bill provides investments in areas critical to the development of clean, efficient, American energy, including modernizing energy transmission, research and development of renewable energy technologies, and modernizing and upgrading government buildings and vehicles. Highlights include:

• $40 billion to the Department of Energy for development of clean, efficient, American energy.

• GSA Federal Fleet: $2.6 billion to replace older motor fleet vehicles owned by the Federal Government with alternative fuel automobiles that will save on fuel costs and reduce carbon emissions.

• Green Buildings: $6 billion for repair of federal buildings to increase energy efficiency using green technology. This funding will help eliminate the backlog of $8.4 billion in building repair projects.

• $1.3 billion for grants or loans to owners for energy and green retrofit investments.

• $613 million for Department of Defense energy efficiency upgrades and construction of alternative energy projects, including wind and solar power and photovoltaic system installation.

• $400 million for rural businesses initiatives including development of renewable energy.

* Protecting the Vulnerable: $25 Billion

The current economic crisis has affected all Americans, but none more so than the most vulnerable among us. The spending proposed here will serve to lessen the blow of the current recession, providing immediate relief for children, the poor, and others who may find themselves struggling to put food on the table or a roof over their head. It will also address the urgent need to provide safe and secure places to live, even in neighborhoods that are struggling with high unemployment and surging foreclosure rates. Highlights include:

Nutrition:

• $16.5 billion for additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly the Food Stamp program).

• Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The Committee recommends a total of $500 million for WIC. In addition, the bill provides $150 million for Food Banks.

Helping Children:

• $4.6 billion to increase investments in early childhood programs.

Other Programs:

• Community Development Financial Institutions: $250 million to immediately provide capital to qualified community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to invest in the development of underserved communities.

• Social Services Block Grant: $400 million for States and local non-profits to deliver critical services to unemployed and low-income individuals struggling with the effects of the recession.

• Homeowners Assistance Program: $410 million to expand the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) during the national mortgage crisis.

* Health: $16 Billion

The bill provides investments in areas critical to immediate and long-term healthcare for millions of Americans. Improved information technology, research facilities, and health and wellness programs, will all provide a better foundation for providing quality healthcare to consumers. Highlights include:

Health Information Technology:

• Health Information Technology: $5 billion to jumpstart efforts to computerize health records to cut costs and reduce medical errors.

Research:

• $3.5 billion to conduct biomedical research in areas such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and stem cells, and to improve NIH facilities.

• $1.1 billion to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, NIH and the HHS Office of the Secretary to evaluate the relative effectiveness of different health care services and treatment options.

Treatment and Prevention:

• Prevention and Wellness: $5.8 billion to fight preventable diseases and conditions.

• Pandemic Flu Preparedness: $870 million to complete funding for the President’s initiative on pandemic flu preparedness.

* Small Business, Law Enforcement, Other: $8 Billion

• $110 Million for GAO and Agency Inspectors General in order to provide appropriate oversight of spending contained in this bill.

• Loans for Small Businesses: $730 million to stimulate lending to small businesses.

• State and Local Law Enforcement: $3.95 billion total to support law enforcement efforts.

documents/Jan23_SenApprop_summary_spending.pdf


Data Courtesy: The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations

U.S. Fiscal Budget As % Of GDP (1940-2009E)

In the below CHART of data ranging from 1940 to 2009 it's interesting to Note :

* Just how LARGE (relative to GDP/Gross Domestic Product) the U.S's budget deficit was during the World War 2 ERA..maxing out at a whopping 30% !

* According to the Wall Street Journal, some economists are CURRENTLY predicting a 2009 budget deficit of approx 10% of GDP

Double-click for a larger image:


online.wsj.com/article/SB123315486943524321.html


Data Courtesy: The Wall Street Journal

Top 10 Largest TARP-Funded STATES

The Top 10 Largest TARP-Funded $TATES (as of 1/15/09):


1. New York - 19 Banks have received $80.3 Billion

2. North Carolina - 17 Banks rec'd $28.5 Billion

3. California - 38 Banks rec'd $27.4 Billion

4. Pennsylvania - 12 Banks rec'd $8.6 Billion

5. Ohio - 11 Banks rec'd $7.6 Billion

6. Minnesota - 4 Banks rec'd $7.0 Billion

7. Georgia - 8 Banks rec'd $6.1 Billion

8. Virginia - 14 Banks rec'd $4.0 Billion

9. Alabama - 4 Banks rec'd $3.6 Billion

10. Texas - 7 Banks rec'd $2.7 Billion


wsj.com/public/resources/documents/st_BANKMONEY_20081027.html


Data Courtesy: The Wall Street Journal + U.S. Treasury Dept

The $1.4 TRILLION Hedge Fund Industry

Some interesting Hedge Fund industry STATS courtesy of survey firm Hedge Fund Research Inc :


* Global hedge fund investors withdrew a record $152 Billion from the industry during the 4th quarter of 2008


* Global hedge fund assets shrank to $1.4 TRILLION at year end 2008 (roughly the same level as 2006)


* Global Hedge fund assets peaked in June 2008 at $1.93 TRILLION


* Hedge funds lost a record 18.3% during 2008 (record keeping began in 1990)


bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aL3fOSkanqs8


Data Courtesy: Bloomberg

Top 10 Highest U.S. Unemployment Rates

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate hit 6.7% in November 2008. Drilling down to the STATE level, below are the Top 10 Highest Unemployment Rates in the United States :


10. ALASKA -- 7.3%

10. FLORIDA -- 7.3%

10. ILLINOIS -- 7.3%

10. OHIO -- 7.3%

9. GEORGIA -- 7.5%

8. NORTH CAROLINA -- 7.9%

6. NEVADA -- 8.0%

6. WASHINGTON D.C. -- 8.0%

5. OREGON -- 8.1%

3. CALIFORNIA -- 8.4%

3. SOUTH CAROLINA -- 8.4%

2. RHODE ISLAND -- 9.3%

1. MICHIGAN -- 9.6%


http://www.bls.gov/LAU/


Data Courtesy: Bureau Of Labor Statistics

New York City's Commercial (OFFICE) Space

Some interesting MANHATTAN Commercial Real Estate Market STATS courtesy of Bloomberg:

* According to real estate broker Cushman & Wakefield, AVERAGE 4th QUARTER RENTS in Manhattan dropped 4.8% from 3Q08 to $69.44 a square foot


* Total 2008 OFFICE SPACE LEASING ACTIVITY in Manhattan dropped to 19.1 million square feet...the lowest level since 2001


* AVAILABLE LEASING SPACE in Manhattan increased by 43% over year end 2007 to more than 31 million square feet (...AVAILABLE Sublease space in Manhattan more than doubled in 2008 to 8.2 million square feet...)


* Across the entire United States, OFFICE VACANCIES rose to 14.4% during 4Q08...during this time, 'asking rents' actually fell 0.3%


* According to broker Studley Inc, MANHATTAN OFFICE VACANCIES rose to 10.4% during 4Q08...the 1.5% increase over 3Q08 is the largest quarterly increase 'in supply' since the 3rd quarter of 2001


bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aZZvAeQPT


Data Courtesy: Bloomberg