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Big money

The president-elect has unveiled a massive stimulus package. Now the task is refining its contents and speeding its passage

Many economists argue persuasively that government spending has proved more effective and efficient than tax cuts in combating recessions. Thus, Barack Obama invited raised eyebrows when he unveiled details of his proposed economic-stimulus package. Two-fifths of the $775-billion plan would involve tax cuts for workers and businesses, including a $1,000 tax credit for households with incomes below roughly $200,000 a year.

Obama advisers explained that the troubled economy requires a substantial boost, credit frozen as practically everyone seeks to deleverage, yet only so much public money can be spent smartly — before the law of diminishing returns takes hold. In other words, the first dollar in tax cuts has a more beneficial effect than the dollar that takes government spending above, say, $475 billion.

The president-elect also addressed a political challenge. He appears determined to win broad bipartisan support for the measure. Many Republicans on Capitol Hill have been grumbling about the amount of spending in the stimulus package. They've called for a dose of tax cuts. Here is Obama reaching out, testing the Republican willingness to work together, to alter the ways of Washington.

How rich to read about John Boehner, the House minority leader, cautioning that ''we should not bury future generations under mountains of debt.'' Republican Congresses added hugely to the country's indebtedness. Still, the Obama team would concur: There is reason to be vigilant about the quality of the spending. Mayors recently pulled together a wish list of ''ready to go'' projects. The country would be aided by money routed to cities for public works, for instance, repairing combined sewers in Akron. Hardly anyone thinks every project is worthy.

The leading spending priority must be money for states struggling with requirements to balance their budgets. The federal government has the tools to offset the dampening effect of such mandated fiscal discipline, targeting money for Medicaid, unemployment compensation, food stamps and other elements of the safety net.

Public works trigger demand and create jobs. Ask steelmakers. The country also has an opportunity to advance projects for the long term. For all the potential of alternative energy sources, they are not yet compatible with the transmission grid for electricity, making way for a sensible investment. The moment is ripe for expanding electronic medical records and extending broadband coverage (an area in which the country lags behind competitors).

An economic stimulus of such immense size requires care in construction. There is a sense of urgency, too, the economy in need of an immediate jolt. A due date of sometime in January has been pushed back to February. Congress and the White House must not let the deadline slip further.

Many economists argue persuasively that government spending has proved more effective and efficient than tax cuts in combating recessions. Thus, Barack Obama invited raised eyebrows when he unveiled details of his proposed economic-stimulus package. Two-fifths of the $775-billion plan would involve tax cuts for workers and businesses, including a $1,000 tax credit for households with incomes below roughly $200,000 a year.

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