Billionaire businessman Mark Cuban is expressing deep concern about the federal governmentâs economic response amid the Coronavirus Outbreak.
On Monday morning, the Dallas Mavericks owner took to Twitter to share his opinion on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and suggested that it missed the mark.
According to Cuban, the federal government should broaden its focus to consider the importance of consumer demand in order to save businesses.
If consumers are unable to make purchases to stimulate the economy, Cuban argues loans will serve very little purpose for businesses.
âItâs time to face the fact that PPP didnât work. Great plan, difficult execution. No oneâs fault,â Cuban tweeted Monday. âThe only thing that will save businesses is consumer demand. No amount of loans to businesses will save them or jobs if their customers arenât buying.â
He added, âItâs time for trickle-up economics. We need a transitional fed jobs program that trains and hires millions for a federal tracking/tracing/testing program as well as for support for at-risk populations including long term care. We need to dent unemployment with stable jobs.â
Cuban, who also serves on the White Houseâs Opening Up America Again advisory board, is also urging the federal government to consider another round of stimulus payments.
The âShark Tankâ host is proposing the idea of bi-weekly stimulus payments of $1,000 per household, which would cost the federal government approximately $500 billion.
Despite the hefty price tag, Cuban insists âit will allow for demand for non essential products and services to increase, hopefully keeping most businesses alive.â
He added, âAs we learn what the impact of re-opening is on the spread and whether or not employment grows organically.â
Cubanâs remarks follow Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powellâs support of more coronavirus relief funds to salvage the economy.
While Powell admitted an additional stimulus bill would be costly, he also feels that its a necessary trade-off that would contribute to a stronger recovery, as previously reported on IJR.
âAdditional fiscal support could be costly, but worth it if it helps avoid long-term damage and leaves us with a stronger recovery,â Powell said. âThis trade-off is one for our elected representatives, who wield powers of taxation and spending.â
