State Economic Stimulus Plans

From NCSL.org:

A number of states have proposed, designed and enacted state-level stimulus plans in response to the current economic recession.  Public spending on infrastructure projects is perhaps the most common component of state stimulus plans.  Other elements include small business development, increased capital in local financial markets, job creation incentives, and investments in green energy and health technology.

The [chart at link above] shows stimulus plan details for 16 states.  Investments from these selected states add up to over $10 billion.

This bit from Indiana is especially interesting: “The proposal also clarifies that the legislature, not the governor, is to distribute future federal stimulus funds.” In other words, the Indiana General Assembly has ruled that any money coming to the state from the Congressional stimulus package will get appropriated by the legislature.

And yet, the Indiana General Assembly must adjourn no later than April 30, 2009. I expect the governor will have to call a special session in order for the Assembly to meet to appropriate these funds.

So, in a bit of wonkish irony: the legislature made a rule calling dibs on doling out federal stimulus money… but existing rules will likely mandate that the governor gets to decide the mechanism by which the lege will do the doling.