Posted by Katharine Crnko
For Marketplace Morning Report, Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Today’s big stories were all centered around Obama’s announcement yesterday that an agreement had been reached to extend Bush tax cuts and extend jobless benefits. Analysts were quick to call this another stimulus plan, despite the unpopularity of the term, but know economists are speculating on the future of the deficit.
The Build America bonds program was passed as part of the stimulus in 2009, and was aimed at continuing the investments put in community and state projects like building bridges and roads. Congress will decide if it should be extended after Jan. 1.
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that’s central to the debate over immigration. At issue is an Arizona law that punishes employers for knowingly hiring undocumented workers.
Although Germany’s export numbers fell during October, Stephen Beard reports there could be some good news for the global recovery in Germany’s latest numbers.
Thanks to cheaper online entertainment options like Netflix, it’s estimated at HBO will lose 1.5 million subscribers this year. The channel is considering some drastic changes.
The all-star lineup of the Miami Heat hasn’t quite lived up to expectations yet, but that doesn’t mean sports fans aren’t placing big bets on the team. Take this Miami bar owner, who’s put his business on the line each time the Heat loses.
They are the most British of British institutions — but pub owners say they are being hit from two directions: the global economic slowdown means people are buying fewer drinks — and the housing collapse has reduced property values.
Here are the songs we played:
- In the Devil’s Territory– Sufjan Stevens Buy
- Blind Paper Dragon — Tin Hat Buy
- The Swan Is A Murderer (Part I) — Goblin Buy
- Catch That Martian — Pronto Buy
- Derezzed — Daft Punk Buy
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