Business & Economy
Business & Economy
U.S. House Gives Final Approval To $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill, No Republicans Support
The House voted 220-211 with no Republicans voting in favor of the bill, despite calls for bipartisan support from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other Democratic leaders. One Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden, voted against the bill. Continue Reading U.S. House Gives Final Approval To $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill, No Republicans Support
A Sign Of Hope After ‘Winter Hibernation’: Employers Add 379,000 Jobs
Hiring picked up steam in February as a winter wave of coronavirus infections eased and consumers spent more freely. U.S. employers added 379,000 jobs in February, while the unemployment rate dipped to 6.2%. Continue Reading A Sign Of Hope After ‘Winter Hibernation’: Employers Add 379,000 Jobs
Hold That Drill: Why Wall Street Wants Energy Companies To Pump Less Oil, Not More
Oil prices have risen sharply over the last few months. Normally, that’s a recipe for a drilling frenzy from U.S. oil producers. But something strange is happening, or rather, not happening. Continue Reading Hold That Drill: Why Wall Street Wants Energy Companies To Pump Less Oil, Not More
OPEC And Allies Keep Oil Production Steady As Saudi Arabia Urges ‘Caution’
OPEC and its allies said Thursday they are keeping oil production largely steady, even as crude prices stage a remarkable recovery, betting that a restrained approach will lay the groundwork for prices to climb even more. Continue Reading OPEC And Allies Keep Oil Production Steady As Saudi Arabia Urges ‘Caution’
Senate Democrats, White House Agree To Tighter Income Limits For Stimulus Checks
Senate Democrats have reached an agreement with the White House to tighten the limits on who can receive the next round of stimulus checks as part of President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, according to several Democratic sources. Continue Reading Senate Democrats, White House Agree To Tighter Income Limits For Stimulus Checks
‘It’s Madness’: American Factories Scramble To Secure Critical Supplies
Unexpectedly strong demand for furniture, appliances and other manufactured goods is providing a windfall to many of the country’s industries. But as factory gears spin faster to meet the surging demand, a big headache is emerging: Supply chains are getting stretched more than ever, and critical components are proving a lot harder to procure. Continue Reading ‘It’s Madness’: American Factories Scramble To Secure Critical Supplies
Northwest Prisoners Eligible For Stimulus Checks. But Getting Payout Behind Bars Is Complicated
Like many Americans, people behind bars are waiting to see if they will be getting checks from the federal government as part of the new stimulus bill — provided it passes Congress this month as expected. The majority of incarcerated people in Washington and Oregon were likely eligible for the first two rounds of relief money. Continue Reading Northwest Prisoners Eligible For Stimulus Checks. But Getting Payout Behind Bars Is Complicated
Governor Says No Washington Counties Will Move Back To Phase 1 Of Reopening – Yet
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said none of the state’s regions will revert back to more restrictive COVID-19 requirements under the state’s economic reopening plan under a pause in potential rollbacks the Democratic governor announced Thursday amid dropping case counts. Continue Reading Governor Says No Washington Counties Will Move Back To Phase 1 Of Reopening – Yet
Washington-Based Costco To Raise Minimum Wage To $16 An Hour: ‘This Isn’t Altruism,’ CEO Says
Costco plans to edge up its starting wage to $16 an hour starting next week, CEO W. Craig Jelinek said on Thursday, revealing plans that would propel his company ahead of most of its retail competitors. Continue Reading Washington-Based Costco To Raise Minimum Wage To $16 An Hour: ‘This Isn’t Altruism,’ CEO Says
How $1 Billion In Legal Marijuana Sales Gets Spent In Washington State
This year marks a milestone for the state’s legal pot industry. For the first time since voters approved recreational pot use nine years ago, the state of Washington is expected to collect more than $1 billion in marijuana sales taxes and fees over the course of its next two-year budget cycle. Continue Reading How $1 Billion In Legal Marijuana Sales Gets Spent In Washington State
Governor Signs $2.2B COVID Relief Package For Washington Schools, Businesses, Renters, Immigrants
A fresh round of federal aid will soon be flowing to Washington businesses and individuals hit hard by the COVID pandemic. On Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law a $2.2 billion relief package funded with money approved by Congress in December. Continue Reading Governor Signs $2.2B COVID Relief Package For Washington Schools, Businesses, Renters, Immigrants
Pay-Per-Mile Tax Gets A Test Drive In Washington Legislature To Augment Gas Tax
Washington state senators have teed up a mileage-based tax for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles as the first step toward changing how the state pays for road maintenance and other transportation needs. Policymakers expect gas tax revenue to decline long term. Oregon has been experimenting with a per-mile charge for years. Continue Reading Pay-Per-Mile Tax Gets A Test Drive In Washington Legislature To Augment Gas Tax
