Budget Winners and Losers

By JOHN WARD ANDERSON | Politico

In a $3.7 trillion budget, there should be something for everyone. And there is, including — as hard as it may be for some to believe — pain.

In shifting the nation’s spending priorities, President Barack Obama highlights his plans for the rich to pay more and for the poor to get more. And he also focuses on key campaign pledges to make the country greener and more energy independent, to expand access to affordable health care, and to improve the nation’s schools.

The full details will not be known for weeks, but the 134-page snapshot of Obama’s 2010 budget that was released Thursday gives a clear indication of who gets the elevator, and who gets the shaft. So herewith, five big losers and five key winners in Obama’s spending blueprint …

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Energy Update: 60% Stress Need For New Sources of Energy, 32% Favor Conservation

Rasmussen Reports

Sixty percent (60%) of U.S. voters say finding new sources of energy is more important than reducing the amount of energy Americans now consume.

Thirty-two percent (32%) say reducing U.S. energy consumption is more important, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Eight percent (8%) are not sure which is more important.

Generic support for developing new energy sources is up four points from a month ago.

Republicans (71%) and unaffiliated voters (63%) more strongly support placing the priority on finding new energy sources than Democrats (50%).

On a related topic, 51% say more nuclear power plants should be built in the United States, while 31% disagree …

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How the Economic Stimulus Plan Could Affect You

By The Associated Press An examination of how the economic stimulus plan will affect Americans. Taxes: The recovery package has tax breaks for families that send a child to college, purchase a new car, buy a first home or make the ones they own more energy efficient. Millions of workers can expect to see about $13 extra in their weekly paychecks, starting around June, from a new $400 tax credit to be doled out through the rest of the year. Couples would get up to $800. In 2010, the credit would be about $7.70 a week, if it is spread over the entire year. The $1,000 child tax credit would be extended to more low-income families that don’t make enough money to pay income taxes, and poor families with three or more children will get an expanded Earned Income Tax Credit … Continue Reading

Obama Ordering Energy-Efficient Standards

By BEN FELLER | Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Eager to show action on the energy front, President Barack Obama ordered his government on Thursday to establish higher efficiency standards for everyday household appliances such as dishwashers, lamps and microwave ovens.

“This will save consumers money, this will spur innovation, and this will conserve tremendous amounts of energy,” Obama declared during a visit to the Energy Department, where he touted his economic jobs plan.

Obama announced he had signed a presidential memorandum directing the Energy Department to get moving on energy standards for appliances, including a first batch he will order to be finalized by August. The fact that Obama is getting directly involved in speeding up household appliance standards underscores how much he wants to show quick, clear progress on energy — part of a broader campaign promise to deal with economic and energy concerns all at once …

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