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What happened to the GOP’s deficit hawks?

Oct 17, 2017
The Senate is pushing ahead on a budget vote this week. That framework would move the GOP a step closer to the tax overhaul it has promised. The Senate plan allows for as much as $1.5 trillion in tax cuts over the decade. Those cuts could blow a $2.4 trillion hole in the budget, the […]

Chicago’s short-lived soda tax faced relentless opposition

Oct 11, 2017
Cook County, Illinois, home to Chicago, passed a penny-per-ounce tax on soda late last year. The driving force was raising revenue in a state with deep budget woes. But legal challenges delayed the tax going into effect, and a strong campaign from the beverage industry has soured public opinion on the measure. It was repealed […]

If things are booming, does the economy need tax cuts?

Oct 11, 2017
In a tweet today, President Trump today took credit for the run-up in the stock market since the election. Then the president went on to say that “if Congress gives us the massive tax cuts (and reform) I am asking for, those numbers will grow by leaps and bounds.” Is there any evidence that the […]

Banks are raking in dough, analysts say, and their earnings are expected to confirm that

Oct 11, 2017
On Thursday, we’ll know how the big banks are doing when earnings reports come out for the third quarter. Most analysts are expecting record profits of more than $21 billion. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

Is the Trump administration aiming for a “synthetic repeal” of Obamcare?

Oct 9, 2017
For the time being at least, Congress is not going to repeal Obamacare. But President Trump knows there’s a lot he can do on his own. There are reports that he’s going to issue an executive order this week, making it easier for insurers to sidestep ACA regulations and sell more bare bones, cheaper plans […]

What happens when corporations rush in to help in a disaster?

Oct 9, 2017
Will aid from corporations help Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria faster?
Kids bike in an area without grid power or running water about two weeks after Hurricane Maria swept through the island on October 5, 2017 in San Isidro, Puerto Rico.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

The rules on government business travel continue to plague the Trump administration

Oct 9, 2017
A travel scandal has already caused one Trump administration official to step down. The Secretary of Health and Human Services resigned just over a week ago. Now, more reports from Politico on travel by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke have prompted an investigation of his travel as well. Click the audio player above to hear the […]

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The latest jobs report reveals hurricanes Harvey, Irma’s economic costs

Oct 6, 2017
Nela Richardson of Redfin and Sudeep Reddy of Politico join us to discuss the week’s business and economic news.
A contractor removes moldy materials from a flood damaged home on September 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. Residents are beginning the long process of recovering from the storm.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Jobs surveys track the labor market differently

Oct 6, 2017
The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts together the monthly jobs report from two separate surveys that track the job market differently. The Establishment or Payroll Survey counts jobs and wages as reported by 147,000 sample employers. The Household Survey counts people who are employed, unemployed or not in the labor force as reported in phone questionnaires […]

Amazon encroaches on UPS and Fedex territory with deliveries for third party sellers

Oct 6, 2017
Amazon announced this week a new service on the West Coast which could encroach on territory currently held by the likes of UPS and Fedex. The online retail giant said it’s going to be overseeing deliveries for third party sellers. It will still use UPS and Fedex, but it might also choose to use its […]