Obama stimulus plan broken down by state
As the national debate continues on what the federal government should do to jolt the nation's economy, President Barack Obama is using innovative, and more localized, ways to make his pitch.
The White House released state-by-state figures Wednesday on the impact of the $800 billion-plus stimulus bill and said South Carolina would see 53,700 jobs created or saved here in the next two years, and a tax cut of up to $1,000 for 1.79 million working families.
The administration also said the proposed American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan would make 58,000 South Carolina families eligible for a $2,500 partially refundable tax credit for four years of college, and provide 294,000 unemployed workers with an additional $100 per month in insurance benefits.
And those figures are only part of the White House's attempt to build support outside the beltway.
It also has asked its supporters to consider hosting an "Economic Recovery House Meeting" this weekend to discuss what should be done.
Mount Pleasant lawyer William Hamilton, who is hosting one of the eight such gatherings in the Lowcountry, said people will meet at his home Saturday morning to pinpoint five things they like about the package and five things they don't like.
"We might not solve the nation's economic problems, but at least we're not sitting there watching our stocks tank and our friends lose their jobs," he said.
"You're either moving or you're a target."
In an e-mail sent to supporters, Obama said, "You can help restore confidence in our economy by making sure your friends, family and neighbors understand how the recovery plan will impact your community."
It's unclear how much of this local effort will trickle back to Washington, where the U.S. Senate is debating the bill.
Hamilton said his gathering Saturday is a way to have a more in-depth discussion than what's usually found on talk radio or online message boards.
"I'm quite certain that the stimulus bill needs lots of work," he said, "but shouting political generalities at each other isn't going to help the country."
