20 Feb 2008

US Pacific territories seek funds to pay rebates under Bush plan

4:08 pm on 20 February 2008

American Congressional delegates from the U.S. Pacific territories have asked the US Government to advance funds to local treasuries to enable the island governments to issue rebates due to taxpayers under the economic stimulus programme.

President Bush last week signed a 152 billion US dollar economic stimulus package giving American taxpayers rebates of between $600 and $1,200.

Under the programme, Pacific territories are required to pay out the rebates first and request reimbursements later.

But territorial governments say they cannot afford to issue tax rebates without hurting their coffers.