House sends $26 billion in aid to states for teachers, Medicaid

[pinto]

House sends $26 billion in aid to states for teachers, Medicaid
By David Lightman | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — States will get $26.1 billion in the next few months so they can open their school years with fewer layoffs and help pay health care benefits for the poor.

The House of Representatives approved the new spending on Tuesday by 247 to 161, and President Barack Obama signed it.

The money should begin flowing in time for school systems to rehire and retain teachers early in the school year, which already is under way in some parts of the country.

The school money, $10 billion aimed at preserving education jobs, should be available to the states no later than 45 days after the federal Education Department approves a state's application. The department estimates that about 161,000 education jobs would be saved, but some state officials aren't so sure.

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In addition to the education spending, the bill will send $16.1 billion to state governments to help shore up Medicaid, the joint federal-state health care program for lower-income people.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/08/10/98941/house-sends-26-billion-in-aid.html#ixzz0wIhc7siv

[fasttense]

1. Overall this is very good legislation.

I guess reducing food-stamps in 2014 was the compromise the Democrats gave to the RepubliCONS in order to pass it:

"Food stamp benefits will return after March 2014 to levels they would have reached before the 2009 stimulus bill provided extra funding."