Arizonans can expect to begin seeing the effects of the $4 billion in federal stimulus money going into the state by the beginning of the summer, state officials said.
But before it is used to help create jobs, pave new roads and cover the deficit, the stimulus aid must be divided up and distributed — a task left to the governor’s office, said Gov. Jan Brewer’s spokesman Paul Senseman.
State agencies and local governments jockeying for funding must put in requests for a portion of the stimulus package, which must be approved by analysts in the governor’s office and ultimately by the governor herself, Senseman said.
“There are different processes for different programs,” Senseman said, referring as an example to the funding for rail transportation, which is distributed through the Maricopa Association of Governments. “But the vast majority of it ends up on the governor’s desk.”
With all of the requests for funding going through one office, most of the money will not be spent until the beginning of the summer this year, Senseman said.
State Superintendent Tom Horne said the Department of Education expects around $1.4 billion of stimulus aid, but acknowledged his agency is “one of many” agencies seeking funding. Horne downplayed the idea that agencies and governments are in competition with one another for the funding, though.
“Right now, we’re mainly trying to help the governor’s office distribute the money,” he said.
Horne agreed with Senseman’s timeline, saying students, faculty and staff in Arizona public schools could expect to see spending increases starting around mid-May.
The Arizona Department of Transportation will be a key player in the economic recovery plan, as it is receiving approximately $350 million in aid. The money will go to projects the department says would help create construction jobs and build up infrastructure that is key to economic growth.
On Friday, the state transportation board approved 41 of the department’s requested projects, including widening Interstates 17 and 10, and U.S. Route 60 in the Phoenix area.
ADOT spokeswoman Laura Douglas said the department is working as quickly as it can to distribute the money.
“All of our projects are shovel-ready, which means we are ready to start construction,” Douglas said. “We are working within a tight timeline to get these projects started.”
Senseman said the state would also need to take a closer look at the amount of spending on projects and government programs included in the stimulus, which the state may not be able to maintain in future years.
“The stimulus package may require more [spending] than the state can afford,” Senseman said. “[Arizona is] in a deficit now and cannot afford to be careless.”
Reach the reporter at derek.quizon@asu.edu.
