Santorum Declares –

Rick Santorum announced that he will run for President in 2012.  The Republican served two terms in the U.S. Senate from 1995-2007.  Santorum is a fiscal and social conservative that should play well in early contests like Iowa and South Carolina. 

To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304432304576369101069730540.html?KEYWORDS=santorum

Jim Sutliff

Posted in 2012, Democrat, Election, Fundraising, General, Politics, Presidential, Republican | Leave a comment

Estate Tax Law –

Kiplinger’s has an article on the estate tax law and the portability feature.  The article also discusses the expiration of the current provision at the end of 2012.  In addition, the article provides examples of unintended consequences of the estate tax law. 

To read the Kiplinger’s article, please click here:

http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/krr-new-estate-tax-law-can-trap-the-unwary.html?topic_id=31

James Sutliff

Posted in 2012, Administrative, Democrat, Estate Tax, General, Politics, Regulatory, Republican, Tax | Leave a comment

Debt Ceiling Increase Voted Down –

A measure that would have increased the U.S. debt ceiling by $2.4 trillion was voted down in the House of Representatives.  The House voted 318-97 with 236 Republicans and 86 Democrats voting against the legislation.  For passage, the measure required 277 votes or two thirds of the members voting.  

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-31/u-s-house-defeats-debt-ceiling-measure-in-vote-democrats-call-a-charade-.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Democrat, Economy, General, Regulatory, Republican, Tax | Leave a comment

Trade Pacts And Programs –

Senator Max Baucus has tied the renewal of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program with trade deals for Korea, Columbia, and Panama.  The Senate Democrat is the Finance Committee Chairman and has the support of at least 41 Senators on this matter.  Republican Senators are open to providing additional funding for the Trade Assistance Program.  Trade pacts must be approved or rejected within 90 days under the fast track rules.

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/25/us-usa-trade-deals-idUSTRE74M4UD20110525

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Business, Congress, Economy, General, International, Politics, Presidential, Regulatory, Republican, Trade | Leave a comment

Pawlenty Announces Presidential Run –

Republican Tim Pawlenty has announced that he will run for President in 2012.  Pawlenty is the former Governor of Minnesota and may also face Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann for the Republican nomination.  Bachmann is scheduled  to appear at an event in Iowa on March 26th and may announce her candidacy.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-23/former-minnesota-governor-pawlenty-enters-12-republican-presidential-race.html

James Sutliff

Posted in 2012, DC, Election, Fundraising, General, Politics, Presidential, Republican | Leave a comment

SEC Proposals For Credit Rating Agencies –

The Securities and Exchange Commission will propose regulations for credit rating agencies to promote transparency.  Credit rating agencies came under fire after granting AAA ratings to mortgage securities backed by subprime loans.  Proposals address the internal controls and disclosures by credit rating agencies.  

To read a related MarketWatch article, please click here:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sec-seeks-to-limit-credit-rater-conflicts-2011-05-18

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Business, DC, Dodd-Frank, Economy, General, Regulatory, SEC | Leave a comment

Huckabee Won’t Run For President –

Republican Mike Huckabee has announced that he will not run for President in 2012.  Huckabee would have been one of the top Republican contenders for the White House.  Huckabee is popular among social conservatives and has a successful Fox News program. 

To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703421204576325141096108236.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLETopStories

To read a related Roll Call article, please click here:

http://www.rollcall.com/news/Huckabee-Not-Running-President-205621-1.html?pos=htmbtxt

James Sutliff

Posted in 2012, DC, Democrat, Election, Fundraising, General, Politics, Presidential, Republican | Leave a comment

Democratic Senator Kohl Not Running For Re-Election –

Democratic Senator Herbert Kohl has announced that will not seek re-election in 2012.  The Wisconsin Democrat first won the Senate seat in 1988.  Kohl is 76 years old and his retirement makes the seat very competitive.  Republicans now have an even stronger chance of winning a majority in the Senate.  Kohl is also the owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-13/democratic-senator-herbert-kohl-of-wisconsin-won-t-seek-re-election-in-12.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in 2012, Administrative, Congress, Democrat, Election, General, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

Wisconsin Borrowing Costs Drop –

Wisconsin borrowing costs are dropping and that may be a result of Republican Governor Scott Walker.  Governor Walker took on the unions and signed a bill limiting their collective bargaining power on March 11th.  The move is being well received by markets with the Wisconsin offering of $286  million of tax exempt debt costing less than the January offering.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-11/wisconsin-borrowing-costs-plunge-from-january-sale-municipal-credit.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Business, Democrat, Economy, General, Governor, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

Fannie Mae Shows Net Loss –

Fannie Mae reported a first quarter net loss of $6.5 billion and will request an additional $6.2 billion from the government.  Fannie Mae reported net income of $73 million in the last quarter. 

To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704810504576307551540613850.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_realestate

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Business, General, Infrastructure, Real Estate, Treasury | Leave a comment

Indiana Republican Mike Pence Enters Governor’s Race –

Republican congressman Mike Pence has announced that he will run for governor of Indiana in 2012.  The popular six term congressman is the favorite to win the seat and will help carry the state for the Republican Presidential candidate.  Indiana voted for the Democratic Presidential candidate in 2008 for the first time since 1964.  Obama won the state by a slim margin in 2008 and is polling behind potential GOP candidates for the 2012 election. 

To read a related Reuters article, please clcik here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/05/us-indiana-pence-idUSTRE74452H20110505

James Sutliff

Posted in 2012, Administrative, Congress, Democrat, Election, General, Governor, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

New Jersey Tunnel Funding –

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has indicated that the state will not return the $271 million in commuter rail tunnel funding to the federal government.  Recently, the Federal Transit Administration has added a fee for holding the funds that could amount to $2.71 million per year.  New Jersey cancelled the commuter rail tunnel project due to expected cost overruns. 

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-03/christie-says-new-jersey-won-t-repay-u-s-271-million-in-tunnel-funds.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Business, Democrat, General, Governor, Infrastructure, Politics, Regulatory, Republican | Leave a comment

Democrats Target Medicare Plan –

Senate Democrats are expected to vote on a house measure that would change Medicare benefits.  The move is an aggressive step by Senator Reid and Congressional Democrats.  Republicans have kept the Democrats on the defensive over the last few months regarding federal spending. 

To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703367004576289512909951274.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_health

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Business, Democrat, General, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Politics, Regulatory, Republican | Leave a comment

The Senate Landscape: 2012 & 2014 –

Roll Call has an article by Stuart Rothenberg that discusses the uneven Senate landscape of 2012 and 2014.  Although Democrats still control the Senate, Republicans have a very strong chance of hitting the 60 Senator mark in 2012 or 2014.  Republican gains will be partially due to the number of seats up for re-election in each cycle.  In 2012, 23 Democratic Senate seats are up for re-election and only 10 Republican seats are in play.  Democrats also face a disadvantage in 2014 with 20 Democrats and only 13 Republicans facing election.  In addition, many of the Democratic seats are located in traditionally Republican states.

To read the Roll Call article, please click here:

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_111/rothenberg-uneven-senate-landscape-2012-2014-204931-1.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in 2012, Administrative, Congress, DC, Democrat, Election, Fundraising, General, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

Federal Reserve To Finish Bond Purchases –

The Federal Reserve has announced that they will finish bond purchases in June.  The $600 billion of bond buying activity by the Fed was intended to spur the economy and was scheduled to end in June.  Also, a Federal Open Market Committee statement indicated that the economic recovery is moderate and that inflation should be temporary. 

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-27/fed-says-pace-of-u-s-recovery-is-moderate-bond-buying-will-end-in-june.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Business, Economy, Federal Reserve, General, Regulatory, Treasury | Leave a comment