Some ideas for an economic stimulus package being considered by House lawmakers

Some ideas for an economic stimulus package being considered by House lawmakers:

Tax rebates: All sides agree that tax rebate checks — up to $500 for individuals and more for married couples and people with children — would be in any final stimulus measure. The White House was pushing for even higher rebates. The rebates are likely to be limited to individuals with incomes less than $85,000 and couples earning $110,000 or less. Democrats want to extend the rebates to people who work but make too little to have to pay income taxes.

Business tax write-offs: Republicans and President Bush are pushing so-called bonus depreciation, which gives businesses extra incentive to invest in property and equipment. They are also backing more generous expensing rules permitting smaller businesses to immediately write off equipment purchases. Businesses suffering losses now would be able to charge them against earlier profits to reclaim taxes previously paid.

Unemployment insurance: Democrats want to extend unemployment benefits for people whose benefits run out after 26 weeks and may press to both increase benefits and provide them to a wider range of people such as part-time workers.

Food stamps: Democrats want to boost food stamp benefits on the theory that low-income recipients will quickly spend that money. Republicans are opposed, but are likely to accept some increase.

Medicaid: Democrats are pressing to raise Medicaid payments to states, an element of a 2003 economic plan signed by Bush.