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9A Page 6 'Federal Stimulus' Continued from Page 1... The Act did not receive any support from House Republicans, who cited concerns with the cost of the plan, the transparency of the process. and whether tax cuts or spending would be more helpful to reviving the economy. General provisions of the Act include preferences for infrastructure projects that can be obligated within 120 days and unprecedented reporting and transparency requirements. Release of Senate Version The Senate released their version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (5 336 htto:/lfrwebaate.access.Qoo.aov/coi- bin/aetdoc.cai?dbname=111 cona bills&docid=f:s336ocs.txt.odf) late this week. At this time, the bill is not in print. and less is known about the specifics of the proposal. Next steps Senate committees are expected to hear the Senate version early next week and plan to have it considered before the full Senate by the end of the week. Following passage of the Act in the Senate, it will be sent to Conference. where the House and Senate will reconcile any differences in the bills. Below is a brief comparison of fundil1g included in the Act that may be important to cities. These are preliminary numbers based on what we know of the two proposals. and does not include information on the distribution process for most funds. This information will continually be updated and refined as the Act is finalized. Please visit our Federal Economic Stimulus Updates webpage for information provided by the National League of Cities, as well as future information and full side-by-side comparisons of the House and Senate legislation. WATER/FLOOD PROTECTION Watershed and Flood Prevention ODeratlons House: . $175 million to purchase and restore floodplain easements; and . $175 million for watershed and flood prevention projects Senate: . $275 million total Watershed Rehabilitation House: . $50 million Senate: . $120 million Rural Community Advancement Proaram House: . $1.5 billion for Rural Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loans Senate: . $1.37 billion for Rural Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loans Drlnklna Water State Revolvina Loan Fund House: . $2 billion to states via formula to finance drinking water infrastructure improvements. States are required to use 50 percent of the amount of the grant in the form of a subsidy to municipalities, including forgiveness of principal, negative interest loans. and grants for projects included on the State's priority list Senate: . $2 billion to the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund 2