Our Manifesto

Guerrilla Economics
To all of our clients and friends, best wishes for a wonderful and prosperous New Year. With the coming year, we are certain to see more state level tax increases......read more.

From our Friends at the Public Affairs Council
Public Affairs Council President, Doug Pinkham had an excellent post in his blog last week (see http://pac.org/blog). In it he set out a top ten list of public affairs trends for 2010.

I thought that this was an excellent set of points to keep in mind.....read more.

InSights: Rainy Day People
Government actions are best when they are based on data, sound methods, and a thorough examination of alternatives.

These factors do not appear to apply to current government responses to what has been labeled “climate change.”....read more.

On The Economy
Leave it to The Monkees to describe the current situation in the US housing market –

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday, Charcoal Burning Everywhere, Rows of Houses That Are All The Same, And No One Seems to Care....read more.

John Dunham and Associates

For the last 25 years, JDA has been articulating the economic impact of legislation on both sides of the agenda. Clients work with us because of the actionable insights we provide for them. The wins they enjoy from our unique economic impact studies and approach to related research has helped our clients reduce their tax burdens, eliminate marketing restrictions and negotiate complex settlements.

We concentrate on unique issues and objectives in order to provide effective economic analyses that help advance policy objectives while mitigating risks and threats. We are experts at translating complex economic concepts into easily understandable messages for any audience. We provide cover and materials to sway legislative votes.

We are the winning side of economics.

Current Economic News

Reuters: U.S.

Reuters.com is your source for breaking news, business, financial and investing news, including personal finance and stocks. Reuters is the leading global provider of news, financial information and technology solutions to the world's media, financial institutions, businesses and individuals.

Jackson doctor pleads not guilty in singer's death
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The doctor hired to care for Michael Jackson was charged on Monday with killing the pop star after a lengthy investigation that found a lethal cocktail of drugs in the singer's system when he died last year.

Toyota sued in California by U.S. shareholders
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Toyota faced its first U.S. class-action lawsuits stemming from complaints of faulty brakes in its top-selling Prius hybrid car and from investors claiming they were misled about problems with unintended acceleration in a wide range of models.

Weather closes government offices a second day
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal government agencies in the capital region will remain closed for a second day on Tuesday as residents brace for another blizzard while trying to clean up from a weekend storm that paralyzed the area with two feet of snow.
...

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

Personal Income and Outlays, December 2009
Personal income increased $44.5 billion, or 0.4 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $45.9 billion, or 0.4 percent, in December, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $22.6 billion, or 0.2 percent. In November, personal income increased $61.1 billion, or 0.5 percent, DPI increased $60.7 billion, or...
Gross Domestic Product, 4th quarter 2009 (advance estimate)
Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States -- increased at an annual rate of 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009, (that is, from the third quarter to the fourth quarter), according to the "advance"...
U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: November 2009
The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce, announced today that total November exports of $138.2 billion and imports of $174.6 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $36.4 billion, up from $33.2 billion in October, revised. November exports were $1.2 billion...

FRB: Press Release - All Releases

All recent press releases from the Federal Reserve Board

Federal Reserve offers $50 billion in 28-day credit through its Term Auction Facility
Federal Reserve offers $50 billion in 28-day credit through its Term Auction Facility
Regulators issue statement on lending to creditworthy small businesses
Regulators issue statement on lending to creditworthy small businesses
Written agreement with Citizens Bancshares and The Citizens Bank of Edmond
Written agreement with Citizens Bancshares and The Citizens Bank of Edmond

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Office of Communication Media Relations

CDC Study Finds One in Five American Youths Have Abnormal Lipid Levels
Twenty percent of young people aged 12-19 years in the United States have at least one abnormal lipid level, according to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Abnormal lipid levels are major risk factors for heart disease, the leading cause of death among adults in the United States.
NEWS BRIEFING: U.S. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO HAITI EARTHQUAKE
PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI – The U. S. government will hold two media briefings on Monday, January 18, 2010, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
CDC awards $2.7 million for two new Preparedness Research Centers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded $2.7 million to establish two new Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Centers (PERRCs).

Busted

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its projections for Federal spending, revenues and the deficit for fiscal years 2010 through 2019.

Over this period, the Federal debt is projected to increase by an additional $6.7 trillion; from an already staggering $12,302,465,487,917 (Yes the Federal Reserve tracks it to the penny.)

Under Pressure

Pressure pressing down on me...Splits a family in two, puts people on streets..."

As the recession eases across that United States and the Swine Flu fizzles out, the pundits and press have pushed their next big scare story – the growing army of long-term unemployed.

The media call these people unemployed and underemployed workers, a term which basically includes those who are working, but whose skill levels are higher than those demanded by their jobs, and those working in part-time jobs who might prefer full time employment.

Gerry’s Mander

Elbridge Gerry, the governor of Massachusetts signed a bill in 1812 that redistricted his state to benefit his party. One of the resulting contorted districts was said to resemble a salamander – hence the term Gerrymander.

Gerrymandering is generally considered as a tool to ensure that incumbents are re-elected to their seats with as little effort as possible.