TACIR Clearinghouse for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). According to the text, the Act’s purposes are to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery, to assist those most impacted by the recession, to increase economic efficiency through technological advances in science and in health, and to stabilize state and local government budgets and thereby avoiding reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases. The ARRA employs a combination of measures to prompt economic recovery, including tax provisions for individuals, families, and businesses, monetary allocations to state and local governments, and the extension of certain federal programs. Below are some of the specific areas included in the Act:
- Assistance for families and unemployed workers
- Health insurance assistance
- Health information technology
- Trade provisions
- Infrastructure improvements
- Transportation
- Public housing
- Environmental clean-up/clean water
- Science
- Education and training
- Help for vulnerable workers and families
- State and local law enforcement
The total cost of the ARRA is $787 billion. An estimated $224.8 billion will be allocated to state and local governments. The latest Tennessee estimate is approximately $5 billion, calculated by the Tennessee Department of Finance & Administration.
ARRA Information Produced by TACIR
- Provisions of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act – A presentation by Dr. Reuben Kyle of TACIR to the Tennessee General Assembly House State and Local Committee. The presentation was made on February 17, 2009 and provides information on ARRA provisions, stabilization fund requirements, and forecasts and predictions of the stimulus impact.
Presentation by Dr. Reuben Kyle
Summary of ARRA Provisions
ARRA Stimulus Funds for Tennessee - Fiscal Impacts of Economic Slowdown on Tennessee Local Governments – A web publication that discusses how the recession has impacted local government finances. This publication details sales tax collections, property tax collections, and county-wide tax collections.
Links to Other Sources of Information on ARRA
Many organizations are tracking developments related to ARRA. Below is a list of links to these information sources, with a brief description of the contents of each site. TACIR will be updating this page periodically, as new information is available.
- Office of the President The official U.S. Government ARRA web site. This web site allows users to track ARRA funds and it also features a data download center where users can obtain information by agency, recipient, or state. The site also provides links to the ARRA web pages of U.S. departments.
- The State of Tennessee – The official State of Tennessee ARRA web site features an overview of the ARRA, the latest Tennessee ARRA news, jobs and funds impact data and implementation guidelines. The site also provides links to the ARRA pages of Tennessee departments.
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities – This site features a special report series entitled “Economic Recovery Watch,” which provides users with ARRA updates, unemployment data, and information about the effects of the ARRA on Americans.
- Council of State Governments – This site presents information designed to help states decipher ARRA funding opportunities.
- Federal Funds Information for States - This site provides information on ARRA allocations, guidance on reporting and compliance, competitive grant updates, and information on ARRA extensions.
- Government Accountability Office – This web site features bimonthly funds tracking reports, jobs data, and contract oversight activities. The site also allows users to report ARRA fraud, waste, or abuse of funds.
- Internal Revenue Service - This web site presents information about ARRA tax provisions, for both individuals and businesses. Individuals can find information on topics such as home buyer tax credits, education benefits, unemployment benefits, and health coverage tax credits. Businesses can find information on topics such as the Making Work Pay tax credit, Work Opportunity tax credit, COBRA, and municipal bond funds.
- National Conference of State Legislatures – This site provides an overview of the economic recession, provisions of the ARRA, information on legislative authority, and summaries of specific provisions of the ARRA such as those concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Buy American provision, and Maintenance of Efforts requirements.
- Office of Management and Budget – This U.S. government site provides guidance on implementing the ARRA.
Updated January 2010
