Dear Friend:

This week President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R.1), which will save or create millions of American jobs -- including some 400,000 jobs here in California.

In the face of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, this historic legislation offers help and hope. It will put Californians to work building the highways, bridges, transit and rail systems, and renewable energy sources of the 21st century.

The economic recovery package includes major investments in programs that will create jobs right now while laying the foundation for sustained economic growth in the future. Here are just a few examples of what California will receive under these programs:

Infrastructure

$2.6 billion in highway funding that could also be used rail and port infrastructure.

$1.1 billion for investments in mass transit.

$444.8 million to address the backlog of drinking water and clean water infrastructure needs.

Education

$4.6 billion to local school districts and public colleges and universities.

$82.7 million for Head Start to prepare children to succeed in school.

$1.2 billion for Special Education Part B State Grants to help improve educational outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

$74.2 million in education technology funds to purchase up-to-date computers and software and provide professional development to ensure the technology is used effectively in the classroom.

$1.6 billion for Title I Education for the Disadvantaged to help close the achievement gap and enable disadvantaged students to reach their potential.

Energy

$224.5 million through the State Energy Program.

$192.1 million through the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Protecting Those Hurt by the Recession

$220.2 million to provide quality child care services for in low-income families who increasingly are unable to afford the high cost of day care.

$89.8 million in Community Services Block Grants to local community action agencies for services to the growing numbers of low-income families hurt by the economic crisis.

$843.9 million to extend Unemployment Insurance for workers who have lost their jobs in this recession.

$13.2 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which provides grants to nonprofit and faith-based organizations to provide for the immediate needs of the

Homeless.

Tax Relief for Families and Small Businesses

Up to $400 for workers (or $800 for married couples) in the new Making Work Pay Tax Credit for 12.4 million workers and their families.

$250 to Social Security beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and disabled veterans.

$2,500 for each of 522,000 additional families in California who will qualify for the new American Opportunity Tax Credit that makes college more affordable.

We know that this economic recovery package alone will not solve the entire problem; we must also address the housing and financial crises, and we will do so. Be assured that I will keep working with the Obama Administration and my Senate colleagues to enact legislation to stimulate growth, create jobs, and make American businesses more competitive in the global economy.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer

United States Senator