Compromise Stimulus Plan Restores Some Social Spending

It also allocates $1-billion for Community Development Block Grants, which provide money to states for projects including housing and services for people hit by hard economic times. The Senate bill had not included any money in that area.

The new bill would also provide $53.6-billion to a “state fiscal stabilization fund,” designed to provide cash to deficit-plagued states—up from $39-billion offered by the Senate. While most of that money must be spent on public schools, $8.8-billion is set aside for states to devote to other “high-priority needs.”