Sen. Robert Menendez laid out his case for the federal economic stimulus package to New Jersey residents Monday, saying the plan is one that will work for everyone in the state.

Menendez spoke outside the Java's Brewin' store on Main Street in Hackensack, in part to discuss the bill?s benefits for small businesses. He told Garden State residents the package, set to be signed by President Barack Obama Tuesday, will mean additional financial benefits for the unemployed and more jobs.

"Over the next two years, the plan will create or save over 100,000 jobs in New Jersey and the private sector is going to create 90 percent of them," Menendez says.

Funding for education and housing amounts to $70 million for New Jersey. Students whose families were forced out of their homes by foreclosure will be able to remain in their schools. Money will also go toward projects that improve energy efficiency. The senator says because of the federal money, fire departments will be able to retain firefighters.

"We've been stifled for the last eight years,? Charlie Mattson, of the Bergen County AFL-CIO, says of American unions. ?We've had more unemployment than we can bare. The American Dream was vanishing. It was completely gone for many of our people, the people I represent, the blue-collar people."