Welcome to StateStimulus.org
WPC
Washington fares well in early stimulus projects, Michigan, not so much
WPC blog post by Carl Gipson on Washington State's share of the stimulus package
Economists warn tax increases will hurt economy
John Barnes blogs about what tax increases would do to state's economy
Has state economy hit bottom?
WPC's Jason Mercier blogs on the condition of the state economy
Could ARRA push inflation?
WPC blog by Carl Gipson on possibility that stimulus money could fuel inflation
Economic Stimulus from All Sides
Carl Gipson blogs on creating stimulus by lowering minimum wage
Economic Stimulus Starts with Private Sector Job Growth
Suddenly everything old is new again. This saying usually applies to the fashion industry, but today we are digging up old economic theories, dusting them off, and re-applying them.
Today, as in the 1930s and 1970s, government spending is passed off as economic stimulus. Proponents for increased public sector spending tout empty bromides like “the multiplier effect” or “investing in the future.” They back these up by asserting that not to move forward would result in economic collapse.
State transportation projects WILL NOT improve unemployment
WPC blog post by Michael Ennis on the effect of federal stimulus dollars on local transportation projects.
The Governor and other policymakers are proposing a multi-pronged strategy of statefinanced infrastructure and transportation projects, along with increased unemployment insurance payouts and housing assistance, in an effort to stimulate Washington’s economy.
As Washington policymakers work on putting together a state version of a comprehensive economic stimulus package, they should take into account a core set of principles prior to deciding which actions to undertake.
As the United States struggles through a recession, political leaders are hoping a "stimulus package" will save us. There is nothing wrong with the government trying to stabilize or even energize the economy. It is the reason we craft fiscal and monetary polices. The problem with most stimulus packages is that they usually don't work.
Stimulus packages have the potential to succeed, but for several reasons, rarely do.
To Stimulate the Economy, Stop Trying to Limit Driving and Start Reducing Congestion
I'm often asked how other states compare to Washington on transportation policy. This is a reasonable question, because across our state, traffic congestion is growing worse and is expected to double over the next twenty years. Congestion chokes the economy, robs valuable time from our families and lowers our overall quality of life.
But how do we compare to other states?
Why Government Spending Does Not Stimulate Economic Growth
In a throwback to the 1930s and 1970s, some lawmakers are betting that America’s economic ills can be cured by an extraordinary expansion of government. This tired approach has already failed repeatedly in the past year, in which Congress and the President:
• Increased total federal spending by 11 percent to nearly $3 trillion
• Enacted $333 billion in “emergency” spending
• Enacted $105 billion in tax rebates
• Pushed the budget deficit to $455 billion in the name of “stimulus”
In The News
‘Bridge to Microsoft’ Is One of Puget Sound Prizes in Stimulus
Bloomberg.com, March 13
States, Cities in Tug-of-War Over Stimulus Funds
The Wall Street Journal, February
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Other
ProPublica.org compiled a complete list of spending for the federal stimulus package:
ProPublica.org has a great website that details the entire spending package for your perusal. ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.
They also link to the tax cuts in the package.
