Feb 27 Watch Government to Take Larger Ownership Stake in Struggling Citigroup The Treasury Department and Citigroup announced a new plan Friday in which the government will take ownership in a larger portion of the company's stock. Washington Post reporter Binaymin Applebaum explains the move. Continue watching
Feb 27 Economy Shrank 6.2% at End of 2008, Fastest Since 1982 By Admin, PBS News Hour The U.S. economy contracted at a sharp 6.2 percent pace at the close of 2008, its worst showing since 1982, as exports plunged and consumers and businesses cut back spending. Continue reading
Feb 27 What Are “Targeted Jobs”? By Business Desk Question/Comment: Paul, can you explain what “targeted jobs” are? Are these something different from the type of jobs that people are losing now? It seems to me that $30,000 spent on retaining a librarian would have the same economic benefit… Continue reading
Feb 26 Watch Orszag Outlines Policy Priorities in Budget Blueprint White House Budget Director Peter Orszag details the new $3.5 trillion budget plan, explaining how the Obama administration will balance policy priorities and an anticipated $1.75 trillion deficit. Continue watching
Feb 26 Watch Other News: U.S. Jobless Claims Rise, Stocks Fall on Health Care Plans In other news, the Labor Department reported that U.S. jobless claims rose to their highest levels since 1982 and markets fell on concerns that medical and drug companies would lose money under the president's new health care budget. Continue watching
Feb 26 Watch Obama Administration Rolls Out $3.5 Trillion Budget Plan President Obama's $3.5 trillion federal budget plan for the fiscal year includes both record spending and deficits for a wide range of programs, including health care, education and bank rescues. Kwame Holman reports. Continue watching
Feb 26 Seeking More Aid, GM Posts Massive 2008 Losses By PBS News Hour General Motors Corp. announced Thursday that it lost nearly $31 billion in 2008, saying its auditors were likely to cast doubt on its viability as it seeks more federal aid to stay afloat. Continue reading
Feb 26 What About the Recession’s Effects on the Arts? Question/Comment: Is there a possibility that you would do a piece on the Brandeis decision to close the Rose Art Museum and sell the collection? I know you’re a graduate, as I am. It strikes me a bad decision… Continue reading
Feb 25 Watch Geithner: Bank Nationalization Is the ‘Wrong Strategy’ Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner details the Obama administration's economic recovery plan and clarifies how the government plans to address the banking crisis. Continue watching
Feb 25 What Would Be the Energy Cost of Electric Cars? By Business Desk Question/Comment: Paul, I am wondering about the new restrictions that are being forced on the car manufacturers for bio-fuel/electric/ethanol cars. Why isn’t there any mention about the cost of producing the electricity for the car batteries and ethanol? In the… Continue reading