What is your take?

More companies this week have announced layoffs around the country. Our “Consumer Confidence Index” is at an all-time low (which means people are afraid to go out and spend money right now) and, to top it all off, the world might end in four years!!!

President Obama is pushing his new economic stimulus plan. One of our students last night said he heard part of the money is going to an art gallery. I had not heard that, so I decided to investigate. Below is what I’ve been able to find regarding Obama’s stimulus plan. Take a look at it. What do you like? What do you not like? What do you think the answer is to our economic woes? Give your take, Blogland!

 

Immediate Relief for Families

• Cut taxes by $500 for individuals and $1,000 for families.
• Greater access to child tax credit for working poor and expand earned-income tax credit to families with three children.
• A $2,500 college tuition tax credit.
• Allow first-time homebuyers to keep $7,500 tax credit.
• Keep extended unemployment benefits through 2009 and provide job training.
• Increase benefits to the poor by $25 billion.

Modernize Federal Infrastructure.

• $32 billion for transportation.
• $31 billion to modernize federal buildings.
• $19 billion in water projects.
• $10 billion mass transit projects.

Double Alternative Energy Production in Three Years

• $32 billion for a “smart electricity grid.”
• $20 billion in renewable energy tax cuts.
• $6 billion to weatherize homes.

Expand Health Care

• $39 billion to subsidize health care insurance for the unemployed.
• $90 billion to help states with Medicaid.
• $20 billion to modernize health information technology systems.
• $4 billion for preventative care.
• $1.5 billion for community health centers.

Improve Education

• $41 billion to school districts.
• $79 billion to states.
• $21 billion for school modernization.
• $16 billion to boost the Pell Grant.
• $2 billion for Head Start.

Invest in Science Research and Technology

• $10 billion for science facilities.
• $6 billion to expand broadband.
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census.

(Source: AP, Highlights of $825 billion plan, January 15, 2009)