Initial estimate puts Nevada’s share of stimulus at close to $1.5 billion

WASHINGTON -- Nevada could be getting close to $1.5 billion from the federal economic recovery bill. Then again, analysts who put out the estimate today cautioned that the numbers still could shift before Congress finally finishes the package.

"Believe it or not, the numbers still are changing at this late hour," said Marcia Howard, director of Federal Funds Information for States, a service that breaks down legislation for states and business subscribers.

According to a spreadsheet obtained today, Nevada would be getting $1.46 billion from the massive legislation that Senate and House leaders have put together.

In an e-mail, Howard said the spreadsheet represented "our first crack at numbers based on the conference agreement."

Since no state-by-state detail has emerged, the estimates "are back of the envelope," she said.

Since information on some categories of health funding still were not available, state totals might end up higher, she said.

Democratic leaders in the House and Senate agreed Wednesday on the outlines of a final bill that would total nearly $790 billion.

The bill meets the objectives of President Barack Obama's tax cut and spending strategy to attack the nation's economic recession.

But while lawmakers agreed on the top lines of the bill and many of the major elements, congressional staffers have been pulling all-nighters this week to fill in the details and write the final bill. Leaders have set a goal to have a finished product for Obama to sign no later than Monday.

According to the initial estimate, Nevada would receive an estimated $400.5 million from the so-called fiscal stabilization fund set up as a safety net for states to fund education and other needs.

There still was no information this afternoon as to whether budget-strapped states like Nevada would be allowed to apply for a waiver if necessary to qualify for the stabilization funding.

An estimated $81.4 million would be made available for school programs geared to low-income students, and $71.2 million for special education.

Analysts relied on a Government Accountability Office estimate that Nevada would get $450 million in additional federal funding for Medicaid.

An estimated $210 million would go to highway and bridge repairs, while $59.6 million would be made available for transit grants.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreautl@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.