"You never want a serious crisis to go to waste," sayeth Rahm. Opportunistic and cynical, yes. But also savvy political counsel that transformational presidents have always followed. ...more

February 4, 2009

Americans Receiving Jobless Benefits Hits Record WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of people receiving unemployment benefits has reached the highest level on records that go back more than 40 years, the government said Thursday, and more layoffs are spreading throughout the economy. ...more

February 1, 2009

Highlights of the $819 billion economic recovery plan drafted by House Democrats and President Barack Obama's economic team. Additional debt costs would add $347 billion over 10 years. Many provisions expire in two years. ...more

January 28, 2009

House Republicans are stiffening their resistance to the magnitude of spending in the plan developed by House Democrats on Obama's behalf to create or save more than 3 million jobs. In the Republican response to the president's address, Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, the House minority leader, called for deeper tax cuts instead. ...more

January 25, 2009

Newly unemployed Americans will have to spend about 30 percent of their jobless benefits on average to pay for health insurance through their former employer, according to a new report. ...more

January 10, 2009

obama and congressional leaders work on tax cuts now reaching $300 billion ...more

January 5, 2009

Florida legislators begin their search Monday for areas to carve $2.3 billion from the current state budget during a two-week special session brought on by the economic crisis. ...more

January 4, 2009

Stocks Extend Advance In Year's Final Session NEW YORK (AP) - Wall Street saw a merciful end to a dreadful year Wednesday as stocks closed the last session of 2008 with a sizable advance. ...more

January 4, 2009

Rick E. Rockwell plopped his large frame down in front of his laptop, next to a foot-wide sheaf of unpaid bills still in their envelopes, lined up like an accordion on his desk. He logged into his bank account to see if his unemployment check had been deposited yet. ...more

December 29, 2008

New claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, the government said Wednesday. ...more

December 25, 2008