THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012   ECONOMICS: OECD Sees Europe, U.S. Drifting Apart http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303816504577311043529851790.html The economies of Europe and North America will diverge in the first half of this year, with European budget cuts dragging on demand while the U.S. economic recovery picking up steam, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said in a report … Continue reading →

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012   ECONOMICS: Group Backs Simpson-Bowles Plan http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303404704577307710169626858.html A small bipartisan group of House lawmakers, bucking their Democratic and Republican leaders, is advancing a plan to reduce the federal budget deficit by more than $4 trillion over 10 years through a combination of spending cuts and tax increases. A vote on the … Continue reading →

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2012   ECONOMICS: Bernanke says U.S. needs faster growth http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/27/us-bernanke-idUSBRE82P0GZ20120327 The U.S. economy needs to grow more quickly to bring the unemployment rate down further, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Monday, defending the central bank’s policy of very low interest rates. While he offered no indication the Fed is keen … Continue reading →

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2012   ECONOMICS: Economists see higher taxes as way to cut deficit http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-03/D9TNUKVO0.htm Economists say a combination of higher taxes and lower spending is the best way to reduce the federal budget deficit. A survey on economic policies conducted by the National Association for Business Economists released Monday also forecast that short-term … Continue reading →

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012   ECONOMICS: Ryan budget passes committee by one vote http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/budget/217503-ryan-budget-passes-committee-by-single-vote The House Budget Committee approved Chairman Paul Ryan’s 2013 budget resolution on Wednesday night by a close vote of 19 to 18. Two conservative Republicans voted against the Ryan plan, which cuts spending by $5.3 trillion over ten years, because it … Continue reading →

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012   ECONOMICS: EDITORIAL: The Careless House Budget http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/21/opinion/the-careless-house-budget.html As he rolled out his 2013 budget on Tuesday, Paul Ryan, the House Budget Committee chairman, correctly said that he and his fellow Republicans were offering the country a choice of two very clear futures. The one he outlined in his plan could … Continue reading →

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012   ECONOMICS: House GOP set to move on debt package http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/74209.html Trying to get their mojo back, House Republicans hope to move quickly this spring with a $261 billion deficit-reduction package to forestall automatic spending cuts next January that would fall heavily on defense. The full details won’t be released until … Continue reading →

MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2012   ECONOMICS: GOP on budget: Bitten, but not shy http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/74158.html For the second year running, Republicans are betting big on the budget. Despite getting hammered by Democrats last year, the GOP is gambling that going big and bold on their fiscal blueprint — think major changes to Medicare and Medicaid — … Continue reading →