Wisconsin could get about $3.5 billion from the federal stimulus compromise.
Much of Wisconsin's share of the latest $789-billion economic stimulus plan would go to education, healthcare, road projects and jobless benefits. About 70,000 jobs would be created or saved in Wisconsin.
“In many ways what this act does is to avert what would be really catastrophic cuts and layoffs to people both in the private and public sector.”
Governor Jim Doyle says the plan would give an immediate tax cut of up to $400 per individual worker. He says an additional 100 bucks a month in unemployment benefits would go to an estimated 553,000 workers and extended benefits for 74,000 laid-off Wisconsinites.
Doyle cautions: we are not saved! He emphasizes, despite the federal funds, we still face a “very, very deep budget deficit.”
“And the budget that I present on Tuesday is going to call for very difficult cuts and we are still going to have to make some very, very hard choices to be able to preserve our most important priorities of education, healthcare and public protection.”
The governor says Wisconsin's projected $5.7 billion deficit could be offset by about 2 billion bucks. Congress is expected to approve the package Friday.