Congressional officials have released a draft of the $825 billion federal stimulus package, a combination of spending and tax cuts. Some of spending components include $87 billion for a temporary increase in aid to states for Medicaid costs; and $79 billion in aid to local school districts and public colleges to prevent cutbacks.

The confirmation of President-elect Barack Obama's nominee for Transportation Secretary was delayed just before the hearing was to begin. Former Congressman Ray LaHood (R., IL) had his confirmation hearing postponed until at least next week as the Senate Commerce Committee is still waiting to get some background paperwork from the President-elect’s transition team – information that is traditionally provided on nominees.

The bipartisan organization Building America's Future, co-chaired by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I.), California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R.), and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell (D.), just released the results of a national survey indicating that Americans are willing to pay more taxes to fix the nation's infrastructure.

In a Blueprint America special, David Brancaccio (NOW on PBS) interviews Nobel Laureate and The New York Times columnist Paul Krugman about President-elect Barack Obama's proposed stimulus package - how government spending on infrastructure projects will impact America's economy in these hard times.

Blueprint America -- with host David Brancaccio (NOW on PBS) -- interviews economist Paul Krugman on the effect a stimulus in infrastructure spending will have on the American economy.

On Saturday, December 27, Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, Arizona welcomed passengers aboard their brand-new light rail system. The 20-mile, $1.4 billion dollar rail system is a first for the state; until now, Phoenix had been the largest U.S. city without public trains.

In America, the complex drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure systems are aging. Explore the history, engineering challenges, and political and economic realities of these hidden assets that support our way of life.

The upcoming Blueprint America special, The Big Fix, will include an interview with The New York Times op-ed columnist and recent Nobel laureate. Take a look at what he and others have had to say on how infrastructure spending will impact the economy.

Blueprint America correspondent Rick Karr on how the economic crisis may affect New York City's transit system.