Thursday, February 12, 2009

Major Features of Economic Stimulus Bill

Here are some of the major features of the bill, which carries an overall cost of $789.5 billion.

Tax cuts:

- Reductions will total $282 billion, including payroll-tax credits of $400 for individuals and $800 for couples.
- About $70 billion has been earmarked to shield middle- and upper-income taxpayers from the alternative minimum tax.
- About $20 billion in renewable energy-tax incentives.

Government spending:

- Outlays will total $507 billion in spending including;
- $53.6 billion to help states avoid budget cuts.
- $87 billion to help states pay for Medicaid.
- $30 billion for a new power grid, battery technology and energy efficiency.

The legislation also would continue extended unemployment benefits through December 2009 and would increase food-stamp benefits by more than 13%.

What do you think?

[by Robert Schroeder, reporter for MarketWatch in Washington]

Today's Prayer

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen."

[by Reinhold Niebuhr]

Recommended Reading for Ministers Preparing for Pastoral Leadership

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT:
Good To Great by Jim Collins
Made to Stick by Dan and Chip Heath
Time Power by Brian Tracy
The Magic of Thinking BIG by David Schwartz
Cut to the Chase by Stuart Levine
Ready for Anything by David Allen
Purple Cow by Seth Godin
Tribes by Seth Godin

MINISTRY:
Launch by Nelson Searcy
The Reason for God by Tim Keller
Fusion by Nelson Searcy
Activate by Nelson Searcy
Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll
Confessions of a Reformission Rev by Mark Driscoll
50 Reasons Why Jesus Came To Die by John Piper
Porn Again Christian by Mark Driscoll

[from Travis Johnson]