Economy

Economy

What Was Left Out Of 'Fiscal Cliff' Compromise?

11:16am January 02, 2013

Now that the nation has moved away from the "fiscal cliff," what's the next drama policymakers have in store? Nothing has been done with entitlements and spending cuts were delayed.

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What Does Senate Budget Deal Mean For You?

9:44am January 01, 2013

The Senate passed a measure early into the New Year, and now it's up to the house to vote on the deal, which will most likely happen by Wednesday. The measure cleared the Senate on an 89-8 vote, hours after V.P. Joe Biden and Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell sealed a deal.

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Could Post-Superstorm Sandy Rebuilding Energize The Economy?

7:55pm December 31, 2012

by Joel Rose

Some economists predict that the reconstruction from the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy will produce a stimulus effect for the U.S. economy in 2013 — especially in construction and related industries. Others say the losses associated with a storm will outweigh any positive effects from the rebuilding.

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Europe Fails To Stimulate Growth In 2012

12:52pm December 31, 2012

by Jim Zarroli

Europe spent much of this year trying to hold its common currency pact together. Greece, Spain, Italy and other countries flirted with disaster as interest rates spiked, forcing the debtor nations to accept austerity programs. The turmoil was bad enough to push much of the eurozone into recession.

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Economy

The Fiscal Cliff: A Love Story

5:46am December 31, 2012

by Alex Blumberg

Wonks from across the political spectrum look at the upside of the cliff.

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, leaves the Senate chamber to caucus in the Capitol on Sunday.

After Fruitless Weekend, Congress Still Seeks Fiscal Deal

5:46am December 31, 2012

by David Welna

Both the House and the Senate were in session Sunday evening, but a bipartisan push by Senate leaders fell short. Monday is the last day to avoid the tax hikes and spending cuts, though Congress may still reach a deal over the next few days.

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Despite huge protests at Michigan's state capitol building in Lansing, Republican lawmakers in the state made the union stronghold the 24th right-to-work state in the country.

A Tough Year For Unions, With Few Bright Spots Ahead

5:55pm December 30, 2012

by NPR Staff

This year, two states passed right-to-work laws, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker survived a recall attempt. Harold Meyerson of The American Prospect says the future for organized labor remains bleak.

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'Fiscal Cliff' Talks Temporarily Stall

5:55pm December 30, 2012

The deadline for the fiscal cliff is fast-approaching. NPR's David Welna is at the Capitol and talks with host Jacki Lyden about where congressional leaders are on a deal.

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Cautious Optimism For Behind-The-Scenes Fiscal Dealing

5:28pm December 29, 2012

The deadline for the so-called "fiscal cliff" is fast-approaching. The combination of automatic spending cuts and tax hikes go into effect in just three days. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with host Jacki Lyden about where congressional leaders are on a deal.

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Music-Streaming Services Hunt For Paying Customers

8:58am December 27, 2012

by Laura Sydell

Services like Pandora and Spotify have been trying to win over two types of customers: younger people who don't buy music at all and older people who still like physical albums. But it's been difficult to lure customers willing to pay for music they won't own or that they can find for free online.

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