By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-935649.mp3
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky lawmakers have been briefed on the status of federal stimulus dollars flowing into the Commonwealth. Since passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009, Kentucky has received $3.4 billion.
Sixty-eight percent of the money has been spent. Greg Haskamp of the Finance Cabinet says one third of the money went to Medicaid.
"We've needed more money in areas that have gone to benefit individuals. The largest component of that would, of course, be Medicaid. But we've also done better than expected in some other areas where we've been competitively awarded infrastructure that's also gone beyond what we originally anticipated."
Education also received a third of Kentucky's share of stimulus dollars. Other areas that have benefited include roads and bridges, health and welfare, the General Fund, water and sewer lines, job training, public safety, energy projects, transit and community development.