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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Budget

News                                                                                                                             
WSJ | Business Leaders Spooked by 'Fiscal Cliff'
Fears about Washington's inability to avoid looming tax increases and spending cuts have eclipsed concerns about Europe's debt crisis, top business executives said Tuesday, worrying that political gridlock might tip the economy into recession next year.
CNN Money | Obama brings CEOs in for fiscal cliff talks
President Obama will meet with some unusual potential allies Wednesday -- CEOs of some of the nation's biggest companies.
WSJ | Greece Avoids Default With T-Bill Auction
Cash-strapped Greece on Tuesday raised the money it needs to avoid default when a Treasury bill matures later this week, but investor nerves are unlikely to be calmed as negotiations for the next slice of much-needed aid continue.
Market Watch | U.S. runs $120 billion deficit in October
As the White House and Congress inch closer to talks on a deal to tackle the federal budget deficit, the red ink continued to flow in October, according to the latest government data released on Tuesday.
Washington Times | Opening the door to a fiscal deal
Before the election ballots were fully counted last week, equity markets were sending President Obama a blunt vote of no confidence.

Blogs                                                                                                                             
Keith Hennessey | The President sends mixed signals on the fiscal cliff
My interpretation was far from unique.  Several other observers drew similar conclusions from the President’s apparent constructive ambiguity. It appeared the President was, in reaction to Speaker Boehner, leaving the door open to a deal that raised taxes on the rich but did not raise their tax rates.
Think Markets | Fiscal Cliff: Sense and Nonsense
Nothing significant will happen to improve the US fiscal situation until the impact of the fiscal situation truly becomes a crisis with sharp economic effects. Too bad. It does not have to be that way.
WSJ | Fiscal Health of States Shows Growing Divergence
While the overall financial health of U.S. states is modestly improving, there’s a growing disparity between strong and weak states, a report from asset manager Conning said.
National Review | U.S. Net Financial Position Continues to Worsen
Last week, I mentioned that, considering the explosion in spending that we face, the president and Congress will have some tough choices to make if we want our fiscal outlook to improve.