US Economy
Telephone industry pushes to end landline service in Kentucky
By Naomi Spencer, February 21, 2012
Telephone companies in Kentucky are pressing the state to allow for the discontinuation of basic landline service in “less profitable” areas.
Public education, transit, health care targeted in Pennsylvania budget cuts
By Samuel Davidson, February 21, 2012
Public and higher education, health care, libraries and mass transportation are among the programs that are targeted under Governor Tom Corbett’s $27 billion budget proposed last week.
Tent camp reveals social inequality in Ann Arbor, Michigan
By Mitch Marcus and Janel Flechsig, February 20, 2012
Last week, a WSWS team visited Camp Take Notice, a homeless encampment in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to speak with residents and document conditions. The tent camp is home to about 35 people.
Bank foreclosure fraud to be rewarded at taxpayer expense
By Andre Damon, February 20, 2012
Much of the $25 billion mortgage fraud settlement agreed to by the big banks would in fact be subsidized by the taxpayers through an earlier mortgage modification program.
Detroit to cut early morning bus services
By Naomi Spencer, February 18, 2012
Detroit Mayor David Bing announced that the city would end early morning bus services on March 3.
29,500 long-term unemployed Michigan workers lose benefits
By Matthew Brennan, February 18, 2012
Nearly 30,000 “long-term” unemployed workers in Michigan—those out of work for more than six months—had their extended benefits assistance terminated February 18.
California deepens cuts to social safety net
By Kevin Martinez, February 17, 2012
The Democratic administration of Governor Jerry Brown is poised to inflict more severe austerity in the coming year.
Study shows harmful impact of economic crisis on California’s women
By Kevin Martinez, February 17, 2012
California women are suffering from the effects of the economic crisis at a rate disproportionate to the population overall, new data reveals.
Obama, Democrats hail deal to slash unemployment benefits
By Barry Grey, February 16, 2012
In the midst of the deepest economic crisis since the Great Depression, with long-term unemployment at record highs, the Obama administration has forged a bipartisan agreement with the Republicans that will sharply reduce the duration of jobless benefits.
Obama budget funds war, repression and Wall Street
By Patrick Martin, February 15, 2012
Domestic social spending is dwarfed by the Pentagon budget and $500 billion in interest payments.
West Virginia targets Medicaid for “fundamental adjustments”
By Clement Daly, February 15, 2012
The Democratic administration of Governor Earl Ray Tomblin is preparing budget cuts to social programs upon which hundreds of thousands of West Virginians depend.
Obama budget combines austerity and phony populism
By Patrick Martin, February 14, 2012
The fiscal 2013 budget includes $1 trillion in budget cuts already agreed on with congressional Republicans, and proposes to slash another $638 billion in social spending.
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