Feb 19 After Long Battle, Calif. Budget Heads to Governor By PBS News Hour The California Assembly approved the state's long-awaited budget, sending the package to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after several all-night sessions and political concessions. Continue reading
Feb 19 Why Should We Save Big Banks? Question/Comment: I am a traditional liberal democrat who is in favor of a large stimulus package that focuses on job creation and helping out states. I can not understand the need for further bank bailouts. I do not understand the… Continue reading
Feb 18 Watch Obama’s Mortgage Plan Marks Next Step in Recovery Effort One day after signing the stimulus bill, President Barack Obama unveiled a plan Wednesday to stem the foreclosure crisis. White House adviser Lawrence Summers offers insight on the recovery strategy. Continue watching
Feb 18 Watch Other News: Markets Flat, Calif. Budget Deal in Peril In Wednesday's other news, Wall Street was flat, and controversy in the California state Senate has endangered a fragile deal over the state's budget crisis. Continue watching
Feb 18 Watch Obama Unveils Plan to Curb Home Foreclosures President Barack Obama unveiled a $75 billion plan to ease the mortgage crisis that helped trigger the country's economic crisis. Kwame Holman reports on the president's announcement and other economic news of the day. Continue watching
Feb 18 What Causes Mortgage Rates to Rise and Fall? Question/Comment: What causes mortgage rates to rise and fall? Will the stimulus or the remaining TARP money have any affect on mortgage rates? I heard of an attempt to temporarily lower rates to four… Continue reading
Feb 18 Obama Unveils $75 Billion Mortgage Plan By PBS News Hour One day after signing a $787 billion stimulus bill into law, President Barack Obama outlined a $75 billion plan to help stem foreclosures, which is at the heart of the nation's deepening economic woes. Continue reading
Feb 18 At What Point Does Increasing Productivity Damage a Consumption-Based Economy? Question/Comment: At what point does increasing Productivity damage a consumption-based economy? Can this be discussed with respect to the recent historically high levels of productivity in “modern industrialized” economies with relatively inelastic labor pools? Paul Solman: Most economists will tell… Continue reading
Feb 18 GM, Chrysler Paint Dire Picture in Plea for More Federal Aid By Admin, PBS News Hour Nine weeks after automakers made their first plea to Congress for emergency aid, General Motors and Chrysler submitted new restructuring strategies and requests for additional federal funds that could bring the government's total tab to $39 billion. Continue reading
Feb 17 Watch Amid State Struggles, Calif. Faces Deep Budget Shortfall As the stimulus goes into motion, states around the nation are facing budget shortfalls. California is facing a particularly dire situation, with thousands of jobs on the line. Continue watching