Colorado: Michigan

With all the hoopla surrounding President Barack Obama’s visit to Denver today, we’re still left with the paltry-by-stimulus-bill-standards $64,000 question: what will the $787 billion cash infusion actually do?

Stateline.org asks three economists how much of a difference will the economic stimulus package make to states?

Here are some highlights:

Energy-producing states suffering budget deficits are getting more than expected

The bottom line in terms of this aggregate impact is that it already is having a positive impact in postponing cuts and tax increases. Whether the allocation on a state-by-state basis has been according to needs is more difficult to determine. We know that about one-third of the Medicaid formula was based on economic distress, so states like Arizona, Florida, California, Michigan and Rhode Island would be receiving a larger share of funds.

The battle for the future of the Republican Party is underway in Washington, D.C., where the Republican National Committee is gathering this weekend to elect a chairman (all the candidates are men). Follow the action with David Weigel’s live coverage at our sister site The Washington Independent.

Colorado GOP chairman Dick Wadhams this week endorsed Michigan GOP chairman Saul Anuzis, who was nominated moments ago for the national top spot. Here’s the case Wadhams makes:

Let Saul lead our Comeback

I’ve read literally hundreds of emails. I’ve read all the plans. I’ve listened to more arguments than I can count. I’ve spoken to and met with all the candidates.

[img_assist|nid=904|title=|desc=|link=none|align=middle|width=420|height=191]At the Inside Edge we usually don’t opine on national matters like who might get the GOP nod for VEEP. Mostly because when we do, we get hate mail that goes like this: “Dear Wally, What does this have to do with Colorado? Signed, your loving Editor.”