News
Bloomberg | Consumer Spending in U.S. Increases by Most in Three Months
Consumer spending in the U.S. rose in February by the most in three months as incomes increased, a sign that economic momentum was returning as Americans recovered from an unusually harsh winter.
FOX Business | Consumer Sentiment Ticks Higher in Late March
U.S. consumer sentiment fell in March as consumers were less hopeful about the prospects for the overall economy, a survey released on Friday showed.
CNN Money | Russia looks to Asia for trade cushion
As the United States and Europe threaten Russia with trade sanctions, Moscow is looking east to Asian countries that might act as an economic bulwark.
Bloomberg | Euro-Area Economic Confidence Increases More Than Expected
Euro-area economic confidence increased more than analysts forecast in March, easing pressure on the European Central Bank to take action next week to counter low inflation and spur growth.
WSJ | Firms' Profits Rise to Record High, Outpacing GDP Growth
U.S. corporate profits hit new highs last year, driven by the tight lid firms have kept on hiring and spending almost five years into the economic recovery.
Washington Times | More red tape: Obama imposes new greenhouse gas regulations
The White House announced plans Friday to impose more regulations to curb greenhouse gas emissions, including tighter rules on the coal and natural gas industries.
Econ Comments & Analysis
Real Clear Markets | Income-Inequality Whiners Are Today's Neo-Marxists
In testimony to Congress, Dr. Jared Bernstein was asked by Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) whether he was generally disposed to favor the statement, "from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs." Dr. Bernstein answered, apparently in earnest, that he viewed the statement "generally favorably."
WSJ | The Wrong Remedy for Fannie and Freddie
More than five years after a mortgage mania led to a global financial crisis rivaling the Great Depression, Washington is finally turning to home-loan finance reform.
Heritage Foundation | Red Tape Rising: Five Years of Regulatory Expansion
The Obama Administration is aggressively exploiting regulation to achieve its policy agenda, issuing 157 new major rules at a cost to Americans approaching $73 billion annually.
Blogs
CATO | Could Vice President Biden Help Save the Administration’s Trade Agenda?
Francisco Sanchez, former undersecretary of Commerce for international trade in President Obama’s first term, commented on the administration’s trade efforts in a March 21 article in Politico. His view is that the president will need to get directly involved in making the case for liberalization if he wants his trade agenda to succeed.
Heritage Foundation | Cruz’s Energy Bill a Win for Economy, Taxpayers, and Free Markets
Over the past few years, energy production has been one of the bright spots in the American economy. The U. S. is now the world’s largest natural gas producer and will soon be the world’s largest oil producer. Senator Ted Cruz’s (R–Texas) American Energy Renaissance Act, along with its companion bill introduced in the House by Representative Jim Bridenstine (R–Okla.), will help this sector shine even brighter.
