Study: Stimulus helped N.C.

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The stimulus package passed by Congress is keeping about 200,000 North Carolina families out of poverty, according to a new analysis by the liberal leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

The stimulus package, officially known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, has expanded food stamp benefits, expanded Child Tax Credits and Earned Income Tax Credits, extended unemployment benefits and made one-time payments to many elderly people, veterans and people with disabilities, Rob Christensen reports.

"It's hard to overstate the importance of the Recovery Act," said Louisa Warren, senior policy advocate at the N.C. Justice Center. "From saving and creating jobs, to keeping struggling families out of poverty, it's had a critical impact in North Carolina as well as the national economy."

Warren said not only does the stimulus money help families in need but the money is spent quickly and close to home.

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