It’s Official – The Jobs Bill is Signed into Law

Thanks to the supportive votes from Maine Representatives Chellie Pingree and Mike Michaud, the Jobs bill passes the House after Pelosi called House Members back for an emergency session. Thanks to the supportive votes of Maine’s Senate delegation last week, this bill was able to be considered by the house- and we are thankful they made the right decision! Why? See what the Portland Press Herald has to say below -

An additional $16 billion would extend for six months increased Medicaid payments to the states. That would free money for states to meet other budget priorities, including keeping more than 150,000 police officers and other public workers on the payroll.

Some three-fifths of states have already factored in the federal money in drawing up their budgets for the current fiscal year. The National Governors Association, in a letter to congressional leaders, said the states’ estimated budget shortfall for the 2010-12 period is $116 billion, and the extended Medicaid payments are “the best way to help states bridge the gap between their worst fiscal year and the beginning of recovery.”

Or read the whole article here.