Economy Congress Divided Over Courts Fixing Foreclosures March 31, 2009 • Democrats in Washington want to use the bankruptcy courts to try to help a lot of those homeowners on the verge of foreclosure. Republicans, however, oppose allowing bankruptcy judges to set new loan terms.
National Youth Job Seekers Also Hungry For Work March 31, 2009 • Last week, hundreds of young people from the Washington, D.C., area were on foot at the the 2009 Summer Youth Job Expo. Youth, ages 14 to 21, came with resumes in hand hoping to earn money and gain work experience in industries ranging from health care and the arts, to media and construction trades. Participants share their ambitions.
Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets Congress Ponders Curbs On Credit Card Costs March 31, 2009 • Consumer groups complain that a lot of credit card issuers charge hefty fees and high interest rates. This week, congressional committees will take up legislation that would force the card companies to change the way they operate.
Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets Laid Off, But College Costs Keep Adding Up March 31, 2009 • Dean and Terry Stanton have two sons in college, and their daughter is planning to start in the fall. They had the financing all figured out until a couple of months ago. The Stantons talk with Renee Montagne about how they are juggling college costs now that Dean has been laid off from his job in Silicon Valley.
Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets Obama Seeks To Change Federal Student Loans March 30, 2009 • President Obama's higher education agenda includes major changes to the federal student loan program and a push to make Pell grants for lower income students an entitlement. Similar proposals were pushed by Presidents Bush and Clinton. But they went nowhere on Capitol Hill. So is this the year they will finally pass?
Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets Colleges Work Harder To Lure New Students March 30, 2009 • A down economy usually means a bump in enrollment at colleges and universities: Applications tend to go up as job prospects go down. But in this recession, private colleges especially are finding themselves working harder to fill freshman classes.
Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets Cigar-Makers Up In Arms Over Tax Increase March 30, 2009 • On April 1, the largest single increase in the federal tobacco tax will take effect. Cigarette taxes will go from 39 cents to $1.01, while the tax on cigars will go from 5 to 40 cents per cigar. In Tampa, Fla., once called the "cigar capital of the world," cigar-makers say the increase will be devastating to the industry.
National Did Builder's Clout Trap Couple In Dream Home? March 28, 2009 • Bob and Jane Cull's house in Texas was built by one of the most powerful and politically connected homebuilders in the country — and it was defective. They're now 13 years into a legal odyssey, and still have no recompense.
Politics Rep. Visclosky's Tale Shows Pork Is Hard To Trim March 27, 2009 • If it seems that Congress can't keep those special provisions knows as earmarks under control, there are big reasons why. Follow Democratic Rep. Peter Visclosky's earmark trail to Northwest Indiana and see where the money goes.
Economy Counting Stimulus Jobs Is No Easy Task March 27, 2009 • When President Obama signed the $787 billion stimulus bill, he promised it would create or save 3.5 million jobs. Federal and state officials are ramping up efforts to count those jobs, but it won't be easy. In the past, government agencies have used different approaches. What's needed now is a yardstick.
Planet Money Would You Buy A Used Toxic Asset From This Man? March 27, 2009 • The Treasury's new plan to buy up to $1 trillion in toxic assets that are weighing down bank balance sheets can be a bit complex. But think of it as a used-car deal, and you can begin to understand how it might work.
The Money Map March 26, 2009 • In Morning Edition's occasional series, reporters around the country examine how global economic forces are shaping the economy in some of America's hometowns.
Sales Offer Consumers An Out If Hard Times Hit March 25, 2009 • As companies try to jump-start sales in a sour economy, many are offering risk-free deals to consumers: Purchase their products, and if you get laid off, you're off the hook.
Economy Is Buying Toxic Assets The Answer? March 24, 2009 • President Obama unveiled the Public Private Investment Plan yesterday. Under this plan, the federal government will take over the toxic assets of U.S. banks. Money coach Alvin Hall discusses the mechanics of the Public Private Investment Plan, and how it will affect consumers.
Opinion From Our Listeners What Would You Never Sell? March 23, 2009 • Columnist Mary Schmich of The Chicago Tribune recently asked her readers, "What wouldn't you sell if times got so tough you had to sell some belongings?" Schmich shares some of the responses, and listeners talk about the one thing they would never sell, no matter how hard times got.