The Washington Post is reporting this afternoon that the Obama administration is considering taking some funds from the $700 billion banking industry bailout and sharing it with small businesses, who thus far haven't seen much from the economic stimulus largess.

Apparently under study by senior Treasury Department officials is pouring more money into the U.S. Small Business Administration program of 7(a) loans and guarantees, which could help smaller employers maintain their working capital and cash flow enough to keep jobs filled.

The Post Web site is reporting the ideas were discussed at the White House during meetings last week, but questions remain about whether taxpayers' funds would be safe, if loaned out to small businesses. That debate will be continuing into the coming weeks, so it likely will be near the end of summer before any actual cash originally approved for Wall Street could actually reach Main Street.

Expect President Obama to make an announcement, once a plan is agreed at the big government's highest levels.

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