Get stimulated! Your questions answered

Question: "I would love to know, as close to the penny as possible, how the money will break down by state. It seems to me that there were a group of people that lived outside their means. Now those of us who lived within our means have to pay for those who didn't. Why should states get bailed out?" - Michael Kuske, San Antonio, Texas

Expert: Will Straw, associate director for Economic Growth, Center for American Progress

Answer: The stimulus legislation sets out the formulas for allocating the money to the states. In most cases, the money is being divided up according to existing formulas of federal aid to the states. In other cases, the funds will be distributed through competitive grants to states and localities, or will flow through federal agencies. For a comprehensive look at what each state is likely to get, see this interactive map.

As to why the states deserve a bailout, this is a severe economic crisis. Job losses are occurring at rate not seen since 1940s. It's affecting every corner of U.S. If the federal government doesn't help out states and localities, the recession will be much graver. Also, the stimulus package will ensure that states do not have to cut back on critical public services or raise taxes, which would be catastrophic to local growth prospects at this time.

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