Assignment:
In 2008-2009, the US economy was in serious recession. In an effort to stimulate demand in the economy, and raise GDP, the federal government passed a stimulus bill, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, ARRA. The ARRA had many components. Proponents took the Keynesian view that government should stimulate demand during an economic recession. Opponents took the Classical view that government should leave the economy alone because it will ‘self-correct'.
What do you think? Should our federal government intervene during economic downturns to stimulate demand or should the economy be allowed to ‘self-correct'?
To answer these questions, read the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act articles and feel free to find more information on this topic.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act articles:
https://www.hitechanswers.net/about/about-arra/
About ARRA
ARRA Economic Stimulus Package
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009. The Act of Congress was based largely on proposals made by President Obama and is intended to provide a stimulus to the US economy in the wake of the economic downturn. The measures are nominally worth $787 billion. ARRA includes federal tax relief, expansion of unemployment benefits and other social welfare provisions and domestic spending in education, health care, and infrastructure, including the energy sector. ARRA also includes numerous non-economic recovery related items that were either part of longer-term plans (e.g. a study of the effectiveness of medical treatments) or desired by Congress (e.g. a limitation on executive compensation in federally aided banks added by Senator Dodd and Rep. Frank). The government action is much larger than the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 which consisted primarily of tax rebate checks.
The bill was first approved by the House of Representatives and then by the Senate. Congressional negotiators announced on February 11 that they had completed the Conference Report of the bill. The Conference Report with final handwritten provisions was made available to the public on February 13. On that day, the Conference Report was voted on and passed as Roll Call Vote 70 by the House, 246-183. The vote was largely along party lines with all 246 Yea votes given by Democrats and the Nay vote split between 176 Republicans and 7 Democrats. No Republicans in the House voted for the bill. Later that day, the Senate passed the bill, 60-38, with all Democrats and Independents voting for the bill along with three Republicans. The remaining 38 Republican senators voted against the bill. The bill was signed into law on February 17 by President Obama at an economic forum he was hosting in Denver.
https://useconomy.about.com/od/usfederalbudget/a/Economomic_Stimulus_Package_in_Detail.htm
ARRA Details
What Are the Details of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act? By Kimberly Amadeo
Updated September 07, 2013
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as ARRA, was designed to help the economy recover from the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent recession. Unlike TARP, which helped big business, ARRA was specifically designed to put more money into the pockets of American families and small businesses. Here's the details of each of ARRA's seven components:
Immediate Relief for Families
The goal was to stimulate demand by redirecting $260 billion in federal funding through tax cuts, tax credits and unemployment benefits. Although the cost was spread out over 10 years, most of it was delivered in the first two years.
• Cut taxes by $400 for individuals and $800 for families through reduction of withholding. This caused confusion, since many people expected checks like the Bush Tax Cuts.
• A payment of an additional $250 each to recipients of Social Security, veterans pension and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
• $70 billion to extend the AMT tax shelter. (This is usually extended each year by Congress, anyway.)
• Greater access to the child tax credit for the working poor and an expanded earned-income tax credit to families with three children.
• A $2,500 college tuition tax credit for 2009 and 2010.
• An $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers in 2009 only. (This was later extended through April 2010.)
• Deduction of sales tax on new car purchases through 2009 only.
• Unemployment benefits were extended for another 33 weeks.
• Suspension of taxes on the first $2,400 of unemployment benefits through 2009. (
Modernize Federal Infrastructure
• $46 billion for transportation and mass transit projects.
• $31 billion to modernize federal buildings.
• $6 billion in water projects.
Increase Alternative Energy Production
• $17 billion in renewable energy tax cuts.
• $5 billion to weatherize homes.
Expand Health Care
• $24 billion to subsidize 65% of COBRA premiums for up to 9 months for laid off workers.
• $87 billion in matching funds for two years to help states pay for the additional Medicaid needs that usually occur in a recession.
• $10 billion to National Institute for Health.
• $17 billion to modernize health information technology systems.
Improve Education
• $54 billion to school districts and states to pay for teacher salaries and educational programs.
• $21 billion for school facility modernization and construction.
• $17 billion to boost Pell Grants by increasing the maximum to $5,350 in 2009 and $5,550 in 2010.
• $13 billion for Head Start.
• $12 billion for special ed programs, including job training for those with disabilities.
Invest in Science Research and Technology
• $10 billion to modernize science facilities and fund research jobs that investigate disease cures.
• $4 billion to increase broadband infrastructure in rural and inner-city areas to make their businesses more competitive.
• $4 billion for physics and science research.
Help Small Businesses
Small businesses drive 70% of all new jobs, so ARRA allocated $54 billion to help small businesses with tax deductions, credits and loan guarantees, including:
• Increasing the deduction for machinery and equipment deduction, including SUVs, to $240,000
• Allowing a special depreciation deduction for 2008.
• A capital gains tax cut for small business investors who hold their stock for more than five years.
• Tax credits for small business that hire long-term unemployed veterans or students
• Increasing the SBA loan guarantee to 90% in the 7(a) loan program/
• Eliminate fees on 504 economic development loans.
• In the FY 2011 budget, an additional $64 billion in stimulus money was allocated to extend many of the ARRA programs, add tax credits for any new hires, and increase the Small Business Administration loan limits from $3 million to 5$ million
(Source: AP, "Stimulus Package on Track for Final Votes", February 12, 2009; Bloomberg, "Lawmakers Drop Broadband Tax Credit", February 13, 2009; WSJ, "How It Adds Up", February 15, 2009; Guide to U.S. Government, Robert Longley, "Economic Stimulus Package -- How It Could Affect You"; About.com Guide to Small Business, Rosemary Peavler, "Economic Stimulus for Small Businesses")
Pros and Cons of ARRA
As you can see, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act had something for everybody. However, it was almost too complicated. Many people were unsure whether they, in fact, received a tax break. Polls showed that many others actually thought their taxes had increased, instead of decreased. Small businesses complained that loan guarantees and tax deductions didn't help them when the orders just weren't coming in. Others criticized the focus on education or helping low income families. Some even went so far as to say extended unemployment benefits just helped those without jobs get lazy.
However, the success of ARRA is in the numbers. The recession ended three months after the Act was passed. Economic growth immediately improved: from shrinking a horrifying 6.9% in Q1 2009 to growing a healthy 1.6% by Q3 2009. Instead of losing more than 500,000 jobs a month, the economy added 2.4 million private sector and 1.7 million government jobs in the first 18 months after ARRA was passed.