Contents

Summary and Introduction

The Uncertain Outlook for the Economy

Automatic Fiscal Stabilizers

Actions by the Federal Reserve

Fiscal Stimulus

Principles for an Effective Fiscal Stimulus

How Much Stimulus Is Appropriate?

Approaches to Reducing Personal Taxes

Lump-Sum Rebate

Temporary Tax Reduction

Deferring or Eliminating Scheduled Tax Increases

Approaches to Providing Incentives for Businesses

Cut in Corporate Tax Rates

Incentives for New Investment

Operating Losses and Carryback Provisions

Spending Proposals

Direct Transfer Payments to Households

Aid to State and Local Governments

Public Works Projects

Assessing Different Types of Fiscal Stimulus

Proposals for Home Mortgage Markets

Overcoming Impediments to Changing the Terms on Troubled Mortgages

Expanding Opportunities to Refinance Subprime Mortgages

Government Purchases of Subprime Mortgages

Macroeconomic Effects

Table

1. Characteristics of Various Policies as Short-Term Economic Stimulus

 

Figures

1. Changes in the Unemployment Rate

2. Growth of Real Personal Consumption Expenditures


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