Obama: Overhaul Nation’s Regulatory System

It’s apparent that many factors contributed to the economic crisis, but one of the biggest problems “was that our economy was left exposed regulations that were out of date and regulators who weren’t minding the store.” On Wednesday, President Obama laid out seven key principles for transforming the nation’s regulatory system: Enforce strict oversight of … Read more

HUD Sends 75% of Stimulus Money to State and Local Agencies

The $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009, signed into law last week by President Obama, provided $13.61 billion for projects and programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD announced on Wednesday that nearly 75% of those funds – $10.1 billion – has already been allocated to create green … Read more

A Breakdown of Stimulus Spending

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009 – A breakdown of the stimulus package spending The $787 billion stimulus package signed into law by President Obama last week: Tax relief: $288 billion total, including $15 billion for infrastructure and science, $61 billion for protecting the vulnerable, $25 billion for education and training, and $22 billion for … Read more

Stock Market Closes Down For the Week on Friday

The continuing slide on Wall Street reflects growing concerns that Obama’s $787 billion stimulus package, a $75 billion foreclosure prevention plan, and up to $2 trillion to stabilizing banks and to support lending just won’t be enough to stop the downward economic spiral. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped on Friday, closing at a six-year … Read more

Stanford Financial Charged with $8 Billion Fraud

The Securities and Exchange Commission reported Tuesday that it has charged Robert Allen Stanford from Texas and three of his companies for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme centering on an $8 billion CD program. The affiliate companies within Stanford Financial Group that are alleged to be involved in the fraud include Antiguan-based Stanford International Bank, Houston-based … Read more

Another Scam Mortgage Foreclosure Rescue Company

The Federal Trade Commission reported on Wednesday that they’ve charged a mortgage foreclosure “rescue” operation with violating the FTC Act by falsely claiming that they would stop foreclosure or fully refund the consumer’s money. A federal court ordered a halt to the alleged practices and froze the defendants’ assets pending trial. Many people who paid … Read more

Congress Compromises on Stimulus Package

The House and the Senate reached a compromise this afternoon on the much anticipated American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. Lawmakers found a middle ground to settle the differences in the Senate’s version of the bill with a $838 billion price tag passed just yesterday, and the House version calling for $819 billion that was passed … Read more