Recess Roundup Part II (Oct. 17)

Mike & Co., Recent election news cycles have included precious little on a number significant fiscal and financial policy developments since Congress adjourned to go campaign.  These developments  may not be getting as much media attention as Trump’s gaffe du jour right now.  But some will get more eventually. We outline below a number of the key developments crowded out …

Recess Roundup Part II (Oct. 17) Read More »

Recess Roundup Part 1 (Oct. 14)

Mike & Co. — Far from the media carnival at center stage most of the electoral season, a number of fiscal and financial policy developments have slipped under the  radar this recess.  Before Congress adjourned for the election, political coverage focused on  whether Congress would pass a CR.  The developments since include a major bank’s restructuring, a …

Recess Roundup Part 1 (Oct. 14) Read More »

2nd Presidential Debate/Econ. & Financial Issues (Oct. 10)

Mike & Co. — The second Presidential debate last night  focused mostly on personal qualifications, the histories of each candidate, and foreign policy.  But economic issues policy issues, especially tax policy, still came in for their fair share of debate, with heaping portions of demagoguery.  You can find an abridged version of the 2nd debate that …

2nd Presidential Debate/Econ. & Financial Issues (Oct. 10) Read More »

VP Debate/Econ. & Financial Issues (Oct. 5)

Mike and Co., The VP debate last night did not make much news on the economic policy front.  Perhaps the most resonant moment of the debate came when Sen. Kaine drew the contrast between HRC’s “you’re hired” vision and Mr. Trump’s “you’re fired” trademark reputation.  Kaine also started to scratch the surface on Mr. Trump’s unethical …

VP Debate/Econ. & Financial Issues (Oct. 5) Read More »

CR, then sayonara (Sep. 23)

Mike & Co. — The operative question on the Hill right now is, when will we get out of here?  The simple answer is that Congress will adjourn as soon as logistically possible the minute after the budget stop-gap measure — aka  Continuing Resolution (aka CR) — has been adopted by both Houses.  Bet on …

CR, then sayonara (Sep. 23) Read More »

CR Sticking Points (Sep. 21)

Mike & Co. — Practically every member of Congress running for re-election wants to be with the voters, not with each other with Election Day less than 50 days away.  Only one thing stands between them and adjournment right now — adoption of a budget for Fiscal Year 2017, which begins in ten days.  No one …

CR Sticking Points (Sep. 21) Read More »

Trump Urges Yuge Tax Cuts and New Debt (Sep. 16)

Mike & Co. — In a speech before the Economic Club of New York yesterday, Trump laid out a passably detailed economic plan.  Some of the speech provides marginally clearer outlines of previously stated tax policy.  The rest of it walks back the most egregious and heavily criticized aspects of his las major economic policy address …

Trump Urges Yuge Tax Cuts and New Debt (Sep. 16) Read More »