Getting our R&R

President Obama’s economic-stimulus plan (now officially known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) is an $850 billion-plus goose to the crippled U.S. economy. Despite a unanimous chorus of “No” from Republicans, the plan passed in the House of Representatives last week, and moved to the Senate this week where it faces potential alterations. No matter what form the final stimulus plan takes, the whole world will be able to keep tabs on how the money is being spent via an oversight board that will post reports at www.recovery.gov.

Here’s a general overview of how the president proposes the funds be split up:

1. Tax cuts $275 billion
2. Education $141.6 billion
3. Unemployed worker benefits $102 billion
4. State relief for public sector and vital services $91 billion
5. Roads, bridges, transit and waterways $90 billion
6. Energy efficiency $54 billion
7. Lower health-care costs $24.1 billion
8. Science and technology $16 billion
9. Other categories $56.3 billion