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Mr. Obama proposes tax rebates for consumers who make their homes more energy-efficient, outlines plans for more work on roads, broadband networks, clean energy projects and other infrastructure

President Barack Obama is proposing a series of initiatives intended to put more Americans to work. The president's plan focuses on small businesses, energy and the nation's highways and bridges.

President Obama says his administration has steered the U.S. economy away from what could have been a depression. But he says seven million Americans have lost jobs since the recession began two years ago.
"That is a staggering figure, and one that reflects not only the depths of the hole from which we must ascend, but also a continuing human tragedy," Mr. Obama said.
Mr. Obama (Tuesday) went to the Brookings Institution, a Washington policy study institute, and outlined a three-part strategy to ease the nation's 10 percent jobless rate.
First, the president proposed deepening the tax cuts for small businesses included in his $787 billion Recovery Act. He said entrepreneurs have created about 65 percent of America's new jobs in the past 15 years.
"These are also companies that drive innovation, producing 13 times more patents per employee than large companies," Mr. Obama said. "And it is worth remembering, every once in a while a small business becomes a big business and changes the world."
Next, Mr. Obama called for an unspecified amount of new spending for infrastructure projects - work on roads, bridges, water systems, broadband networks and so-called clean energy projects.
"These are needed public works that engage private sector companies, spurring hiring across the country," Mr. Obama said. "Already more than 10,000 of these projects have been funded through the Recovery Act."
And the president said he will ask Congress for new incentives for consumers to make their homes more energy-efficient.
"…which we know creates jobs, saves money for families and reduces the pollution that threatens our environment," Mr. Obama said.
White House officials say some of the aid to small businesses could come from money originally set aside to stabilize the financial system and persuade banks to lend again.
The president credits the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, with helping to prevent a collapse of the financial system. But he says it is time for the program to be discontinued.
"Launched hastily, understandably but hastily, under the last administration, the TARP program was flawed, and we have worked hard to correct those flaws and manage it properly," Mr. Obama said. "And today, TARP has served its original purpose and at a much lower cost than we expected."
The Treasury Department says it expects to get back $200 billion in bank bailout money more quickly than expected. Mr. Obama suggests this money could help pay for his new job creation programs and possibly reduce the nation's $12 trillion debt.

NEWTON, Mass., PRNewswire - For many homeowners, the daily news about the housing crisis is increasingly worrisome. The recent rise in interest rates has sent even more homeowners careening, and those with ARMs are acutely aware that their home financing situation might become unstable. On top of a steep decline in home values and a rising unemployment rate, refinancing to escape a rate increase with an adjustable rate, non-confirming loan such as an ARM, might be impossible.
Now more than ever, it's imperative for homeowners to understand how to determine one's home financing health and eligibility for refinancing or modification. MortgageReport.com, a new website that gives homeowners a solid understanding of their unique home financing situation and potential options, such as loan modification and refinancing, helps homeowners prepare for discussions with lenders.

Starting no later than April 1, the recently passed Making Work Pay tax break will give 95 percent of the nation's workers some extra cash in their paychecks. But some taxpayers may find themselves paying a portion of that money back next year -- unless they adjust their withholding now. H&R Block advises workers to check their withholding to ensure the right amount of tax is taken out to avoid owing more next year.
Based on new withholding tables from the IRS, certain groups of workers may end up paying back the credit in April: ineligible individuals, dual-income households and workers with multiple jobs.   "This act gives most workers an immediate boost to their wallets. But if working taxpayers don't take precautionary steps, it could mean an unpleasant surprise next year at tax time," said Amy McAnarney, executive director of the Tax Institute at H&R Block. "You don't want to get a lower refund than expected next year, or even end up owing taxes, especially when you're supposed to be getting a boost. Now is the perfect time for a W-4 or tax check-up."
H&R Block offers a free withholding calculator to help individuals understand how their withholding will change based on the new IRS tables. Individuals can compare the expected reduction in withholding to the amount of the Making Work Pay Credit they expect to claim on their 2009 return to determine if their withholding should be increased.
"Most taxpayers will need guidance on how to maximize this benefit," McAnarney said. "Not knowing or taking the time to understand how the withholding change affects them, could lead to a costly tax bill. A little knowledge now could save you a lot of disappointment later."
The Making Work Pay Credit is one provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Visit www.hrblock.com/taxes/tax_tips and www.digits.hrblock.com
KANSAS CITY, MO -- (Marketwire) -- 03/18/09 --