Lawmakers across the nation rushed to figure out how the U.S. Senate's version of the economic stimulus package would affect their individual states, after a 61-37 vote to pass the plan.

In Hawai'i, the Senate's version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act could translate into more federal funds for the state at a time of local budget shortfall. The exact amounts and specific projects were not spelled out yesterday.

The measure would provide $293 billion in tax cuts and more than $500 billion in new spending to try to keep the economy from sinking deeper into recession.

The House approved a similar measure two weeks ago with $819 billion worth of provisions to stimulate the economy.

Rep. Neil Abercrombie praised the Senate's passage, and looked toward the next phase, when House and Senate conference committee meetings try to iron out a unified spending plan.

"I agree with President Obama that it is critical to get a stimulus bill passed as quickly as possible. The United States has been losing jobs at the rate of 19,000 a day for the last year," Abercrombie said.

If the House version passes, Hawai'i could receive $2.3 billion in tax provisions to help workers, businesses and state government. The House version calls for Hawai'i to get $129.4 million for highways and bridges, $45 million for clean-water projects and $43.4 million for a transit system.