Broadcast Writing: The Economic Stimulus Package

ECONOMIC RELIEF MAY BE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

CONGRESS WANTS TO PASS A NEW STIMULUS PACKAGE TO HELP FIX A CRISIS THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ENDING ANYTIME SOON.

THE HEAD OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE, BEN BERNANKE, IMPLORED CONGRESS TO PASS A NEW STIMULUS PACKAGE TO HELP THE NATION'S FLOUNDERING ECONOMY.

(sound bite/video from Burnanke's address to the House Budget Committee):
"With the economy likely to be weak for several quarters, and with some risk of a protracted slowdown, consideration of a fiscal package by the Congress at this juncture seems appropriate."

A STIMULUS PACKAGE MIGHT LOOK LIKE THE ONE FROM LAST FEBRUARY WHEN PEOPLE RECEIVED TAX REBATE CHECKS UP TO $1,200. LEADING DEMOCRATS AGREE. HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI HAD THIS TO SAY:

(sound bite/video from Pelosi):
"I call on President Bush and congressional Republicans to once again heed Chairman Bernanke's advice and as they did in January, work with Democrats in Congress to enact a targeted, timely and fiscally responsible economic recovery and job creation package."

BERNANKE HOPES THAT A STIMULUS PACKAGE WILL HELP CALM FEARS OF BOTH BANKS AND CONSUMERS. FIVE OF WALL STREET'S BIGGEST FIRMS FOLDED THIS YEAR AND 15 BANKS HAVE CLOSED.

(visual: Wall Street, exteriors of bank buildings and pedestrians)

THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED IT WOULD GIVE $250 BILLION TO U.S. BANKS TO REBUILD RESERVES AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO GIVE OUT LOANS.

(video: Henry Paulson, any tape, no sound)

A RECENT POLL FROM AP/YAHOO! CLAIMS THAT ONE OUT OF THREE AMERICANS WORRY ABOUT LOSING THEIR JOBS. HALF FEAR THAT THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO PAY THEIR CREDIT CARDS AND MORTGAGES ON TIME. LEADERS HOPE THAT A NEW STIMULUS PACKAGE WILL HELP CALM THESE FEARS.

ADRIENNE SAIA, NEWS TEAM BOULDER.