Morning Cup: Data for Dollars

This is the latest roundup from our stimulus blog.

New this morning: Stimulus watchdog Earl Devaney is laying out his oversight strategy at a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Catch the action live here.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced yesterday that the first $44 billion in stimulus money for schools is now available and will be released within two weeks after applications are approved. But school districts will have to exchange data for dollars if they want a second helping. Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released a state breakdown of rural housing loans that he says will create or save 42,500 jobs. And Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano discussed some details of the $400 million in stimulus money for the Southwest border.

Tomorrow is decision day for South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford on whether to take or turn down $700 million in stimulus money. He tells the Wall Street Journal that he's no longer on a "philosophical jihad" against the stimulus but doesn't want to be an accomplice to what he deems wasteful spending.

Project of the day: $755 million to demolish the remaining uranium enrichment plants and other buildings left over from the Manhattan Project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.

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