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February 4,2002
In
my opinion a stimulus package should be used as an investment,
an annuity of sorts.
The money spent should have long-term benefits
to the recipients and the county.
If a tax cut is used to stimulate the economy,
it should target the group of taxpayers that are shouldering
the heaviest load, homeowners.
There
is a bill in congress sponsored by Senator Smith (R-NH)
and co-signed by members of each party to give a tax rebate
to homeowners and business owners who choose to make their
buildings 30% more energy efficient.
The cost for these upgrades would be offset by
the rebate.
This
is sound fiscal policy both in terms of a stimulus package
and foreign policy.
The homeowners reduce their monthly energy bill
by 30%, allowing more discretionary spending.
Business owners can use the savings to be more
cost competitive.
It should be noted that the majority of the products
that will be used are made in the
USA , and
the labor to install them is domestic.
In
terms of foreign policy, the reduced energy consumption
provides more independence from foreign oil and the increasing
troubles that come with that dependence.
More efficient use of oil also means less pollution
and cleaner air.
Call
your Congressperson and ask them to help move house bill
S.2718 out of committee where it has been tied up for
over a year by certain members of congress beholden to
the oil corporations.
For more information about this bill go to www.floridagreenbuilding.org. |
