Week of January 15th, 2018

Last-minute negotiations crumbled as Dems and GOP blame each other.

Today there are almost four times as many students taking college courses under the age of 18 compared to 20 years ago.

MIT economics professor John Van Reenen discusses the 2018 meeting in Davos.

It’s not a question of whether the US can pay its bills or debts to investors.

It's not just federal workers who will feel the impact.

It's a reversal from last year, according to a survey.

Time is running out to avert a government shutdown.

As we tape this, the United States government is hours away from grinding to a halt, barring a last-minute deal. The blame game is already starting, and that’s where we’ll start today’s show. Then we’ll look at lessons federal workers learned from the last shutdown. Plus, the latest on Amazon Prime, IBM and electric vehicle sales.

The company plans to leave the locomotive manufacturing industry in a few years.

The president claims to be doing more deregulation than any other administration. Now that he's a year in, let's take stock.

Politicians on both sides of the aisle will use page counts to demonstrate regulatory burden. It's not an exact science.

A few lessons were learned in Washington, D.C., from the 2013 closure.

On the verge of a government shutdown, we ask: What happens to federal contractors in the event of a government shutdown? And how would bond markets react? Also on the show this week, three mayors from very different cities reflect on what’s changed during the first year of the Trump presidency. Plus, a conversation about regulations, a look at smart flu tracking and an examination of dual-enrollment education. 

(Markets Edition) A lack of enthusiasm for older, lower interest rates is pushing bond yields up to their highest point in years. Chris Low, chief economist at FTN Financial, joined us to give us some perspective on what’s happening. Next, we’re looking at another type of bond: the one you pay to get out of jail. One group is seeking to bond 160,000 out of jail in dozens of U.S. cities over the next several years. 

The Senate has until midnight tonight to pass a bill that would continue funding the government, but that's not looking likely.

A new survey from CareerBuilder says 72 percent of workers who experience sexual harassment do not report it.

Judges have long required people accused of crimes to pay bail. A new group called The Bail Project is seeking to bail lower-income people out of jails in cities across the country.

(U.S. Edition) The Senate has to approve a spending bill by midnight to keep the government from shutting down, but the votes just don’t seem to be there. Jim Kessler, from the centrist think tank Third Way, explains which groups and agencies could be affected. Afterwards, we’ll discuss a recent survey that finds in many cases, employees who were sexually harassed never reported it to management. Plus: We look at Jordan’s dependence on the U.S. for foreign aid, and what the future of that relationship looks like now that the U.S. has decided to cut payments to support Palestinian refugees.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … New figures show Venezuela’s oil output plunged again last year, continuing a yearlong streak of falling production. What will it mean for the economy as inflation soars and quality of life for residents declines? Then, evidence is growing against a Taiwanese businessman accused of selling oil to North Korea in violation of U.N. sanctions. Afterwards, we’ll tell you what new U.S. satellite images reveal about our planet. There’s so much debris floating around Earth, it looks like a swarm of insects. We dive into the issue of “space junk” and its impact.

There are lots of startups as well as established tech companies, like Apple and Google, that are interested in measuring our waists and monitoring our blood pressure. But as the Food and Drug Administration loosens regulations in the digital health space, who’s looking out for the consumers? On our segment Quality Assurance — a second look at the week’s tech news — Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood talks about the regulation of health tech with CNBC’s Christina Farr.

Erie, which voted for President Trump, has one of the largest populations of refugees in the country.

The acting director requested $0 for the bureau’s funding.

This economy has been reduced to getting by on a never-ending series of four week budget stopgaps.

Some small farms that participate in community-supported agriculture say that meal kit companies are cutting into their profits.

Here we are again. No federal budget, no government funding beyond the next day or so. There was a time when this state of affairs was brushed off as congressional legislators simply kicking the can down the road, that they’d come to their senses and be, y’know, responsible. But those days seem to be gone, and this economy’s getting by on a never-ending series of four-week budget stopgaps. That’s how we’re starting the show today. Then: a check on the White House’s infrastructure plan, which is expected in the next few weeks. Plus, we check back in on Erie, Pennsylvania, in our continuing series The Big Promise.

(Markets Edition) The House of Representatives is set to vote on whether to approve funding for the federal government to stay open for a few more weeks. But what happens if the government does end up shutting down? Economist Diane Swonk explains how that could affect the implementation of the GOP’s tax overhaul. Afterwards, we’ll discuss what Apple plans to do with the billions of dollars it plans to bring to the U.S. from overseas, and whether this decision had to do with the new tax bill. Then, we’ll look at a new report that shows the percentage of homes in foreclosure in 2017 is at its lowest point since 2005. 

The VP of Sterling Technologies in Lake City, Pennsylvania, says he already sees benefits from the tax bill.

The retail giant has narrowed the list after sorting through 238 proposals.

For those who donate to charity, Washington Post columnist Allan Sloan has some advice for you.

(U.S. Edition) Now that the GOP tax overhaul has passed, Apple is pledging to bring back a quarter of a trillion dollars to the U.S. We’ll take a look at what the tech giant plans to do with all of that cash. Afterwards, amid President Trump’s visit to a heavy equipment plant in Pittsburgh, we’ll take a look at the state of the manufacturing industry. Plus: Washington Post columnist and Marketplace regular Allan Sloan joins us to explain how taxpayers can trim their income tax bill.   

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service …China notches solid growth figures for 2017, but can the pace continue in the new year? Then, Benjamin Netanyahu is in India for the first visit by an Israeli prime minister in 15 years…we’ll take you there and explain what deal is on the table for the two longtime trade and security partners.  Afterward, the pope departs Chile today, but we’ll explain why his visit has come under fire for economic reasons.

Two major Apple investors are asking the company to make sure its devices aren’t harming kids. They want Apple to do more research into smartphone addiction. Could exploring this somehow be good business for Apple? Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood talks with Megan Moreno, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin.  

Larry Fink wrote an open letter to corporate leaders about why they shouldn't just think about profits, but about their own social responsibility, too.

Larry Fink, the company's chairman, issued a letter to corporate leaders urging more corporate responsibility.

You can add a certain device maker from Cupertino, California, to the list of companies crediting the new tax law for new strategic business decisions. Apple announced today it would bring profits back from overseas and add a bunch of new jobs in the next five years. We’ll kick off the show today by talking about what it all means. Then: President Donald Trump likes to take credit for gains in the stock market over the past year, but it’s worth noting that economies and markets in Europe, China and Japan are booming, too. We’ll look at the full picture. Plus, a conversation with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink. He just wrote an open letter to CEOs telling them to think not just about profits but about making a positive contribution to society.

According to Bloomberg, employees used a lock-out program to keep foreign cops away from company data.

Economists say cheap interest rates are one factor.

California commuters are relying on whale watching ferries and Amtrack to get to work while the 101 Freeway is under repair.

Tim Mayopoulos, Fannie Mae's CEO, talks about the early days of the financial crisis and its lingering effects.

Error: Missing embed for image: Some shop fronts are under construction. China's Cabinet has decreed that the city's population should be 25 million — barely more than it is today.

(Markets Edition) Amid the stock market’s very positive run, we’ll talk to Susan Schmidt — senior portfolio manager at Westwood Holdings — about the possibility of a correction. Next, we’ll look at how China has the capability to influence aluminum prices, and then we’ll discuss how the Trump administration plans to revisit a payday lending rule put in place under the Obama administration.

(U.S. Edition) The planners of the upcoming Davos conference have a new report on global threats. We’ll look at what they’re warning against, which includes everything from stock market crashes to little bits of computer intelligence that could infect us. Afterwards, we’ll chat with Michael Boskin — senior fellow at the conservative-leaning Council of Economic Advisers  — about what’s on the economic agenda for Republicans in the upcoming year. 

One economist argues immigration reform is essential to kick-starting productivity.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Data this morning showed Japanese companies are finally starting to invest their substantial cash piles, which is helping spur economic growth. While it’s positive news, we’ll explain what risks investors should look out for. Then, the World Economic Forum in Davos might be a week away, but its new report on global risks out this morning has a warning about issues like protectionism amid recently rosy headlines of widespread growth.

What does Martin Luther have to do with Facebook? According to one historian, they both prove that networks have great power and can do a lot of harm. Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood talks with Niall Ferguson, whose new book is called “The Square and the Tower: Networks and Power, from the Freemasons to Facebook.”

Sony Pictures hopes so. The studio is making a bid for the rights to the bestselling board game. We like Catan because it’s all about economics, but is there enough there for the kind of mega-franchise Hollywood demands these days? Plus, we’re talking markets and the Chinese government’s new plan for limiting the population of Shanghai.

Popular German board game Catan may be headed to the big screen.

Let's look at one of their major focuses for 2018.

(Markets Edition) Another day, another stock market surge — but is that a good thing? David Kelly, chief global strategist at JP Morgan Funds, joined us to share why it makes him feel a little bit “uncomfortable.” Afterwards, we’ll look at how the U.K. is dealing with a corporate collapse similar to the Enron debacle — this one involving a big government contractor called Carillion, PLC. Finally, we’ll talk about the rise of high-end male grooming salons and barbershops around the country.

Men are shelling out for barbershops that have nostalgic atmospheres.

¯_(ツ)_/¯

(U.S. Edition) There’s a new bill in the Senate that’ll change parts of the financial reform law known as Dodd-Frank, which was put in place following the financial crisis. And it looks like it actually has some bipartisan support. We’ll discuss why almost a dozen Democrats like that the new measure centers on small banks. Afterwards, we’ll talk to Felicia Wong — President and CEO of the nonpartisan think tank the Roosevelt Institute — about the issues Democrats will focus on in the upcoming year. Then, we’ll look at how the major auto companies are pushing for self-driving cars sooner than we may have thought.

(Global Edition) From BBC World Service … The Deepwater Horizon disaster of 2010 caused the biggest oil spill in U.S. waters and the resulting compensation claims against BP have amounted to many billions of dollars. As the BBC’s Szu Ping Chan explains, the company will book a charge of about $1.7 billion for remaining losses and claims its next set of quarterly results. Next: workers in Germany enjoy some of the best productivity, pay and employment conditions in the world, but the country’s largest union is warning of strike action if further improvements aren’t made. The BBC’s Damien McGuinness in Berlin tells us why. Then we hear from the Indonesian city that’s trying to follow in the footsteps of Silicon Valley and transform into a technology hub.

The bitcoin gold rush involves a lot of money, and where there’s lots of money, there is also the taxman. The IRS has started to take a keen interest in cryptocurrency over the past several months, and it’s not just bitcoin millionaires who should be taking notice. Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood talks with Amy Wall, a licensed tax preparer based in Tucson, Arizona, who specializes in the tax implications of virtual currency.

Startup Beam says it will offer high rates that are FDIC insured with no fees. Some in the industry say the math doesn't work.

Congress may not have completely repealed the Affordable Care Act, but it sure is changing everything about affordable care. First up: CHIP, which covers about nine million children, who are now in danger of losing that coverage. Congress failed to extend funding back in September, and the program will run out of money on Friday. That’s the same day for a possible government shutdown, unless there’s a broader agreement on funding. Then: Federal health officials are letting states impose work requirements on low-income Americans enrolled in Medicaid. Kentucky’s first and other states are expected to follow, we’ll tell you what you need to know. Plus, a new app is offering savings accounts with 5 percent interest and no fee. Is it too good to be true?

(Markets Edition) Airbus had a better year in sales than Boeing, but they’re having trouble selling their largest plane, the A380. And today is one of just four days this year when entry to National Parks is free. That’s down from the number of free days in the past, and the price for some park passes is going up. So how is the park system balancing its mission to increase access with its need for revenue? Plus, Kansas State has the oldest coach in college football’s top division and he’s got a 200-win record with the team. That winning streak — and investment in football — has helped spur the growth of local businesses and has doubled the number of hotel rooms in the area in the last 20 years. We take a look at the connection between a winning team and its location’s economy.  

The last time federal minimum wage went up was in July of 2009.

(U.S. Edition) The closest the average person can get to hearing Dr. King’s iconic 1963 speech in full is reading it online or trekking to the Dr. King Center in Atlanta to buy a copy on DVD. The recording of the speech has been private property since he recited it, and everyone (with the exception of teachers) has to pay a licensing fee to listen. How do we weigh the value of this piece of American history? Plus, we discuss why homelessness is up for the first time since 2010 and take a look at the changing landscape of New Mexico’s beloved chile industry.

(Global edition) From BBC World Service… Trading was suspended after a walkway inside the Jakarta stock exchange building collapsed on Monday morning. We hear from the BBC’s Rebecca Henschke at the scene, where police say 72 people have been hurt. UK construction giant Carillion has gone into liquidation, putting thousands of jobs at risk and the future of many projects into doubt. BBC business correspondent Ben Thompson explains what the impact could be around the globe. Finally, you’ve probably heard of phishing and the importance of staying safe online, but do you know how to protect yourself from whaling? Aatish Pattni is a Head of Threat Prevention at Check Point and says whaling attacks are on the rise.

Demand for green New Mexican chiles is growing but farmers say labor shortages are keeping them from expanding their acreage.