All articles from Mark Trumbull
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Sequester 101: Is all this fuss really necessary?
The sequester spending cuts set to kick in March 1 address a serious long-term problem. But are they needed this year and in this way? No one thinks it's a perfect step.
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Pentagon braces for furloughs in sequester: How big a hit to economy? (+video)
Thousands of Defense Department civilian employees could be furloughed if Congress proceeds with the automatic federal spending cuts poised to take effect in March under the sequester.
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Progress Watch Fewer boarded-up homes: Vacancy rate for US housing falls to pre-bust levels
In the final quarter of 2012, the vacancy rate was 1.9 percent of homeowner housing, and 8.7 percent of the rental housing market, according to a new census report.
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Social Security deadline: how recipients can switch over from checks
With rare exceptions, the Social Security Administration is requiring people who still get their benefits by check to switch to some kind of electronic transfer by March 1.
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'Stench cruise' fallout: Will it create a stink for Carnival and the industry?
Carnival will take a hit from the 'stench cruise' ordeal, and the industry will scurry to reassure potential customers. But the impact on the growing sector should be short-lived, experts say.
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From preschool to high school, Obama seeking big progress in education
This week the president announced ambitious plans for universal preschool access and high school curriculums tailored to the 21st century, but are Congress and the states interested?
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State of the Union 101: Nine Obama proposals that might create jobs
A trade pact with the EU. Rebuilding roads and bridges. Innovation centers for manufacturing. Obama put forward a lot of proposals in his State of the Union address, but which ones will add the most jobs?
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State of the Union 101: Has Obamacare really slowed rise of health costs?
The president's State of the Union claim that Obamacare has slowed the rise of health costs misses the fact that key provisions don't kick in until 2014 and that slower spending is related to a weak economy.
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What does the federal government do with your money? Take our taxes quiz.
It seems there’s no end of taxes – and of debate about what the federal government does with all the money it collects. Test your knowledge of America’s fiscal behavior!
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Epic blizzard over, but Northeast is still reeling … and now rainy (+video)
As the Northeast digs out from an epic blizzard, rain poses new challenges: ice, slippery roads and paths, and – where wind has not already blown away much of the snow – collapsing roofs.
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US oil imports at lowest level since 1999 as trade gap shrinks
The data lighten the US economic outlook after a negative fourth-quarter report. Forecasters predict modest economic growth in 2013. But the trade gap is still huge.
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Blizzard 2013 Live blog: Nine-state region returns to normal – sort of (+video)
The Northeastern region that got whacked by the Blizzard of 2013 is slowly returning to normal. But the big test will come Monday when commuters try to return to work.
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Major snowstorm on track for Northeast Friday. Are you ready? (+video)
Boston cancels school and New York prepares its plows in anticipation of a major snowstorm expected to hit the Northeast from Friday into Saturday. Some areas could see up to two feet of snow.
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Massachusetts' incredible shrinking Senate race: More Republicans bow out
The most likely GOP contenders are no-shows, but some other Massachusetts Republicans are launching campaigns or testing the waters. Still, Democrats may be hard to beat in this Senate race.
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Recession averted, but rising debt still a threat, CBO warns
The CBO forecast on the economy describes the dilemma lawmakers face. Their successful measures to avoid a recession have left in place an expected dangerous rise in the national debt.
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Where's my refund? IRS tool helps you answer that question.
'Where's my refund' has been updated this year, so you can find your status within 24 hours of filing your return electronically. The 'Where's my refund' tool won't give an estimated refund date immediately, but 90 percent of tax refunds should go out within 21 days.
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Debt limit: Link any increase to spending cuts? Majority in poll says yes.
The results of the Monitor/TIPP poll – some 75 percent of respondents said the debt limit and spending should be linked – mesh with other surveys that cite rising concerns about deficits.
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What caused power outage at Super Bowl: Is 'abnormality' the whole story? (+video)
'What caused power outage' may be the biggest mystery of Super Bowl XLVII. The local energy company cited an 'abnormality in the system,' but the root cause for that is still unknown.
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Scott Brown won't seek open Senate seat, a blow to Republican hopes (+video)
Republican Scott Brown won't vie for US Senate seat vacated by John Kerry of Massachusetts, he said Friday. His decision increases the likelihood the seat will stay in Democratic hands.
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January jobs report: Will 'OK' jobs market make politicians complacent?
Employers added 157,000 jobs in January, but the unemployment rate rose to 7.9 percent. Now, in a few weeks, sizable federal spending cuts could put an added damper on economic activity.
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