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Senator Mitch McConnell at a news conference on Capitol Hill, Nov. 16, 2010. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Prospects for a comprehensive bill to fund the U.S. government appeared to dim Thursday after Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said he would not support the measure.
McConnell’s statement could indicate waning Republican support for a bill that would fund everything from national parks to the military through September 2011.
That could force Democrats to fund government operations on a temporary basis, either for a few months or the rest of the fiscal year, an approach that makes it difficult for government agencies to launch new programs or close out old ones. Get the full story »
Former Obama car czar Steven Rattner has agreed to pay $6.2 million to settle federal charges over his role in a “pay-to-play” scandal, but says he won’t be “bullied” into accepting a harsher penalty from New York’s attorney general.
In this Sept. 20, 2010 photograph, people attend a job fair at a hotel in Boston. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New U.S. claims for jobless benefits barely rose last week and manufacturing activity in the country’s Mid-Atlantic region touched a near one-year high in November, more proof the economy was regaining momentum.
The improving economic picture also was enhanced by another report on Thursday showing a gauge of future activity increased 0.5 percent in October.
However, the data are not robust enough to deter the Federal Reserve from fully implementing its much criticized program to purchase $600 billion worth of government debt to push already low interest rates down to stimulate the economy. Get the full story »
Wal-Mart plans to open four stores in the District of Columbia, The Washington Post reported in its Thursday edition.
The retailer continues to move forward with plans to open smaller outlets in major metropolitan areas. In Chicago, Wal-Mart won approval for its second and third stores in Chicago in the middle of 2010. Get the full story »
The global economic recovery is losing steam in the face of a slowing U.S. rebound and tensions over currencies, and a debt crisis in Europe could trigger more weakness next year, the OECD said on Thursday. Get the full story »
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was briefing members of the Senate Banking Committee late Wednesday morning on the central bank’s controversial bond-buying plan, congressional aides said.
The U.S. central bank’s early November decision to launch a second round of large-scale asset purchases has led to a political backlash from Republicans who argue it is setting the ground for inflation and debasing the dollar. Get the full story »
(E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
The day started with the Chicago Cubs touting the support of Chicago area labor officials for its Wrigley Field renovation plan, but by afternoon key lawmakers in Springfield seemed to be splashing mud on the deal amid contradictory statements.
House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) told reporters in Springfield Tuesday afternoon that the team’s owners, the Ricketts family, withdrew its proposal to finance a $200 million stadium renovation with a state bond sale that would be repaid with the anticipated growth in the 12 percent amusement tax levied on tickets sold at Wrigley. Get the full story »
Federal Reserve officials, taken aback by stinging criticism of their decision to print money and buy $600 billion in Treasury bonds, are counterpunching to defend themselves and, in some cases, to reinforce their commitment to the policy.
Charles Evans, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and a strong supporter of the Fed’s easing policy, noted in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that the weak economy and low inflation warrants the Fed’s policy and that more such purchases might be needed in the months ahead if the economic outlook doesn’t turn.
“I would continue to want to apply accommodative monetary policy until I had some confidence that that situation was changing,” Evans said, noting that $600 billion is a “good place to start” the easing program. Get the full story »
Signage gets changed in the window at Broadway Bank at 5960 N. Broadway. The bank was seized by the FDIC on Friday, Apr. 21, 2010. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)
A regulatory autopsy into the April failure of Chicago’s Broadway Bank, which was owned by the family of failed U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias, faulted management for pursuing an aggressive growth strategy in commercial real estate.
A heavy emphasis on such lending was “exacerbated by the bank’s significant emphasis on out-of-territory lending and large borrower relationships,” according to a report released Tuesday by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.’s Office of Inspector General.
Although not a primary reason for its failure, the FDIC also cited Broadway’s investments in higher-risk collateralized debt obligations. Get the full story »
The United States needs to consider a European-style tax on consumption to help tackle the burgeoning U.S. deficit, a member of a presidential deficit panel said on Tuesday. Get the full story »
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says the administration remains opposed to a permanent extension of tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, something strongly favored by Republicans. He says it is critical for Congress to resolve the issue before the end of the year.
From Bloomberg | Chicago’s controversial parking meters deal, forced into effect by Mayor Richard Daley in 2008, has had many lessons for other cities considering their own parking meter agreements. Cities like Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles are considering options such as taking less money up front in favor of more total fees, and demanding exit clauses that let them end the lease.
