The Federal Stimulus Package

by Moe White

The stimulus package of almost $800 billion is designed to pump money through the entire economy, like jump-starting a dead engine. The only way it will succeed is if the money gets into the hands of those who will spend it, and spend it quickly. Here’s how:

Let’s say Bob gets a stimulus-funded job replacing old cable wiring in office buildings. He uses some of his income to buy groceries, and as a result Phyllis keeps earning a salary from her job in the supermarket. Phyllis will be able to pay for her daughter’s braces, putting some of her earnings into the orthodontist’s small business.

The dentist can keep paying a receptionist, hygienist, and others
who work for him, and he’ll send some money to the dental lab that
creates braces for children. Now that lab will be able to sign up to
have its old cable wiring replaced with fiber-optic, giving it better
communications with its suppliers around the world. And Bob will come
in to do that work! That dollar that Bob earned has helped get the
entire economy moving again.

The stimulus package includes tax cuts as well as funding for
“shovel-ready” projects, including both physical infrastructure
development — highways, bridges, and high-speed rail, schools, and
other traditional building projects — as well as for service programs
employing people in education, health, research, etc.

The following overview will help readers see some of the
specifics regarding where and how this funding is to be distributed. In
addition, links to the government websites will allow individuals and
businesses to learn how they might benefit from the stimulus package,
by tapping into job and contracting opportunities, grant funding, and
other programs.

Remember: You not only have the right to benefit from this
infusion of funds, you have the obligation to do so: It can’t work
without you. It can’t work without ALL of us, working together. And
after all, government money is YOUR money — ultimately it will come
from taxes and fees that you pay as a citizen.