More Stimulus in 2009? $12000 Cash for Caulkers
It looks like a second stimulus package could be in the works. This time, the stimulus will come in at $100-150 billion, roughly 1/5 the cost of the first stimulus effort.
What’s in it?
Hopefully the smaller size of this stimulus bill will allow for greater clarity of all the projects and job creation initiatives that are added to the bill. At this point a bill has not been drawn up, though the President has outlined a few efforts he would like to see Congress work into another stimulus effort. Obama noted that he would like to see another $250 extra payment made to recipients of social security as well as include aid for states to hopefully discourage firings of state workers.
Cash for Caulkers
Cash for Caulkers is one of the more interesting developments in any future stimulus efforts. This effort, which would put contractors back to work and subsidize energy efficient updates for homes, would allow homeowners up to $12,000 for making their home more energy efficient. The program would give homeowners a refund of 50% on both the cost of the improvement and the installation. For instance, $4,000 energy efficient windows would only cost $2,000 as homeowners would receive a $2,000 payment from the government. It is not yet known whether it would be paid via a refundable tax credit, a voucher, or a direct payment from state governments.
Continuing Story
This is a developing story. The administration should make its requests more clear to Congress in the coming days and more information will be made available at that time.
