Give a Little, Take a Little

Today's roundup of stimulus coverage:

In hopes of creating more jobs, House Democrats met with economists on Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reports, to talk about measures that could spur job growth. (They're touchy about calling it a second stimulus.) Possible moves include extending federal unemployment benefits, food stamp programs, COBRA health insurance and a first-time home buyer tax credit. But the real balancing act, reports The New York Times, is figuring out how to cut trillions from future federal budget deficits while pumping billions more into the economy to stimulate jobs. Dust off the old calculus textbook -- this could get tricky.

Also on Wednesday, the White House unveiled plans (PDF) to refocus spending from major financial institutions to small businesses. (Insert your own "Wall Street-Main Street" line here.) But in Michigan, small businesses aren't buying it, reports the Detroit Free Press. Many small banks have forgone bailout money because of its costs, restrictions and negative public perception.

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