Groups: Economic Stimulus Checks Insufficient Funds for Iowans

By Dick Layman/Eric Mack, Public News Service - IA, Contact
May 13, 2008Des Moines, IA – Even before the economic stimulus checks arrive in Iowans' mailboxes, much of that bonus cash has already been eaten up by spiraling prices. Sue Dinsdale, of the Iowa Citizen Action Network, says her group is joining other organizations calling on Congress to enact a comprehensive economic recovery package, and she lists just a few of the priorities.
"To expand and extend unemployment insurance, to invest in infrastructure, schools, bridges, roads, to provide food stamps, nutritional assistance and home energy aid."
Dinsdale believes many Iowa families' economic stimulus checks will, of necessity, be spent on such essentials as groceries and gas.
"Iowa families and the economy need more than just a check to ensure lasting relief. We feel like we need real economic stimulus, for real economic recovery."
Her organization's position, says Dinsdale, is that a longer-term growth package should include relief for low-income families, funding that will prevent cutbacks in social services, and greater investment in the country's infrastructure to create jobs and economic expansion. Learn more about it online, at www.iowacan.org.