Nearly every economist who spoke here agreed that a dollar invested in, say, a new transit system or in bridge repair is spent and respent more efficiently than a dollar that comes to a household in a tax cut. A bigger percentage of the latter is saved, they said. There was concern, however, that the nation lacked enough ''shovel ready'' projects that could be ramped up quickly, generating jobs.

The central bank has cut interest rates by 1.5% this fall to encourage borrowing, spending and business investment. But the Conference Board says rate cuts take a year and a half to fully kick in, and the economy can't wait.

It says federal government stimulus equal to as much as 1% of the economy should be targeted toward shovel-ready infrastructure projects, ensuring companies have access to credit, and putting cash into the hands of people who urgently need it.

Brewer noted that projects seeking approval from the state Board of Education have to be "shovel ready." That means plans must be drawn, environmental permits obtained, local approvals and money in hand, and construction ready to start.