As soon as the President signed the new law for the $787 stimulus package, states began considering ways of using the aid to improve different areas in their states. Faced with budget shortages, governors and mayors are envisioning how the stimulus might help their local areas. The main concerns are improving roads, bridges, improving schools, creating jobs, improving health care, and the development of new energy programs. Louisiana could put the funds to good use, but officials are concerned about "strings" attached to the funds, so they are planning slowly.
With an estimated 11% of the stimulus aimed at improving infrastructure, Louisiana is looking to receive $308 million. The state already has plans to improve roadways, lessening congestion into major cities throughout the south. One $10 million project will expand I-10 by one lane in each direction from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. There are also plans for I-12 improvements costing $100 million. Another $109 million of the federal money would be dispersed throughout the state to planning commissions to repair other roads and bridges. All projects would create new jobs and help our distressed economy since they have to be started within 120 days.
The state may also receive $1.7 billion for health care, but the state is hesitant to plan on spending this money as they question the Federal calculation. Louisiana may use part of the monies dispersed from the package to clear up debts it already owes for health care costs - $700 million. Officials are viewing this as a one-time allocation of money and want to be very careful how the aid is spent. As of Oct. 1st, the state will have to pay the increase in the costs for Medicaid. This leaves $500 million over a 2 year period left for medical purposes. The state may have to stop expanding care for uninsured Americans, as state matching funds are necessary to qualify for Federal dollars.
Though more details coming out of Washington in future weeks will clarify what states have to do to qualify for aid, the money could boost Louisiana's already hopeful job employment picture and underwrite many other programs and improvements that would make the state an even better place for people to settle and raise their families.
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