Creating a Shovel-Ready Economy: Lessons from the Recovery Act

Please join the Mercatus Center’s Capitol Hill Campus and scholar Garett Jones for a discussion on the economic impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

While showing glimmers of recovery, the economy in 2011 mostly seemed stuck in neutral. Congress passed the ARRA with hopes of guiding the economy out of the recession into sustained growth. However, a strong recovery did not result from those measures and the economy is still suffering from anemic growth and high unemployment.

To help understand the steps that have been taken thus far and what we can do to get the economy in gear in 2012, Professor Garett Jones will provide a useful framework for promoting economic growth. Dr. Jones's presentation will examine:

• The state of the economy today
• Why short-term policies do not necessarily provide the biggest bang for the buck
• What Congress can do to get the economy going both in the short-term and long-term

Please join us for what promises to be a lively presentation of timely and relevant economic information as Congress takes on the new year.

This event is free and open to all congressional, executive branch, and federal agency staff. This event is not open to the general public. Food will be provided. Due to space constraints, please no interns without prior approval. For any questions, please contact Ashley Schiller at aschille@gmu.edu or 703-993-9228.