Topic: Price Controls and Subsidies

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Gas prices fact check: Six ideas in Congress, but can they work?

Soaring gas prices have also shown a consistent and significant ability to push members of Congress over the deep end. Here's the experts' take on 6 ideas floating through Congress.
World's cheapest gas: Top 10 countries

While Americans and Europeans bemoan the cost of gasoline at the pumps, people in some other parts of the world enjoy filling up their tanks cheaply thanks to subsidies provided by wealthy, oil-rich governments. Here are the 10 cheapest countries on Earth to fill a gas tank.
Q&A: What's with the war talk surrounding Iran?

Tensions over Iran’s nuclear program have escalated in recent weeks as the US and Europe ramp up sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
Election 101: Where the GOP candidates stand on energy and the environment

Energy and the environment are typically “back burner” issues in national elections, but both are huge this year for Republicans. Take a look at where each of them stands.
Election 101: Where the GOP candidates stand on immigration, abortion and other social issues

Social policies are a defining issue in this, or any, Republican race. With the GOP electorate increasingly focused on social issues in recent decades, their leaders' views have shifted in kind. Take a look at where each of the candidates stand.

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Consumer Energy Report
Oil subsidies: Surprise! Liberals are fans, too.

When asked if the federal government should eliminate subsidies for oil companies, most would respond with a resounding 'yes.' But such a policy would have unwelcome unintended consequences, and not just for billionaire oil tycoons.
Tax VOX
New online tool to help families maximize tax, transfer benefits

State taxes and transfers can be an important, albeit complicated form of assistance for low-income families. A new interactive calculator aims to help guide families through the process, including the options when family income increases.
GOP, Democrats make student loans an election-year issue

Both parties are advancing plans to address mounting student loan debt while disparaging the approach of their opponents.
If both parties want low rates on student loans, why the fight?

The GOP-led House is set to vote Friday on a bill to extend the low 3.4 percent interest rate on US-subsidized student loans. Obama wants that, too. But how to pay for it is kicking up dust in Congress.
Obama: Taxpayers shouldn't subsidize oil industry's record profits (+video)

Moments after Obama made his election-year appeal in the White House Rose Garden, the Senate failed to reach the threshold of votes needed to proceed to a measure that would have ended the subsidies.
Tax VOX
The federal government spends a lot more money than you think

'Federal spending' figures are not reliable markers. In reality, the federal government spends about 30 percent more than it admits.
Economist Mom
Paul Ryan's budget and the sticking point between the left and right

In their calls for tax reform, Republican Paul Ryan and Democrat Kent Conrad have a lot in common. But the question over tax revenues continues to drive the two sides apart.
Gas prices fact check: Six ideas in Congress, but can they work?

Soaring gas prices have also shown a consistent and significant ability to push members of Congress over the deep end. Here's the experts' take on 6 ideas floating through Congress.
World's cheapest gas: Top 10 countries

While Americans and Europeans bemoan the cost of gasoline at the pumps, people in some other parts of the world enjoy filling up their tanks cheaply thanks to subsidies provided by wealthy, oil-rich governments. Here are the 10 cheapest countries on Earth to fill a gas tank.
Health insurance: Vermont plan riles firms

Health insurance reform passes the Vermont House. But business group pushes back, saying health insurance choices would be limited.
Argentine train crash sheds light on need for transportation reform

A privatized and highly subsidized train industry in Argentina has left few accountable for safety and oversight. A deadly commuter train crash Wednesday was the eighth since 2008.
Economist Mom
Limting itemized deductions is a no-brainer

Time and again, Obama has proposed limiting itemized tax deductions in his annual budget. It's a sound idea that would raise a lot of revenue and reduce the deficit in a progressive way.
Occupy Nigeria victory: president to cut fuel prices

The initial removal of an estimated $7 billion annual fuel subsidy impacted an entire population and crippled the Nigerian economy.
Africa Monitor
Why Nigerians are in an 'occupy' mood (+video)

It would be unacceptable to citizens anywhere if the price of gasoline doubled overnight without warning, argues guest blogger Jeremy Weate.
Global News Blog
Nigeria's double trouble: nationwide fuel strike and 'ban' on Christians

Attacks by Islamist group Boko Haram are 'worse than civil war' of 1960s, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan says, but a nationwide fuel strike sparked by a cut in subsidies presents him with his toughest challenge.
'Occupy Nigeria' emerges ahead of mass strike

Talking of '1 percent cabals,' opponents of Nigeria's government are angry about its removal of a fuel subsidy and its weak response to ongoing attacks by a radical Islamist sect.
Q&A: What's with the war talk surrounding Iran?

Tensions over Iran’s nuclear program have escalated in recent weeks as the US and Europe ramp up sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
Election 101: Where the GOP candidates stand on energy and the environment

Energy and the environment are typically “back burner” issues in national elections, but both are huge this year for Republicans. Take a look at where each of them stands.
Election 101: Where the GOP candidates stand on immigration, abortion and other social issues

Social policies are a defining issue in this, or any, Republican race. With the GOP electorate increasingly focused on social issues in recent decades, their leaders' views have shifted in kind. Take a look at where each of the candidates stand.
How the tea party can 'agree' with Occupy movement's demands

Given the somewhat amorphous slogans of the Occupy Wall Street movement, members of the tea party may be wondering if they should join the fray. University of Denver law professor Robert Hardaway suggests how the tea party might “agree” with five of the Occupy movement's top demands – in its own way:
Tax VOX
The tragedy of Solyndra

The firm got $537 million from the Obama administration to further goals of energy independence, a cleaner environment, and domestic jobs. What went wrong?
Change Agent
Starbucks' new blend – working with community nonprofits

The coffee chain will join with two 'change-making' groups in New York and Los Angeles doing 'heroic work' to address economic, social, and education challenges.
Donald Marron
Taxes and energy policy

Our tax system is in desperate need of reform, and the most promising path to reform is to reexamine the many tax preferences in our code.
In Pictures: Who's who on the US deficit super committee
Tax VOX
Not all tax breaks are created equal

The meanings behind three popular types of tax subsidies, and who benefits the most from each.