by Laura Conaway

The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote today on its version of the $700 billion bailout plan rejected by the House of Representatives on Monday. The Senate's take includes tax breaks for businesses and individuals, plus more federal insurance for bank accounts.

Some of that has to do with unclotting the credit system, some with adding a spoonful of sugar to an awfully unpopular dose of medicine.

Meanwhile, the consequences of the credit crisis are hitting the streets — literally. The state of Maine has been unable to borrow $50 million for road repairs, money it would typically have raised by selling bonds. The state joins other local governments locked out of the market.