As a conservative economist, I might be expected to oppose a stimulus plan. In fact, on The Washington Post op-ed page in October, I declared my support for a stimulus. But the fiscal package now before Congress needs to be thoroughly revised. In its current form, it does too little to raise national spending and employment. It would be better for the Senate to delay legislation for a month, or even two, if that's what it takes to produce a much better bill. ...more

February 1, 2009

"I don't believe it's too late to change course, but it will be if we don't take dramatic action as soon as possible. If nothing is done, this recession could linger for years." ...more

January 12, 2009

Factory orders dropped by more than three times as much as analysts expected in September as the U.S. manufacturing sector continues to suffer from the economic downturn. ...more

November 5, 2008

U.S. factories saw a surprisingly hefty increase in their orders for big-ticket products in July, reflecting continued strength in export sales and a boost to business investment from the government's tax stimulus package. ...more

August 28, 2008

If you get a pay envelope, Uncle Sam's about to put a little something extra in it. Then he wants you to go out and spend, spend, spend. ...more

January 25, 2008

In trying to assemble a bipartisan package to jolt the slumping economy, the White House and Congress have turned to familiar tools that experts say have worked in the past. But there is also a lively debate among economists about which measures will best accomplish the goal. ...more

January 19, 2008

As he provided common-sense guidance for a stimulus package to fight recession, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke tacitly acknowledged the end of his effort to stay out of fiscal policy specifics. ...more

January 18, 2008