Using words like "sluggish" and "deteriorated," Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave a starkly pessimistic assessment of the nation's economy Thursday and signaled that the Fed will cut interest rate cuts further if needed to combat the adverse effects of a prolonged housing slump and a severe credit crisis. ...more

February 15, 2008

The firestorm over U.S. Ginny Brown-Waite's remark calling Puerto Ricans "foreign citizens" grew so hot this week that Brown-Waite finally responded with a statement late Thursday. ...more

February 8, 2008

Puerto Ricans waiting for an apology from U.S. Ginny Brown-Waite shouldn't get their hopes up. ...more

February 5, 2008

The House voted Tuesday to rush rebates of $600 to $1,200 to most taxpayers, but a partisan battle brewed in the Senate over Democrats' efforts to add jobless aid and help for the poor to the economic stimulus package. ...more

January 30, 2008

A top Senate Democrat unveiled a $156 billion economic stimulus package on Monday that awards rebates to senior citizens living off Social Security and extends unemployment benefits, setting up a clash with the White House and House leaders pushing a narrower package. ...more

January 29, 2008

Reform Immigration Regarding "Bush Calls For Quick Tax Relief" (front page, Jan. 19): ...more

January 27, 2008

When people are panicking, it's hard to stop the stampede with talk about cutting a "federal funds rate." Economic fears on Wall Street and around the world are making people and businesses hunker down, and that could make recession worries come true - a vicious cycle the Federal Reserve, White House and Congress may be hard-pressed to break. ...more

January 23, 2008

With Hillsborough County residents hurting from a collapsing real estate market and stalled development, the county commission is considering a limited economic stimulus package, including halving impact fees. ...more

January 17, 2008