In \(2014,\) Congress estimated that the cost of increasing support and
expanding pre-kindergarten education and infant and toddler childcare would
cost \(\$ 28\) billion. Since the U.S. government was running a budget deficit
at the time, assume that the new pre-K funding was financed by government
borrowing, which increases the demand for loanable funds without affecting
supply. This question considers the likely effect of this government
expenditure on the interest rate.
a. Draw typical demand \(\left(D_{1}\right)\) and supply \(\left(S_{1}\right)\)
curves for loanable funds without the cost of the expanded pre-K programs
accounted for. Label the vertical axis "Interest rate" and the horizontal axis
"Quantity of loanable funds." Label the equilibrium point \(\left(E_{1}\right)\)
and the equilibrium interest rate \(\left(r_{1}\right)\).
b. Now draw a new diagram with the cost of the expanded pre-K programs
included in the analysis. Shift the demand curve in the appropriate direction.
Label the new equilibrium point \(\left(E_{2}\right)\) and the new equilibrium
interest rate \(\left(r_{2}\right)\)
c. How does the equilibrium interest rate change in response to government
expenditure on the expanded pre-K programs? Explain.