tr?id=&ev=PageView&noscript=

ECONOMY

  • All Tags

rates

Fed’s decision to cut interest rates could lower housing costs

| | | |
The announcement from the Federal Reserve will lower mortgage rates and encourage more building of apartments, which could lower rental costs. 
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris holds a bag of Doritos chips at Sheetz convenience store during a campaign stop, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in Coralpolis, Pa. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

High food prices are hurting Texas families. Here’s what Kamala Harris has proposed to lower costs.

| | | |
The vice president has said that she will call on Congress to pass a federal ban on price gouging and give the Federal Trade Commission more authority to prevent consolidation in the food industry.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris waves as she steps on stage to address a crowd, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, during a campaign stop, in North Hampton, N.H. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Kamala Harris proposes plan to make it easier for Texans to start small businesses

| | | | | |
Harris has proposed expanding a tax deduction for costs that are incurred while starting a business, creating a new fund that would allow the country’s smallest banks to cover the interest accrued on loans to new businesses, and more. 
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Aug. 22, 2024 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Kamala Harris wants to make it easier to afford housing in Texas

| | | | |
After years of a worsening housing crisis in Texas, Kamala Harris’ proposals seek to create three million homes by 2028, provide down payment assistance to first-time home buyers, and crack down on price fixing among corporate landlords. 
FILE - President Joe Biden speaks about health care and prescription drug costs at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Las Vegas. Biden's administration will announce on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, the first prescription drugs being targeted by the U.S. government for price negotiations as part of an effort to lower Medicare costs. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Big corporations are suing to block Biden’s efforts to lower costs

| | |
From the cost of medication to education to everyday expenses, the Biden administration has passed several laws and implemented many federal rules taking on giant corporations, but big businesses are fighting tooth and nail to protect their profits.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Danny Werfel speaks during a House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government hearing on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Millions of Americans could file their taxes for free starting in 2025

| | |
The IRS’ Direct File program was rolled out on a limited basis in 12 states this past tax-filing season and saved 140,000 taxpayers who used it an estimated $5.6 million in filing costs. Now, the agency is looking to expand it nationwide.
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 03: A poster hung by supporters of Climate Power can be seen on Capitol Hill calling on Congress to stop big oil companies from price-gouging consumers on May 3, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Climate Action)

Senate Democrats call for industry-wide investigation into Big Oil amid price-fixing and collusion allegations

| | | |
Senate Democrats joined their House counterparts in calling for an industry-wide investigation into Big Oil collusion and price-fixing allegations, which they say cost US consumers at the pump while driving up corporate profits. 
Attorney General Merrick Garland flanked by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, Thursday, May 23, 2024. The Justice Department has filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation Entertainment, accusing them of running an illegal monopoly over live events in America and driving up prices for fans. The lawsuit was filed Thursday in New York and was brought with 30 state and district attorneys general. . (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Sick of absurd Ticketmaster prices? Biden’s DOJ is going after them

| | |
The lawsuit is backed by attorneys general for 29 states plus Washington, D.C., and alleges that Live Nation leveraged its power as a venue owner, concert promoter, and ticket seller in order to lessen consumer choice, raise prices, and eliminate its rivals.
HOUSTON - ECONOMY

Price-fixing conspiracy in US oil industry cost families money, reports allege

| | |
Analysis of corporate profits and accusations of collusion by the FTC lend support to the idea that a broader oil industry conspiracy drove up post-Covid inflation for everyday Americans.
HOUSTON - ECONOMY

The super rich and big corporations to face more scrutiny from Biden’s IRS

| |
Using an infusion of funds provided by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the IRS has already collected more than $520 million from 1,600 millionaires who had unpaid tax bills of more than $250,000.
HOUSTON - ECONOMY

Biden makes 4 million more workers eligible for overtime pay

| | |
The US Department of Labor says updated regulations will increase income thresholds to ensure lower-income salaried employees are fairly compensated when they work more than 40 hours per week.
HOUSTON - ECONOMY

Biden administration bans noncompete clauses for workers

| | | | |
The new rule bans new noncompete agreements for the vast majority of American workers and requires employers to let current and past employees know they won’t enforce them going forward. Companies will also be required to throw out existing noncompete agreements.