Excerpt: “Average expectations of increases in federal welfare benefits, social security benefits, unemployment benefits, housing assistance, and Medicare all fell sharply in December, with average expectations of decreases in these benefits rising to levels not seen since April 2017. Expectations for housing assistance/affordable housing, free/subsidized public preschool education, federal student aid, and student debt forgiveness also sharply declined. The average perceived likelihood of an expansion in paid parental leave decreased to 15.9 percent in December from 24.4 percent in August. The average perceived likelihoods of increases in the gasoline tax, capital gains tax, payroll tax, average income tax rate, and income tax rate for the highest bracket all declined sharply in December.”