Bush: Rebates on the Way

President Bush said Friday that the U.S. economy is in a "slowdown" and he encouraged taxpayers to take all necessary steps to receive rebate checks through the federal economic-stimulus plan that he signed into law earlier this year.

The first direct deposits of the federal tax rebates will begin hitting bank accounts on Monday, according to the Internal Revenue Service, and paper checks will be sent starting next month.

The rebates, which will range from $300 for individuals to $1,200 for couples, are the centerpiece of the government's $168 billion stimulus package, enacted in February. Roughly 130 million households are expected to receive them, and lawmakers are hoping the money will give a boost to the weakening economy.

"This money is going to help Americans offset the high prices we're seeing at the gas pump, at the grocery store, and will also give our economy a boost to help us pull out of this economic slowdown," said Bush in brief remarks from the White House.

The coming tax rebates have yet to inspire much confidence in consumers. The University of Michigan reported Friday that its index of consumer sentiment decreased to 62.6 in April, from 69.5 the prior month. That marked a decline from its preliminary estimate of 63.2 issued on April 11. It's also the lowest reading for the index in over a quarter-century, and the report showed that expectations for the future are gloomier while inflation expectations are rising.

Many investors on Wall Street have concluded the U.S. economy is already in recession as the national housing market posts its largest price declines on record since the Great Depression. Consumer spending is showing signs of weakness, and credit losses amid a breakdown in the bond markets are piling up on Wall Street as mortgage foreclosures spike.