economic stimulus package – News Stories About economic stimulus package - Page 21

Tsunami in Medicaid Need
Batters Broke States

Jan 22, 2009 7:01 AM CST

Tsunami in Medicaid Need Batters Broke States

Demand from newly unemployed leaves states looking to stimulus package for help

(Newser) - A surge in demand for Medicaid is draining state coffers just when they can least afford it, a New York Times survey of 40 states reveals. Demand ballooned by up to 10% in many states last year as people lost their employer-sponsored health care with their jobs, and officials believe...

Financials Kick Dow Up 279

MARKETS

Jan 21, 2009 3:22 PM CST

Financials Kick Dow Up 279

Stocks rebound after dismal Inauguration Day

(Newser) - A rebound in the financial sector today and qualified confidence in President Obama’s stimulus plan drove stocks to recover some of yesterday’s large losses, MarketWatch reports. The Dow gained 279.01 to close at 8,228.10. The Nasdaq added 66.21, closing at 1,507.07, and...

Geithner Confirmation Expected

UPDATED

Jan 21, 2009 2:14 PM CST

Geithner Confirmation Expected

Committee grills Treasury nominee on taxes, but session lasts just four hours

(Newser) - Members of the Senate Finance Committee reprimanded Timothy Geithner today for not paying $40,000 in taxes, but appeared ready to recommend the full Senate confirm him as Treasury Secretary despite his financial infractions, Roll Call reports. “I apologize for putting you in the position where you had to...

After 77 Years, GM Cedes Sales Crown to Toyota

Jan 21, 2009 12:35 PM CST

After 77 Years, GM Cedes Sales Crown to Toyota

Both automakers post drops, but Japanese firm sells more worldwide than US giant

(Newser) - General Motors’ 77-year reign as the world’s top-selling automaker ended in 2008, the Detroit Free Press reports, overtaken at last by Toyota. The troubled US giant announced today its sales dropped 11% for the year, to 8.35 million vehicles; Toyota, despite a 4% dip, sold 8.97 million...

Obama Gives Lawmakers
on Both Sides More Say

Jan 20, 2009 9:21 AM CST

Obama Gives Lawmakers on Both Sides More Say

New prez wooing votes for economic plans

(Newser) - So far, Barack Obama’s line about disagreeing without being disagreeable isn’t just lip service. The Wall Street Journal reports that the president-elect and his team have been talking in good faith with members of Congress—including Republicans—about economic policy. Says one senator whom they unsuccessfully lobbied to...

Soros Blasts
'Haphazard'
Bailout

Jan 20, 2009 2:17 AM CST

Soros Blasts 'Haphazard' Bailout

Billionaire calls for radical next phase to stave off Depression

(Newser) - The first bailout was bungled and the new $850 billion stimulus package under consideration will help keep social services ticking but won't be enough to save the slumping economy, billionaire philanthropist George Soros warned the US Conference of Mayors yesterday. He slammed the "haphazard" handling of the...

Pelosi Open to Prosecuting Bushies

Talk show ROUNDUP

Jan 18, 2009 11:50 AM CST

Pelosi Open to Prosecuting Bushies

Emanuel: Blago didn't imply anything shady in talks with me

(Newser) - Nancy Pelosi would consider prosecuting some Bush White House officials, she told Fox News Sunday, even though Barack Obama has signaled that he doesn't favor such a move. "We cannot let the politicizing of, for example, the Justice Department to go unreviewed," says the speaker of the House....

House Dems Debut
$825B Stimulus Bill

Jan 15, 2009 1:55 PM CST

House Dems Debut $825B Stimulus Bill

Public works, education get plenty of attention in measure

(Newser) - House Democrats today introduced a long-awaited stimulus package, developed with President-elect Obama, and totaling $825 billion, the New York Times reports. The economic recovery plan includes billions in tax cuts, Medicare subsidies, and public-education and infrastructure spending. The Senate is developing its own version, and vigorous debate is anticipated as...

Poll: Americans' Trust
in Gov't Plummeted in '08

Jan 14, 2009 12:17 PM CST

Poll: Americans' Trust in Gov't Plummeted in '08

62% trust feds less than a year ago; 65% think US is on wrong track

(Newser) - 2008 wasn’t a great year for the federal government’s reputation, with a Politico poll finding that 62% of Americans say their confidence in Washington has decreased in the past year. The main worry is the economy: 45% say that economic stimulus should be the highest priority (no other...

Education at Heart of Obama Stimulus Plan

ANALYSIS

Jan 13, 2009 3:43 PM CST

Education at Heart of Obama Stimulus Plan

$140B in 2-year plan would take other pressures off states

(Newser) - In its current form, Barack Obama’s 2-year economic stimulus plan—currently pegged at $775 billion—will channel some $140 billion to education, Politico reports. As Congress hammers out its plan, changes are likely, but education and Medicaid look set to be major beneficiaries. States will see major block grants,...

Use Stimulus to
Invest in Food Reform

OPINION

Jan 12, 2009 5:19 PM CST

Use Stimulus to Invest in Food Reform

Fixing food will save health and environment

(Newser) - Just because Barack Obama has a lot of issues to deal with once he's sworn in, he shouldn't leave food reform off the table. Putting a bulk of the stimulus package toward local and regional food systems will cut costs and bring us back from the edge, Tom Philpott, founder...

Bail Out America's Brains

OPINION

Jan 11, 2009 10:08 AM CST

Bail Out America's Brains

To stay afloat, we need more Gateses and Jobses

(Newser) - Building roads and bridges will give our economy a short-term boost—but we need to look farther into America’s future on the global stage, writes Thomas Friedman in the New York Times. That means investing to make sure the next Microsofts and Googles are home-grown. How? For a start,...

Obama Vows to Create Private Sector Jobs

Jan 10, 2009 11:56 AM CST

Obama Vows to Create Private Sector Jobs

Addresses worries about expanded government workforce

(Newser) - Barack Obama today tried to curtail criticism that his stimulus will grossly expand the public workforce, the Washington Post reports. Some 90% of the jobs that the plan intends to create will be in the private sector, many of them in the green-energy industry, he promised in his weekly radio...

Don't Say 'Recession,'
Say 'Recovery'

Jan 9, 2009 5:59 PM CST

Don't Say 'Recession,' Say 'Recovery'

Obama uses focus groups, polls to sell stimulus package

(Newser) - It’s not “infrastructure,” it’s an “investment.” It’s not a “recession,” it’s a “recovery.” Such are the pearls of wisdom Team Obama is spreading to congressional allies, Bloomberg reports. Gleaned from focus-group research and polling, these linguistic tweaks are...

Dow Ends Bleak Week Off 143

MARKETS

Jan 9, 2009 3:26 PM CST

Dow Ends Bleak Week Off 143

Index down 4.8% since Monday

(Newser) - Stocks posted losses today as news that US unemployment hit 7.2% moved the markets to the finish of a dismal week, MarketWatch reports. The Dow lost 143.28 to close at 8,599.18, with losses perhaps limited because investors were expecting the bad jobs news. The Nasdaq fell...

Get Behind President—but Don't Idolize Him: Noonan

OPINION

Jan 9, 2009 11:42 AM CST

Get Behind President—but Don't Idolize Him: Noonan

Speaking truth to power, not getting tongue-tied, more important now than ever

(Newser) - When Barack Obama spoke of his stimulus plan yesterday, he did it with authenticity and optimism, saying Americans could and would fix this mess. Peggy Noonan agrees. “This is not a nation of 300 million people on a morphine drip,” she writes in the Wall Street Journal. Noonan...

Obama's Cure Not Potent Enough for Economic Ills

OPINION

Jan 9, 2009 5:50 AM CST

Obama's Cure Not Potent Enough for Economic Ills

Call for bold action on economy followed by plan that falls a long way short

(Newser) - Barack Obama's call for aggressive action on the economy hasn’t been backed up by a plan bold enough to do the job, Paul Krugman writes in the New York Times. Plunging levels of investment and consumer spending will leave a gap of around $2 trillion between what America produces...

Dems Don't Like Obama Tax Cuts

Jan 9, 2009 5:35 AM CST

Dems Don't Like Obama Tax Cuts

Hill leaders doubt plan's stimulus power, say prez-elect trying too hard to woo GOP

(Newser) - Barack Obama's proposed tax cuts are opening a rift with his former congressional colleagues, the Hill reports. Democratic lawmakers are skeptical as to whether the cuts—which are 40% of the proposed stimulus package—will give the economy the necessary boost. Some think the president-elect is trying too hard to...

$800B Stimulus Too Much for GOP, Too Little for Dems

Jan 8, 2009 3:14 PM CST

$800B Stimulus Too Much for GOP, Too Little for Dems

Adding to already-enormous debt worries Republicans; excess of caution has other side jumpy

(Newser) - The GOP responded today to Barack Obama’s calls for immediate action on the economy, cautioning that too bold a move could have dire consequences, the Hill reports. “Let’s not use the obvious need as a way to make the problem worse,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch...

Obama Pitch:
We're Doomed
Without Stimulus

UPDATED

Jan 8, 2009 10:42 AM CST

Obama Pitch: We're Doomed Without Stimulus

(Newser) - Barack Obama went for the hard sell today, making the case for his huge stimulus plan. “I don't believe it's too late to change course,” Obama said in a speech at George Mason University, “but it will be if we don't take dramatic action as soon as...