News
National Journal | House GOP Readying New Strategy on Highway Bill
House Republican leaders are mulling a significant retreat from their stalled $260 billion highway bill -- including shifting away from a five-year reauthorization to a version that would kick longer-term decisions to a new Congress, a senior House GOP aide said on Thursday.
Bloomberg | U.K. Economy Shrank in Fourth Quarter as Companies Scaled Back Investment
The U.K. economy shrank in the fourth quarter as companies scaled back investment, underlining the risks to a recovery that Bank of England Governor Mervyn King says will be “slow and uncertain.”
CNN Money | Bank of America to freeze pension plans
Bank of America announced plans Thursday to freeze pension plans, effective in July, and increase its 401(k) contributions instead.
Bloomberg | Consumer Comfort Highest in Almost Four Years
Consumer confidence in the U.S. increased last week to the highest level since April 2008 as more Americans had a favorable view of their finances.
Econ Comments & Analysis
NBER | Reducing Petroleum Consumption from Transportation
This paper examines the main channels through which reductions in U.S. oil consumption might take place
Heritage Foundation | High Gas Prices: Obama's Half-Truths vs. Reality
The national average for gas prices is almost $3.60 per gallon, increasing 40 cents from a year ago and jumping 20 cents from just one month ago.
CNN Money | Why the mortgage settlement is a fair deal
Earlier this month, I was proud to join Attorney General Eric Holder, colleagues from across the federal government, and 49 state attorneys general to announce a historic mortgage servicing settlement on behalf of American homeowners
Market Watch | Obama: No quick fixes to rising gas prices
President Barack Obama on Thursday said there was no silver bullet to bring down high gas prices as Republicans sought to pin the blame on the White House for the rising prices.
Washington Times | Red dragon in North American oil patch
Of the three shale plays that are transforming American onshore oil and gas production, the Eagle Ford in South Texas is perhaps the least well-known outside the industry.
WSJ | America's 'Unbanked' Masses
Fewer Americans have access to traditional banking services such as checking accounts, consumer loans and credit cards than they did five years ago.
Washington Times | Obama budget’s backdoor amnesty
President Obama’s fiscal 2013 budget came out this month and again includes the same spending, borrowing and taxing policies that have come to define his presidency.
