Stimulus Bill Approved, But No Public Works Spending
A $168-billion package of tax incentives aimed at stimulating the softening economy is on its way to the White House, where President Bush is expected to sign it. The legislation, which the Senate and House passed on Feb. 7, could give a boost to construction equipment purchases through expanded writeoffs.
But the final version disappointed construction officials because it has no new federal spending on infrastructure. Advocates of alternative energy also didn’t get extensions they had sought for energy-efficiency and renewable-power incentives.