Arizona could get more than $1 billion in federal economic stimulus funds from the proposed American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, Gov. Janet Napolitano said last week.
The governor said President-elect Barack Obama’s plan would focus on large public projects, including roads and other infrastructure, in an effort to stave off a worsening economic situation by creating jobs.
The funding would be spread over the next two years, with a large share of the expected $800 billion package going to states, she said.
Arizona is facing a shortfall of $1.6 billion in fiscal 2009, growing to as much as $3 billion in fiscal 2010.
Napolitano has been nominated by the incoming administration as secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. She will present a plan to eliminate the state’s budget shortfall in fiscal 2009 later this week, along with an executive budget for fiscal 2010.
The Democratic governor is expected to resign her state post next week, following confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Republican Secretary of State Jan Brewer will serve out the balance of her term, which runs through 2010.
