Washington state says it has saved or created more than 30,000 jobs since the Recovery Act was signed into law by the president in February, according to preliminary data released today by the state Office of Financial Management.
"Since early this year, states have been putting residents to work to rebuild their communities and their lives," Gregoire said. "More than 30,000 Washingtonians have jobs, thanks to this landmark legislation. These individuals are able to buy groceries from local businesses and put food on the table for their families, a key to getting our sluggish economy moving again."
Gregoire says in addition to providing relief through immediate reductions in payroll taxes, one-time payments to Social Security recipients and emergency unemployment compensation, the Recovery Act also has provided funding for projects that create or retain jobs. For example, Washington state agencies are estimated to receive $4.2 billion in federal grants. So far, state agencies have been awarded $2 billion, with $565 million already put to use for repaving roads, upgrading wastewater treatment systems and hiring law enforcement officers, among other areas.
Another nearly $2 billion has come into the state to clean up the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, which has generated an additional 2,900 jobs as of Sept. 30, 2009.
These preliminary figures are based on data that will be released by the federal government Oct. 30 on www.recovery.gov . Providing this information is part of the unprecedented transparency and accountability requirements included in the Recovery Act.