Federal government

Whenever debates over the budget rage in Washington, leaders can't help but say the government should balance their budget as well as a household. But that analogy might not always hold water.

A Senate committee on governmental affairs looks at 380 ways “to make Washington more efficient.” What’s likely to be the fate of this cost-cutting initiative?

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has dumped over 100,000 complaints, in 11 computer languages, for “civic hacking.” Banks complain that it’s not filtered for accurate complaints.

Which industries do well in public opinion polls? Computers get mostly positive marks, as do retail and anything having to do with food. The federal government and oil and gas, not so much.

About a year ago a law went into effect called the Plain Writing Act, meant to compel federal agencies into communicating with the public in a more accessible way. Now a nonprofit has come out with its first report card based on the act, and most agencies are not doing very well.

John Challenger of Challenger, Gray & Christmas speaks about his company's November jobs numbers, which show some signs of improvement

This final note: American International Group is taking another big step to borrow its way off the government dole. The insurance giant revealed in...