Relief package boosts economic outlook

WASHINGTON — Views of the nation’s economy are the rosiest they’ve been since the pandemic began more than a year ago, buoyed by Democrats feeling increasingly optimistic as President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief package is distributed across the country.

A new poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs finds 46 percent of Americans overall now view the economy as good, up from the 37 percent who felt that way last month. Views of the economy had tanked at the onset of the pandemic in April last year, when 29 percent said it was in good shape.

Fifty-eight percent of Democrats now describe economic conditions as good, compared with 35 percent of Republicans. Democratic sentiments about the economy improved after Biden replaced Donald Trump in the White House, with optimism increasing even further after he signed his landmark relief package into law.

Just 15 percent of Democrats felt positive about the economy in December, but 41 percent did in February. Among Republicans, positive views plummeted from 67 percent in December to 35 percent by February.

Americans’ improved outlook generally reflects the favorable impressions of Biden’s relief package and the mass vaccinations that have allowed more schools, offices and retailers to reopen. Based on economic forecasts, Biden suggested last week that growth this year could top 6 percent — the strongest performance in 37 years.

The poll shows 54 percent of Americans approve of the economic relief law, while 25 percent disapprove. Large majorities approve of many of the law’s components, including vaccination funding, direct payments of $1,400 and extended unemployment insurance, funding for schools to reopen, aid for families and housing payment assistance.