NPR Topics: Economy http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1017&ft=1&f=1017 NPR news on the U.S. and world economy, the World Bank, and Federal Reserve. Commentary on economic trends. Subscribe to NPR Economy podcasts and RSS feeds. en Copyright 2010 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 06:01:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Economy http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1017&ft=1&f=1017 Officials: Obama To Back New Infrastructure Plan Administration officials say President Obama will call for new investments in the nation's roads, railways and airports that would cost at least $50 billion. Mon, 06 Sep 2010 06:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129676819&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129676819&ft=1&f=1017 Administration officials say President Obama will call for new investments in the nation's roads, railways and airports that would cost at least $50 billion.

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]]> Why Aren't Employers Hiring? The unemployment rate rose to 9.6 percent last month, with big political implications ahead of November elections. If the job market is ever to improve, employers will have to start feeling a lot more confident about where the economy is going. So what will it take for them to create jobs? Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:53:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129679149&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129679149&ft=1&f=1017 The unemployment rate rose to 9.6 percent last month, with big political implications ahead of November elections. If the job market is ever to improve, employers will have to start feeling a lot more confident about where the economy is going. So what will it take for them to create jobs?

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]]> As Clock Ticks, Lawmakers Revisit Bush Tax Cuts The debate over President Bush's 2001 and 2003 tax cuts heats up this fall as Congress considers the marginal rate reductions, estate tax relief and lower rates on investment income set to expire Jan. 1. At stake: trillions of dollars and tax-cutting reputations heading into the midterm elections. Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129605962&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129605962&ft=1&f=1017 The debate over President Bush's 2001 and 2003 tax cuts heats up this fall as Congress considers the marginal rate reductions, estate tax relief and lower rates on investment income set to expire Jan. 1. At stake: trillions of dollars and tax-cutting reputations heading into the midterm elections.

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]]> Series Overview: Bush Tax Cuts And Beyond The clock is ticking on one of President Bush's most controversial legacies. The tax cut packages enacted in 2001 and 2003 will soon expire. In a new series, NPR lays out the policy and politics behind the debate to extend them, and looks at how taxes affect individuals, corporations and states. Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:30:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129636881&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129636881&ft=1&f=1017 The clock is ticking on one of President Bush's most controversial legacies. The tax cut packages enacted in 2001 and 2003 will soon expire. In a new series, NPR lays out the policy and politics behind the debate to extend them, and looks at how taxes affect individuals, corporations and states.

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]]> Next Up For The Economy: Small-Business Tax Cuts? This is an unsettled time in the American economy. Last week, the stock market rose, but so did the unemployment rate. The nation lost jobs overall, but the number of private-sector jobs was up.  One thing everyone can agree on, though: The recovery has slowed. And this week, President Obama will unveil a new economic package including tax cuts for small businesses. The price tag: as high as $300 billion. Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:11:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129666977&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129666977&ft=1&f=1017 This is an unsettled time in the American economy. Last week, the stock market rose, but so did the unemployment rate. The nation lost jobs overall, but the number of private-sector jobs was up.  One thing everyone can agree on, though: The recovery has slowed. And this week, President Obama will unveil a new economic package including tax cuts for small businesses. The price tag: as high as $300 billion.

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]]> Jobs Report A Wash; Obama Opts For Half-Full Spin The latest jobs report had good news and bad news. Private job growth was up, but the economy still lost another 54,000 jobs overall last month. Host Liane Hansen talks to NPR's Scott Horsley and Yuki Noguchi about the unemployment numbers released Friday, the White House's reaction and the president's upcoming trip to Wisconsin. Sun, 05 Sep 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129662788&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129662788&ft=1&f=1017 The latest jobs report had good news and bad news. Private job growth was up, but the economy still lost another 54,000 jobs overall last month. Host Liane Hansen talks to NPR's Scott Horsley and Yuki Noguchi about the unemployment numbers released Friday, the White House's reaction and the president's upcoming trip to Wisconsin.

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]]> Auto Sales Stall After Incentives Flood Market The U.S. auto industry posted dismal sales last month and prices for used cars have jumped. Host Liane Hansen talks with Micheline Maynard, editor for <em>Changing Gears</em>, a new public radio project that looks at the future of the industrial Midwest. Sun, 05 Sep 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129662800&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129662800&ft=1&f=1017 The U.S. auto industry posted dismal sales last month and prices for used cars have jumped. Host Liane Hansen talks with Micheline Maynard, editor for Changing Gears, a new public radio project that looks at the future of the industrial Midwest.

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]]> On Jobs, U.S. Ranks Worse Than Similar Nations The U.S. unemployment rate surged far higher and has remained higher than in other major industrial countries. It's now at 9.6 percent. The big shift came when American companies cut workers more aggressively than foreign firms in the face of the financial crisis. Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129638136&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129638136&ft=1&f=1017 The U.S. unemployment rate surged far higher and has remained higher than in other major industrial countries. It's now at 9.6 percent. The big shift came when American companies cut workers more aggressively than foreign firms in the face of the financial crisis.

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]]> Sputtering Recovery Prompts More Tinkering Job growth this past spring had the Obama administration hopeful that the recovery would be more stable by Labor Day. Not so. And so Obama Friday renewed his call for the Senate to act on legislation to reduce taxes for small business. He promised more initiatives would be unveiled next week. Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129647690&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129647690&ft=1&f=1017 Job growth this past spring had the Obama administration hopeful that the recovery would be more stable by Labor Day. Not so. And so Obama Friday renewed his call for the Senate to act on legislation to reduce taxes for small business. He promised more initiatives would be unveiled next week.

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]]> The Economy Gets Tough; The Tough Still Shop Reporter Jay Field visits a mall in Lincolnwood, Ill., to query consumers on their spending habits in the difficult economy. Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129647714&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129647714&ft=1&f=1017 Reporter Jay Field visits a mall in Lincolnwood, Ill., to query consumers on their spending habits in the difficult economy.

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]]> They'd Trade Labor Day For Days Of Labor Having no job means that things people talk about so much these days -- iPads, Android phones, 3-D movies, new music or meeting friends over $4 coffee drinks -- are just beyond reach. You worry about getting dull, having nothing to talk about and losing friends. You worry about life leaving you behind. Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129647232&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129647232&ft=1&f=1017 Having no job means that things people talk about so much these days -- iPads, Android phones, 3-D movies, new music or meeting friends over $4 coffee drinks -- are just beyond reach. You worry about getting dull, having nothing to talk about and losing friends. You worry about life leaving you behind.

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]]> Economic Recovery Still A Long Way Off The unemployment rate grew in August from 9.5 percent to 9.6 percent. But that's mostly because 114,000 temporary Census jobs ended. The job decline is less than most economists expected as the private sector added 67,000 new jobs last month. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129635602&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129635602&ft=1&f=1017 The unemployment rate grew in August from 9.5 percent to 9.6 percent. But that's mostly because 114,000 temporary Census jobs ended. The job decline is less than most economists expected as the private sector added 67,000 new jobs last month.

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]]> Economy Threatens Ohio Democrat's Re-Election The Stark County Fair in northeastern Ohio features poultry and pie, a headless lady and a midway. Fairgoers this year were also treated to a good bit of politicking, as freshman Democrat Rep. John Boccieri fights to hold onto the 16th district. His vote for the president's health care bill is one point of contention. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129635614&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129635614&ft=1&f=1017 The Stark County Fair in northeastern Ohio features poultry and pie, a headless lady and a midway. Fairgoers this year were also treated to a good bit of politicking, as freshman Democrat Rep. John Boccieri fights to hold onto the 16th district. His vote for the president's health care bill is one point of contention.

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]]> Obama To Offer Plan To Spur Job Growth As summer comes to an end this weekend, "Recovery Summer" too sputters to an end. The Obama administration's hopes that the spring's jobs growth would continue were not realized. On Friday, the president said he'd be proposing new plans to give the economy a bit more juice. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129635630&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129635630&ft=1&f=1017 As summer comes to an end this weekend, "Recovery Summer" too sputters to an end. The Obama administration's hopes that the spring's jobs growth would continue were not realized. On Friday, the president said he'd be proposing new plans to give the economy a bit more juice.

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]]> Allowance Economics: Candy, Taxes And Potty Training It's hard to get incentives right -- even if you're a professional economist, and you just want to give your kid an allowance. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:45:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2010/09/02/129604336/?ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2010/09/02/129604336/?ft=1&f=1017 It's hard to get incentives right -- even if you're a professional economist, and you just want to give your kid an allowance.

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