Category Archives: Administrative

Congress Passes Payroll Tax Cut –

Posted on 19. February 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Congress passed a measure to extend the payroll tax cut for the remainder of 2012.  The measure passed the House 293-132 and the Senate 60 -36.  In the Senate, 14 Republicans voted for the measure and 5 Democrats and 1 Independent … Continue reading →

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Payroll Tax Floor Vote –

Posted on 16. February 2012 by Jim Sutliff

The House and Senate could vote on the payroll tax deal as early as Friday.  Four Democratic Senators and all 13 House Representatives at the payroll tax conference signed the agreement.  Republic Senators did not sign the agreement but that should not … Continue reading →

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Republicans Propose Payroll Tax Cut Extension –

Posted on 13. February 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Republican leaders in the House are supporting the extension of the payroll tax cut without reductions in spending.  This clears a major hurdle in negotiations to extend the payroll tax cut which applies to 160 million workers.  The payroll tax … Continue reading →

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Trade Deficit Increases –

Posted on 13. January 2012 by Jim Sutliff

According to the Commerce Department, the U.S. trade deficit increased by 10.4% to 47.8 billion in November.  The increase was larger than economists had expected and was the widest trade deficit since June.  Petroleum products accounted for a significant amount of the increase in … Continue reading →

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U.S. Factory Output & Jobs Improve –

Posted on 7. January 2012 by Jim Sutliff

The Institute of Supply Management’s factory index rose to 53.9 for the month of December.  The increase marked the fastest that U.S. manufacturing has expanded in the last 6 months.  The jobs report also showed gains for the month of December.  … Continue reading →

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Obama To Nominate Federal Reserve Governors –

Posted on 27. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Obama is set to nominate Jeremy Stein and Jerome Powell to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.   Jeremy Stein has worked as an advisor to the Treasury secretary during the Obama administration.  Jerome Powell worked at the Treasury during the term … Continue reading →

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House Set To Approve Payroll Tax Cut –

Posted on 22. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

House Republicans are set to approve a two month extension of the payroll tax cut.  House Republican John Boehner has come to an agreement with Democratic Senator Harry Reid.  The agreement would extend the tax cut for two months and begin … Continue reading →

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Italian GDP Contracts –

Posted on 21. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Italian third quarter Gross Domestic Product has fallen 0.2% from the second quarter.  This may mark the fifth recession for the Italian economy since 2001.  Although exports grew 1.6%, consumer spending declined 0.2% and investment contracted 0.6%.  In addition, Italy has taken steps … Continue reading →

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Payroll Tax Cut Extension –

Posted on 17. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Senate passed a two month extension of the payroll tax cut.  On Saturday, the measure passed the Senate with a vote of 89-10.  The payroll tax cut amounts to a two percent drop from 6.2% to 4.2%.   An increase in fees … Continue reading →

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Euro Trades Lower –

Posted on 14. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Euro fell below $1.30 in afternoon trading on Wednesday.  The Euro has not traded below $1.30 since mid-January of this year.  Traders are watching Standard & Poor’s for any indications of sovereign debt downgrades.  France is one of the … Continue reading →

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Budget Deal –

Posted on 12. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Republican and Democratic officials have agreed on a spending bill through October 1st 2012.  Specific details of the agreement are expected to be released on Tuesday.  The measure still requires approval of the Senate and the House of Representatives.  The current spending bill … Continue reading →

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Payroll Tax Bill Blocked By Senate –

Posted on 8. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

A measure supported by the Democrats that would cut the payroll tax was blocked in the Senate.  The bill only received 50 votes and needed 60 votes to move forward.  The payroll tax on the first $110,100 would have fallen to 3.1% from … Continue reading →

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Barney Frank To Retire –

Posted on 28. November 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Congressman Barney Frank has announced that he will not seek another term. Frank has been in Congress for 16 terms and was expected to retire in 2014. Redistricting played a role in his decision to retire in 2012. Newly drawn congressional maps shifted his district … Continue reading →

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Euro Zono Fiscal Policy –

Posted on 27. November 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The integration of fiscal policy is an important step for Euro zone countries in solving their debt crisis.  A recent plan would utilize bilateral agreements instead of changing European Union treaties.  Bilateral agreements could make implemention of fiscal policy changes faster than the time … Continue reading →

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Belgium Downgraded –

Posted on 25. November 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Standard and Poor’s downgraded Belguim debt to AA.  The downgrade forced the 10 year yield to 5.832% in Friday trading.  Belgium debt started the week trading at 4.817%. To read a related Reuters article, please click here: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/25/us-belgium-sp-idUSTRE7AO1F220111125 James Sutliff

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