An Analysis of the Rebate Proposal In the Announced Stimulus Deal

Contributing Organization(s): Center on Budget and Policy Priorities


Author(s)/Creator(s): Aviva Aron-Dine

Publishing Date: 2008-01-01

Issue Areas: Economic Development; Government Reform; Welfare and Public Assistance

Ownership/Rights Info: Please consult the copyright holder before using or repurposing this information.

File info: 4 pages; 60.31 KB file size

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The principal weakness of the new rebate design is that it would provide smaller rebates to low- and moderate-income working families than to families at higher income levels, despite the fact that rebates provided to low- and moderate-income families are the most effective as stimulus. It also may be noted that the proposal does not cover the 22 million mostly low-income households who do not file income tax returns. It is nearly impossibly to reach such households through a tax rebate, but millions of these households could have been reached through a temporary increase in food stamp benefits. The food stamp provision, however, was dropped from the stimulus package.

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Intended Audience: Advocates; Policy Professionals; Researchers

Type/Format: Whitepaper

Language code: English

Comment & Review

Democrats and Republicans
Posted by: JaseR on Fri, 23 Jan 09 09:50:46 +0000

Democratic leaders came out strongly against tax cuts outlined in the plan, which would decrease withholdings from Americans’ paychecks and offer tax incentives to businesses that hired new workers. Though, republicans generally agreed with this Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, except for some reservations about handouts to increase state revenue. Democrats argue that the tax cuts will not encourage spending. The Bush administration’s stimulus check plans last year made little difference, and many argue that the tax cuts resemble that initiative. Other senators said that energy needs more representation in the plan. To read more about reaction to Obama’s economic plan, visit your payday loan source.


Debating the Effects of the Economic Stimulus Plan
Posted by: robgregory on Thu, 24 Apr 08 01:45:27 +0000

This is an excellent, though incomplete, research piece that identifies the pros and cons of the economic stimulus plan. The research focuses on the advantages of the plan proposed by Congress over that proposed by president Bush, and it does a fairly good job of this. The article points out that the Bush administration had a plan that was less beneficial to low to moderate-income families. It also correctly points out that putting a larger rebate in the hands of low-income and moderate-income families is more likely to directly stimulate the economy. Where it fails, according to this research, is what is missing from the plan: An extension of unemployment benefits and food stamp support for those families that miss out on the rebates since they do not file their taxes. The main points discussed here are all accurate and important, but even this research fails to show how the economic stimulus plan is incomplete.

A sudden increase in purchasing power is a very good idea.Still, is this plan enough for today's Americans who face losing their homes to foreclosure, stagnant incomes, and an overwhelming inflation of food and oil costs? Americans, moreover, are largely in debt. The question is, how much will a $600 or $1200 check from the government help to change these conditions, not to mention stimulate the economy? This research fails to include the likely impact of the actual amount, across the board; and if not the effect, than how could the plan have benefited should the total amount be increased, and especially for the poor to moderate-income familes.

Still, it is a good start.


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