Here’s a breakdown of the economic stimulus bill that the House and Senate are expected to vote on Friday:

• National Institutes of Health: $10 billion in the final bill. The House proposed $3.5 billion and the Senate asked for $10 billion.
• High-speed and inner-city rail: $8 billion in final version. Theres also a $6.9 billion provision for public transit.  Good for them, bad for the automotive industry.
• Amtrak: 1.3 billion. No more than 60% to the Northeast corridor.
• NASA:$2 billion, including $400,000 for science toward global-warming research.  Should have given twice as much to NASA.
• Government oversight:Board to oversee stimulus bill spending will get $84 million. The house bill allocated $14 million while the Senate bill called for $7 million. There is also more than $100 million more for various inspectors general in different agencies.  What qualifications will I need to get this gig?
• Homebuyers: 6.63 Billion.  First-time homebuyers who purchase this calendar year get an $8,000 tax credit which does not have to be repaid.  Now if I can just get a loan…
• Tax credits: $13.9 billion over 10 years.  Anyone who earns less than $80,000 or families making less than $160,000 can get up to $2,500 in tax credits for college tuition. 40% ($1,000) of the credit is refundable.   I’m listening.
• Tax credits: Anyone who earns $75,000 individually or $150,000 as a family will get refundable tax credit up to $400 per person or $800 per family.  Good, so I make good money so I get rewarded for it?
• Car buyers: $1.7 billion.  Anyone who purchases a new car in 2009 gets to deduct the sales tax. To qualify, buyer must make less than $125,000 individually or $250,000 jointly. “Honey, lets buy a new car this year, we can deduct the sales tax!” “Nah, lets just take the bus”