Jan 02 Watch Arts Funding Feels Squeeze of Economic Downturn Many arts organizations that depend on endowments and both individual and corporate donations are struggling to cope with budget shortfalls in the midst of the economic downturn. Analysts discuss the recession's impact on arts and cultural organizations. Continue watching
Dec 09 Watch College Students Squeezed by Rising Costs, Less Aid More college students and their families are struggling to afford tuition at public institutions due to increasing costs and state funding cuts in education. John Tulenko of Learning Matters Television takes a look at the impact of rising higher education… Continue watching
Dec 03 Rising Tuition, Credit Crunch Threaten Affordability of Higher Education By PBS News Hour A new study on American higher education gave all but one state a failing grade on affordability, and warned that college could soon be out of reach for most Americans. Continue reading
Dec 02 Watch Governors Press Their Case for Economic Recovery Plan President-elect Barack Obama met with state leaders at the National Governors Association conference Tuesday to help shape an economic recovery plan. A panel of governors describes how states are handling the financial downturn. Continue watching
Nov 25 Watch Obama Pledges New Effort to Tighten Federal Budget President-elect Barack Obama named Peter Orszag as his budget director Tuesday and pledged the rein in the federal budget. Financial experts mull his proposals and weigh in on the complex process of trimming federal programs. Continue watching
Oct 24 Watch Infrastructure Success in Boston Raises Prospect of Future Urban Spending The success of Boston's Big Dig infrastructure program raises the prospect of future large state expenditures on similar programs. A fiscal policy analyst and urban planner lay out their respective positions on the benefit of such an investment. Continue watching
Oct 22 Watch Population Growth Burdens Roads, Schools and State Programs Amid explosive population growth, Arizona tackles the traditional problems of urban sprawl as it tries to create a new model for livable communities. Ray Suarez reports on the Valley of the Sun's transition in the face of growing infrastructure demands. Continue watching
Apr 18 How can any elected official do anything about the economy? Question/Comment: How can any elected official do anything about the economy when 90 percent of the budget goes to the military, entitlement programs, earmarks and the national debt? Paul Solman: She or he can vote to spend less (or more)… Continue reading
Dec 20 Watch President Bush Accuses Congress of ‘Wasteful Spending’ in Earmarks President Bush criticized Congress on Thursday for including thousands of earmarks -- small projects for which lawmakers target funds -- in its spending bills. Fiscal experts explain how Congress intends to use those earmarks and how they affect the overall… Continue watching
Dec 19 Watch McConnell Details Spending Bill Fight, Push for War Funds GOP and Democratic lawmakers have sparred in recent weeks over a massive spending bill that, in addition to funding domestic programs, also seeks to include funds for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., discusses legislative… Continue watching