CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia could get a $1.4 billion slice of the federal stimulus legislation now under debate before Congress, if the latest proposal reaches President Barack Obama.

A group that tracks federal funding for states provided the estimate, drawn from the House version of the $825 billion stimulus package.

West Virginia’s share appears to fall short of the $2.2 billion worth of ready-to-go projects that Gov. Joe Manchin recently outlined to the new administration. But the proposed bill would give West Virginia the 12th-highest amount when the funding is compared to state populations, according to the figures provided by Federal Funds Information for States.

The estimate includes $253 million to boost Medicaid funding over the next two years. The funding will temporarily increase the rate by which the state draws down matching federal dollars for the health care program for the poor and disabled. The rate is now just under $3 for every dollar in state money.

The extra Medicaid funding also aims to help West Virginia cover residents thrown out of work by the ongoing recession, according to an analysis for the pending legislation by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The biggest chunk of the state’s estimated share, more than $539 million, is for education-related needs. Of that, $101 million would be earmarked for K-12 construction projects. Another $351 million is part of a national “State Fiscal Stabilization Fund” meant to help both public schools and higher education while also providing for “incentive grants and an innovation fund,” the NCSL analysis said.

Manchin spokesman Matt Turner noted that at least some of the proposed education funding was not requested by the state in its $2.2 billion wish list. Other categories in the state’s roster, of projects deemed eligible for stimulus, also differ from what’s before Congress, Turner observed.

The state had asked for $970 million for highway-related projects, and $673.9 million for such other infrastructure needs as water and sewer. The roads portion of the state’s estimated share from the House bill is $243.5 million, while $114 million is earmarked for water projects.

The Federal Fund Infor-mation for States estimate for West Virginia also counts $70.4 million for weatherization, $4.3 million for displaced workers and $13.5 million for child care.

The full House is expected to vote on the $825 billion plan Wednesday, while Senate committees are scheduled to focus on that chamber’s version on Tues-day. Turner said the end result for West Virginia could vary greatly from the $1.4 billion estimate.

While some Democratic allies complain the stimulus package — already unprecedented in size — is too small, his biggest challenge comes from Republicans who believe the measure leans too heavily toward government spending and does too little to cut taxes.

Already $350 billion has gone out to banks and financial institutions under the just-departed Bush ad-ministration, and the second $350 billion installment is now in the hands of the Obama administration, which is promising tougher standards on how the money is used.