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☆ Republican hopefuls’ deficit goals are all talk
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Ben Winck | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Participants in the party’s first debate for the 2024 election on Wednesday night promised to shrink the government’s budget shortfall. Yet Republicans have a bad track record for cutting federal debt, and some candidates are already touting pricey projects and tax cuts. The last Republican president to run a budget surplus was George W. Bush in 2001, but even that year was partly influenced by the cost-cutting measures put in place by his Democratic predecessor. With Congress balking at such a combinations, Republican candidates’ plans are all talk, little hope of action. That budget deficit is 122% larger than the shortfall seen in the same period last year.

Persons: Asa Hutchinson, Chris Christie, Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Doug Burgum, jockeying, “, Donald Trump, George W, Bush, Lauren Silva Laughlin, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Arkansas, New, U.S, South Carolina, North Dakota, Republican, Reuters, Republicans, South, Democratic, U.S . Office, Management, Former New, Congressional, Cato Institute, Fitch, Treasury Department, Thomson Locations: New Jersey, Florida, U.S, WASHINGTON, Milwaukee , Wisconsin, South Carolina, Former New Jersey, Arkansas, Ukraine, China, The U.S

☆ A federal judge threw out a lawsuit seeking to block student-loan forgiveness for over 800,000 borrowers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit to block student-debt relief from income-driven repayment plans. Last week, conservative-backed groups filed a lawsuit to block relief for 800,000 borrowers. On Monday, Judge Thomas Ludington in the Eastern District of Michigan Northern Division ruled that a lawsuit seeking to block $39 billion in debt relief for 800,000 borrowers lacks standing and is dismissed. The ruling means that — barring other legal challenges — the Education Department will continue looking at borrowers' income-driven repayment accounts every two months to determine if they qualify for debt relief, and those who do not want the debt relief will have the option to opt out. Borrowers can also apply for the SAVE Plan before federal payments resume — a new income-driven repayment plan intended to make borrowers' monthly payments cheaper.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Judge Thomas Ludington, Lundington, Public Relations Holly Wetzel, Biden Organizations: Service, Eastern District of Michigan Northern Division, New Civil Liberties Alliance, Cato Institute, Mackinac Center for Public, Education Department, Public, Mackinac Center's, Public Relations, SAVE Locations: Wall, Silicon, Eastern District

☆ Over 800,000 student-loan borrowers are set to start seeing their debt wiped out following income-driven repayment reforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Over 800,000 student-loan borrowers are set to start seeing their debt wiped out. It's part of a one-time account adjustment for borrowers on income-driven repayment plans. The future of the relief is uncertain after conservative groups filed a lawsuit to block it. On Monday, student-loan companies are set to begin discharging the debt of 804,000 borrowers who have qualified for $39 billion in debt relief — part of the first batch of borrowers affected by the Education Department's one-time account adjustment for income-driven repayment plans. "At the start of this Administration, millions of borrowers had earned loan forgiveness but never received it.

Persons: Education James Kvaal, Joe Biden's Organizations: Service, Education, New Civil Liberties Alliance, Cato Institute, Mackinac Center for Public, Public, Education Department Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ Student-loan borrowers keep running into hurdles as Biden's debt relief promises are piling up in court
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The lawsuits concern relief for borrowers on income-driven repayment and those who applied for borrower defense. On top of that, borrowers are still reeling from the June Supreme Court decision that struck down President Joe Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for federal borrowers. The announcement was part of the department's one-time account adjustment to ensure borrowers payments are up to date, and those who completed more than the required payments would receive a refund. But just days later, a separate debt relief measure got blocked in court. The department has already notified borrowers of that relief, and it expects more will qualify.

Persons: SCOTUS, Biden, Joe Biden's, it's, Jason Harmon, I've, I'm, Harmon, —, Reagan Organizations: Service, Education Department, New Civil Liberties Alliance, Cato Institute, Mackinac Center for Public, Public, An Education Department, Trump, Circuit, Career Colleges, Schools of Texas Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ The lawsuits to block student-loan forgiveness keep coming — and the latest would keep borrowers who 'have earned the forgiveness' in debt, Biden's Education Department says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Conservative groups filed a lawsuit last week to block Biden's latest student-debt relief effort. The relief would discharge loans for over 800,000 borrowers on income-driven repayment plans. But there are similarities in the arguments from the October lawsuit, and the most recent one challenging the income-driven repayment relief. "Unlawful cancellation of student-loan debt reduces the amount of a borrower's PSLF-cancellable debt and thus reduces the amount by which PSLF benefits qualified employment," it said. It's unclear how this lawsuit will impact debt discharges, but the administration has made no indication yet that the process will be halted.

Persons: Joe Biden's, —, Harris Organizations: PSLF, Service, New Civil Liberties Alliance, Cato Institute, Mackinac Center for Public, Education Department, Biden, Harris Administration, Public, Cato Institute and Mackinac Center, Federal Register Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ July jobs report shows we have a supply issue, says Cato Institute's Tyler Goodspeed
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailJuly jobs report shows we have a supply issue, says Cato Institute's Tyler GoodspeedTyler Goodspeed, former acting CEA chair and Cato Institute adjunct scholar, Jennifer Harris, former national economic council official, and Saira Malik, Nuveen CIO, join 'Squawk Box' along with CNBC's Steve Liesman and Rick Santelli to react to the July jobs report, where the U.S. economy added 187,000 jobs in July, fewer than expected, what it means for the Fed's inflation fight, and more.

Persons: Cato Institute's Tyler Goodspeed Tyler Goodspeed, Jennifer Harris, Saira Malik, Steve Liesman, Rick Santelli Organizations: CIO

☆ A conservative group filed a lawsuit to block $39 billion in debt relief for 800,000 borrowers on income-driven repayment plans
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Conservative groups just filed a lawsuit to block Biden's latest student-debt relief effort. Last month, Biden announced $39 billion in relief for 800,000 borrowers through an adjustment to income-driven repayment plans. Last month, the Education Department said it would be automatically canceling $39 billion in student debt for 804,000 borrowers as a result of changes to the department's income-driven repayment plans. The relief was for borrowers who have completed the necessary 20 or 25 years of qualifying payments. They argued that as nonprofits, "unlawful cancellation of student-loan debt reduces the amount of a borrower's PSLF-cancellable debt and thus reduces the amount by which PSLF benefits qualified employment."

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden's, —, Biden's Organizations: Service, New Civil Liberties Alliance, Cato Institute, Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Education Department, Court, Eastern, Eastern District of Michigan, Department, Public Locations: Wall, Silicon, Eastern District

☆ Argentina should ditch the peso in favor of a 'hard dollar regime' to get inflation under control, think tank says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Jason Ma | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Argentina should adopt the US dollar to get inflation under control, the Cato Institute said. "This type of hard dollar regime is exactly what Argentina needs now." This type of hard dollar regime is exactly what Argentina needs now," Cato researchers wrote in a paper published on Thursday. A top presidential candidate has proposed switching to the dollar as a way to tame inflation, which is soaring more than 100%. Other countries use the dollar as their primary currency or alongside a local currency, including some in Latin America.

Persons: Cato, Steve Hanke, Argentina's, Hanke, dollarization Organizations: Cato Institute, Service, Argentine, International Monetary Fund, Johns Hopkins University Locations: Argentina, Wall, Silicon, Latin America

July 13 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the first over-the-counter contraceptive pill, paving the way for millions of women in the country to purchase birth control without prescription. Perrigo will next week share its pricing plan for the pill, which will be available in stores and online in the first quarter of next year. Women should take a progestin-only pill within the same three hours every day to avoid pregnancy. The National Catholic Bioethics Center and other groups have opposed making Opill available without prescription, saying physicians should be involved in health decisions, especially for teenagers, along with parental supervision, to avoid harm. Perrigo gained the daily-use pill first through its $2.13 billion acquisition of Paris-based HRA Pharma in 2021.

Persons: Roe, Wade, Xavier Becerra, Opill, Jeffrey Singer, Perrigo, Manas Mishra, Sriparna Roy, Arun Koyyur Organizations: U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Perrigo, Human Services, Cato Institute, FDA, Catholic Bioethics Center, HRA Pharma, Thomson Locations: U.S, Paris, Bengaluru

Severe weather can happen any day of the year. Some people will go to a tornado shelter as soon as a warning is issued. The National Weather Service provides alerts in English and Spanish, which can limit communications with people who primarily speak other languages. How do I get a severe weather warning? Your cellphone should automatically receive severe weather warnings.

Persons: Kathleen Sherman, Morris, Sherman, ”, Amber Silver, Patrick Rios, Harvey, Kim Klockow, McClain, Rory Doyle, Klockow, Ilana Panich, Ms, “ Organizations: Mississippi State University, University, Social, National Weather Service, New, International, of, ., The New York Times, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, The New York, Weather Service, Service Locations: Eastern Tennessee, Albany, Rockport , Texas, New York City, Rolling Fork, Miss, Austin , Texas, .

☆ Opinion | How Do You Replace an Elite?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Ross Douthat | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

So for Deneen to recoil from both the Boomer and woke versions of elite power and imagine what he terms common-good conservatism in their place is by no means un-American. There are versions of post-liberalism that seem to envision a truly different American regime — a confessional state or a monarchy or an administration of Platonic guardians. But Deneen usually talks more like a small-d democrat, trying to revive his own country’s buried sub-traditions. Crucially, though, Deneen comes to the scene after seven decades in which conservatism’s attempted elite-replacement project has repeatedly and conspicuously failed. So the right of 2023 needs a theory for why, up till now, its elite-replacement effort has been so disappointing.

Persons: Deneen, conservatism’s, thrall, Cornel West, John Locke, John Stuart Mill, James Madison, Ayn Rand Organizations: Cornel West ., soulcraft, Cato Institute

☆ Economists are torn on whether the Fed’s pause will backfire
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the rate hike pause will give officials more time to evaluate the effects rate hikes have had on the economy so far. But he left the door open for the possibility of more rate hikes at future meetings. “Every time they relaxed rates inflation would ratchet up,” said Michael Bordo, an economics professor and director of the Center for Monetary and Financial History at Rutgers University. Many economists agree the Fed is not confronting the extreme dilemma Paul Volcker faced during his time as Fed Chair from 1979 to 1987. The Fed’s pause “doesn’t necessarily have adverse implications for inflation,” he said.

Persons: Jerome Powell, ” Powell, ”, Michael Bordo, Paul Volcker, “, Donald Kohn, Powell, Bordo, George Selgin Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal, Center for Monetary, Rutgers University, Fed, CNN, Cato Institute Locations: New York

National security law experts were struck by the breadth of evidence in the indictment which includes documents, photos, text messages, audio and witness statements. They said this made a strong case for prosecutors’ allegation that Trump illegally took the documents and then tried to cover it up. Trump's greatest peril could lie in the conspiracy to obstruct justice charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Legal experts said Trump's alleged years-long effort to conceal documents was likely a major factor in Special Counsel Jack Smith's decision to indict him. Legal experts disagree over whether Trump could pardon himself if he wins.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, ”, Elizabeth Goitein, Clark Neily, Mark MacDougall, Trump's, Jack Smith's, Wilkie D, Ferguson Jr, Walt Nauta, Chris Kise, Todd Blanche, Jane, Read, Brennan Center's Goitein, Cato's Neily, “, Todd Huntley, TRUMP, Jack Queen, Sarah N, Lynch, Amy Stevens, Cynthia Osterman, Howard Goller Organizations: White House, FBI, Brennan Center for Justice, DOJ, Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cato Institute, U.S, United, REUTERS, Prosecutors, Georgetown University, Trump, Washington , D.C, Thomson Locations: Florida, Miami , Florida, U.S, New York, Washington ,

National security law experts were struck by the breadth of evidence in the indictment which includes documents, photos, text messages, audio and witness statements. They said this made a strong case for prosecutors’ allegation that Trump illegally took the documents and then tried to cover it up. Trump's greatest peril could lie in the conspiracy to obstruct justice charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Cato's Neily said that based on his reading of the indictment, prosecutors likely have many witnesses who have given them similar accounts of Trump's efforts. Legal experts disagree over whether Trump could pardon himself if he wins.

Persons: Trump, Wilkie D, Ferguson Jr, Walt Nauta, Chris Kise, Todd Blanche, Jane, Read, Donald Trump, ”, Elizabeth Goitein, Clark Neily, Mark MacDougall, Trump's, Jack Smith's, Brennan Center's Goitein, Cato's Neily, “, Todd Huntley, TRUMP, Jack Queen, Sarah N, Lynch, Amy Stevens, Cynthia Osterman, Howard Goller Organizations: U.S, United, REUTERS, White House, FBI, Brennan Center for Justice, DOJ, Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cato Institute, Prosecutors, Georgetown University, Trump, Washington , D.C, Thomson Locations: Miami , Florida, U.S, Florida, New York, Washington ,

National security law experts were struck by the breadth of evidence in the indictment which includes documents, photos, text messages, audio and witness statements. They said this made a strong case for prosecutors’ allegation that Trump illegally took the documents and then tried to cover it up. Trump has proclaimed his innocence and called the case a “witch hunt” orchestrated by political enemies. Cato's Neily said that based on his reading of the indictment, prosecutors likely have many witnesses who have given them similar accounts of Trump's efforts. Legal experts disagree over whether Trump could pardon himself if he wins.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, ”, Elizabeth Goitein, Clark Neily, Mark MacDougall, Trump's, Jack Smith's, Brennan Center's Goitein, Cato's Neily, “, Todd Huntley, TRUMP, Jack Queen, Sarah N, Lynch, Amy Stevens, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: White House, FBI, Brennan Center for Justice, DOJ, Cato Institute, Prosecutors, Georgetown University, Trump, Washington , D.C, Thomson Locations: Florida, New York, Washington ,

☆ The Fed pursuing 2% inflation is an 'absolute trap' for the economy, 40-year market veteran says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Fed's 2% inflation goal is an "absolute trap," according to 40-year market veteran Barry Knapp. Knapp pointed to tightening credit conditions, suggesting more tightening from the Fed could cause a recession. Elevated prices aren't always a drag on the economy, he added, pointing to 3%-4% inflation in the 90s. "The whole 2% target is an absolute trap," The Ironsides Macroeconomics founder said in an interview with CNBC on Tuesday. But elevated inflation isn't necessarily a hindrance to the economy, Knapp said, pointing to 3%-4% inflation in the early 90s, years when the economy expanded and benefited from a huge boom in business spending.

☆ Bank sector still has small segment with 'real problems,' says Cato Institute's Mark Calabria
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBank sector still has small segment with 'real problems,' says Cato Institute's Mark CalabriaCato Institute’s Mark Calabria and Janey Montgomery’s Timothy Coffey join 'The Exchange' to discuss the banking crisis and fallout and the outlook for the sector.

☆ Bipartisan House group's debt ceiling plan most promising one yet: Cato Institute's Romina Boccia
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBipartisan House group's debt ceiling plan most promising one yet: Cato Institute's Romina BocciaRomina Boccia, director of budget and entitlement policy at the Cato Institute, and Jean Ross, senior fellow at American Progress, join 'Squawk Box' to discuss the latest debt ceiling showdown in Washington and more.

☆ Recession will be an early '24 problem, not this year: MacroPolicy Perspectives' Julia Coronado
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRecession will be an early '24 problem, not this year: MacroPolicy Perspectives' Julia CoronadoJulia Coronado, founder of MacroPolicy Perspectives, and Tyler Goodspeed, Cato Institute adjunct scholar and former acting CEA chairman, join 'Squawk Box' to discuss their thoughts on the economic outlook for 2023, how they view the relatively strong labor market, and more.

☆ A nonprofit just joined forces with a major student-loan lender in asking a federal court to end the payment pause, saying the relief has limited the 'financial incentive' to work in public service
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A nonprofit filed a lawsuit on Thursday to end Biden's student-loan payment pause and prevent another extension. It comes after SoFi Bank filed a lawsuit last month to end the payment pause. The lawsuit targets Biden's continued extensions of the student-loan payment pause, and it asks the federal court in the Eastern District of Michigan to end the current pause and prevent Biden from issuing a further extension. As a result, Biden extended the student-loan payment pause, with waived interest, through 60 days after June 30, or 60 days after the Supreme Court issues a final decision on the relief's legality, whichever happens first. The bank cited revenue loss that is said was directly caused by the continued payment pause extensions.

☆ Expanding the FDIC deposit cap would increase the rate of bank failures, says Cato's Mark Calabria
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailExpanding the FDIC deposit cap would increase the rate of bank failures, says Cato's Mark CalabriaMark Calabria, senior advisor at The Cato Institute and former director of The Federal Housing Finance Agency and CNBC's Steve Liesman, join 'The Exchange' to discuss the latest takeaways from the hearing on the SVB collapse, the questions facing regulators, and considerations around the FDIC deposit cap.

☆ Bank runs have the crypto industry on high alert. 3 experts explain why the latest batch is especially worrisome — and what comes next.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Only a decade ago, bank runs happened at a much slower pace. The era of digital bank runsOne thing the past few weeks has made clear is that bank runs now unfold differently, especially for smaller banks that service specialized sectors. "Bank runs are evolving into a different and much more dangerous beast because they happen faster," Baker said. By comparison, on March 9, SVB lost $42 billion in a day — and it was a smaller bank, Baker added. Long said she warned regulators again after FTX collapsed that banks servicing the crypto sector face the danger of bank runs.

At some Silicon Valley Bank branch locations in California, depositors gathered early Friday to attempt to get their cash out, fearing it could be inaccessible in the coming days. It has had financial relationships with a who’s who of Silicon Valley firms over the years, including Snapchat's parent Snap Inc (SNAP.N). A locked door to a Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) location on Sand Hill Road is seen in Menlo Park, California, U.S. March 10, 2023. A Silicon Valley Bank spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to a request for comment sent Friday. As of Friday, FarmboxRx’s funds were still tied up with Silicon Valley Bank.

March 10 (Reuters) - The sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank on Friday sent shockwaves through the startup community, which has come to view the lender as a source of reliable capital, particularly for some of tech’s biggest moonshots. It has had financial relationships with a who’s who of Silicon Valley firms over the years, including Snapchat's parent Snap Inc (SNAP.N)Snap declined to comment. A Silicon Valley Bank spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to a request for comment sent Friday. Uncertainty swept through Silicon Valley as startup founders and venture capital firms worried they could, among other things, fail to make payroll. As of Friday, FarmboxRx’s funds were still tied up with Silicon Valley Bank.

While the Biden administration push, described by economists as an industrial policy, has opened opportunities for some companies, significant hurdles remain. The 2022 CHIPS and Science Act provides $52.7 billion in federal subsidies for semiconductor production and research. Industrial policy still has critics. Scott Lincicome, director of general economics at the libertarian Cato Institute, said industrial policy tends to crumble into failed projects and cost overruns. "There's all sorts of more market-oriented reforms that could achieve the type of objectives our political class wants, without the unintended consequences of industrial policy," he said.

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