January 30

“We’re from the federal government and we’re here to help you…”

The Administration, the House of Representatives, and the Senate are busily trying to work out the details of a fiscal stimulus package.  While the White House and the House tentatively agreed on a rough package on January 24, the Senate has not yet had its say.

The Plan
The proposed plan calls for roughly $150 billion (that’s $150,000,000,000) in economic stimulus, driven by the idea that the government needs to do what it can to minimize the chance of, or lessen the severity of, a possible recession.  The proposed stimulus program provides $100 billion of tax credits and rebate checks for an estimated 117 million American families, and $50 billion in tax incentives to encourage American businesses to buy new equipment.  Proposed increases in mortgage loan amounts that qualify for government guarantees could be as valuable as anything else in the package.

The proposal, subject to various modifications, would provide $300-$1,200 tax rebate checks to most American individuals/couples who generated at least $3,000 of income last year.  Those with children would get slightly larger checks.  Those individuals who earned more than $87,000 annually and couples (joint filers) with more than $175,000 of adjusted gross income would get no funds.

It’s comforting to know that this $150 billion of stimulus is coming out of a rainy day fund set up some time ago…

…whoops…guess again

It’s no secret that this money will actually be additional borrowed money, with the budget deficit likely to be sharply higher as a result.  Such is life in the big city.

Senate Wishes
Democrats and Republicans in the Senate will weigh in with their views in coming days.  The Senate will not simply agree to the White House/House agreement.

Of interest to Senate Democrats will likely be providing rebate funds to retirees with no income besides Social Security.  The Senate may also want to extend jobless benefits for tens of thousands of Americans.  Increasing food stamp payments and providing greater heating subsidies for the poor will also be considered.  The final program could reach or exceed $200 billion in scope.

Enormous egos from the Administration, the House of Representatives, and the Senate will collide in coming days.  The hope is that a modified program can be constructed that will provide some spending stimulus sooner rather than later.

Pulled in Both Directions
The Democratic leaders in the House and the Senate face contrasting pulls in coming weeks.  Most Democrats would likely agree with the idea that their political objectives would be served in November by having an American economy flat on its back.  Such a precarious position would largely support the idea of “change” and increase the odds of a Democrat gaining the White House.

However, Democratic leaders are also sensitive to the notion that voters have found distaste with the political gridlock of the past year…and that voters would like to see Democrats and Republicans in leadership positions acting like adults at critical times.  The President’s goal is to avoid a recession in his last year in office.

Fiscal stimulus can be somewhat effective in times of economic slowing or contraction.  Others would argue that the mere discussion of a stimulus program scares consumers…as if the national media hasn’t done enough to scare people.

Fiscal stimulus is coming.  Such a program needs to be limited in scope and delivered quickly.

…stay tuned

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