Gregoire: Federal bailout to Washington state could be $4 billion

Published 12:46 pm Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The Associated Press

OLYMPIA — The federal stimulus package could eventually send about $4 billion to Washington state. But Gov. Chris Gregoire is warning that it won’t be a cure-all for the state’s big budget deficit.

In fact, Gregoire says the federal money could make it more complicated to write the state budget. That’s because there will probably be a long list of restrictions on how the money can be spent, including “use it or lose it” deadlines.

Congress is currently working on plans for a federal economic stimulus plan, requested by President Barack Obama.