Sen. Bernie Sanders released a report analyzing the impact of the economic stimulus package in Vermont.  The federal investment has provided tax relief for almost all Vermonters and created or saved some 7,000 jobs in the state.

At least $1.3 billion from the stimulus package has impacted Vermont by investing in job-creating programs and tax relief.  As examples, the report details investments made in energy efficiency, local schools, transportation projects, and health care.

"A lot of people are wondering what the stimulus package did. How does my family benefit? Where are the jobs? That's why we did this study," said Sanders. "The answer is that federal taxes were cut for almost all Vermonters and thousands of jobs have been created or saved.

Formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the ongoing $862 billion bill that Congress passed 18 months ago already has saved or created at least 2.5 million jobs nationally and, according to the White House Council of Economic Advisors, at least 7,000 in Vermont.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are flowing into Vermont's health care, railroads, highways, broadband systems and schools. The thousands of jobs helped begin to reverse the effects of the recession in Vermont. The state jobless rate was at least 7 percent for five straight months last year. In June, the Vermont unemployment rate fell to 6 percent.  Read examples of some of the stimulus plan's impacts on Vermont:
- REBUILDING our roads and bridges, creating jobs
- SAVING energy, creating jobs
- IMPROVING healthcare, creating jobs
- SUPPORTING our schools, creating jobs

To read the report on how the economic recovery act has helped Vermont, click here. 

To read the senator's press release on this, click here.