// BEGIN editorial data var i = 0; var ObamaStimulus = new Array(); ObamaStimulus.ID = "ObamaStimulus"; ObamaStimulus.ID_WB = 28524950; ObamaStimulus.sPubDate = "1/22/2009 12:20:37 AM GMT"; ObamaStimulus.navsectionID = "3032552" ObamaStimulus.appFmt = 2; ObamaStimulus.appWidth = 420; ObamaStimulus.appHeader = "Fact file | Stimulus plan"; ObamaStimulus.appFooter = "Source: Msnbc.com research, The Associated Press and Reuters "; ObamaStimulus.appNavStyle = 3; ObamaStimulus.appLayout = 1; ObamaStimulus.copyHeight = 140; ObamaStimulus.copyMargin = 9; ObamaStimulus[i++] = new Array("","The plan ","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); ObamaStimulus[i-1].body = "Working closely with President Barack Obama, House Democrats have proposed an $825 billion economic stimulus package that strongly emphasizes energy, education, health care and jobs-producing highway construction. The legislation calls for federal spending of roughly $550 billion and tax cuts of $275 billion over the next two years, though those figures are certain to change as the package advances. Click on the categories at left for specifics of the plan."; ObamaStimulus[i++] = new Array("","Tax relief ","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); ObamaStimulus[i-1].body = "• The $275 billion in proposed tax cuts includes a tax credit of $500 per worker and $1,000 per working couple. Lawmakers jettisoned the incoming administration’s call to give a $3,000 tax credit for each new job created by private companies. The measure also does not include money to help middle-class taxpayers ensnared in the so-called Alternative Minimum Tax, which was originally designed to prevent the extremely wealthy from avoiding payment of taxes. Several officials said the Senate was likely to include that provision in its version of the bill, a step that could push the overall total close to $900 billion if incorporated into the final legislation."; ObamaStimulus[i++] = new Array("","Business breaks ","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); ObamaStimulus[i-1].body = "• The package would infuse cash into money-losing companies by allowing them to claim tax credits on past profits dating back five years instead of two. It also would offer bonus depreciation for businesses investing in new plants and equipment; double the amount small businesses can write off for capital investments and new equipment purchases; allow businesses to claim a tax credit for hiring youths and veterans. "; ObamaStimulus[i++] = new Array("","Payroll taxes","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); ObamaStimulus[i-1].body = "• Payroll taxes withheld by the government would be cut as well, according to the AP. The break would be retroactive to Jan. 1, and couples receiving the $1,000 tax cut also would keep an extra $80 a month under this provision."; ObamaStimulus[i++] = new Array("","Child tax credit ","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); ObamaStimulus[i-1].body = "• More than 5 million American children who are poor would be eligible for a $1,000-per-child tax credit for the first time, according to the New York Times. The tax benefit also would be given to millions more poor children who now qualify for only partial credit, The New York Times reported."; ObamaStimulus[i++] = new Array("","Jobless benefits ","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); ObamaStimulus[i-1].body = "• The package proposes $43 billion to extend unemployment benefits, increase them by $25 a week and provide job training; $20 billion to increase food stamp benefits by 13 percent; $4 billion to provide a one-time additional Supplemental Security Income payment. "; ObamaStimulus[i++] = new Array("","Health care","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); ObamaStimulus[i-1].body = "• The proposal would spend $39 billion to subsidize health care insurance for the unemployed and provide coverage through Medicaid; $90 billion to help states with Medicaid; $20 billion to modernize health information technology systems; and $4 billion for preventative care."; ObamaStimulus[i++] = new Array("","Energy","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); ObamaStimulus[i-1].body = "• The package proposes spending on a variety of energy-related projects, including $32 billion to fund a so-called \"smart electricity grid\" to reduce waste; $20 billion-plus in renewable energy tax cuts and a tax credit for research and development on energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and a multiyear extension of the renewable energy production tax credit for wind, hydropower, geothermal and bioenergy; $6 billion to weatherize modest-income homes. "; ObamaStimulus[i++] = new Array("","Education","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); ObamaStimulus[i-1].body = "• The proposal would allocate $41 billion in grants to local school districts; $79 billion in state fiscal relief to prevent cuts in state aid; $21 billion for school modernization; and $16 billion to boost the maximum Pell Grant by $500."; ObamaStimulus[i++] = new Array("","Infrastructure ","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); ObamaStimulus[i-1].body = "• The proposal envisions spending $32 billion for transportation projects; $31 billion to build and repair federal buildings and other public infrastructure; $19 billion in water projects; $10 billion in rail and mass transit projects."; ObamaStimulus[i++] = new Array("","Law enforcement","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); ObamaStimulus[i-1].body = "• The package calls for spending $4 billion on grants to state and local law enforcement."; ObamaStimulus[i++] = new Array("","Science and technology","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); ObamaStimulus[i-1].body = "• The proposal includes $10 billion for science facilities; $6 billion to bring high-speed Internet access to rural and underserved areas. "; ObamaStimulus[i++] = new Array("","Aid to state governments","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); ObamaStimulus[i-1].body = "• State budgets have taken a huge hit from falling property and sales tax revenues, and governors have urged Obama to help. According to Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com, the return on that investment is $1.36 per dollar spent.

Adam Posen, an economist with the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said helping states bridge budget gaps would help keep teachers and police officers on the job.
"; ObamaStimulus[i++] = new Array("","Accountability","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); ObamaStimulus[i-1].body = "• A summary of the legislation claimed \"unprecedented accountability\" and said the bill would include no earmarks, the pet projects that lawmakers are fond of.
"; // END editorial data