News & Public Affairs

Castor backs Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act listen

11/10/08 Seán Kinane
Listen to this entire show:

Tags: Kathy Castor, Barack Obama, economy

On Friday, President Elect Barack Obama called for swift passage of an economic recovery package. Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, wrote to Obama encouraging him to support the Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act, H.R. 7110 that passed the House 264-158 in September.

WMNF asked Castor what that bill would do for Florida, if signed by the president.

“[The Tampa Bay area is] one of the top communities across the country with foreclosures, and that’s just not acceptable.”

P...

Be the first to comment

Economy is topic of Obama's first press conference listen

11/07/08 Arielle Stevenson
Listen to this entire show:

Tags: Barack Obama, Economy, Stimulus Package, President Bush, Michelle Obama, Job Loss, Auto Industry, Ford, GM

Today the U.S. Department of Labor put the nation’s unemployment rate at a 14-year high: as of October employers had cut 240,000 jobs.

In President-elect Barack Obama’s first press conference since the election, he addressed job loss and the struggling economy as his top priority as he transitions into the White House. Obama spoke about relieving strain on middle class Americans and extending unemployment benefits, as crucial first steps toward fixing the economy.

A stimulus package is...

Be the first to comment

Alex Sink on Florida's challenging economic environment listen

10/20/08 Mitch E. Perry
Listen to this entire show:

Tags: Alex Sink, economy

The state of California is attempting to sell $4 billion worth of bonds this week in the hope it will keep them from asking the federal government for a bailout to meet help keep their programs and services running.

Because tax income is not steady throughout the year, California and other states borrow short-term to pay their bills when revenues are temporarily insufficient.

Now, with states facing the same problem faced by millions of businesses – tightening credit markets – at the s...

Be the first to comment

Implosion of the economy

09/27/08 Mary Glenney
Listen to this entire show:

Tags: Economy, Wall Street

Dr. Ellen Frank, professor of economy at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, discusses the present state of the economy, the history as she sees this dilmena, and measures that can be taken to help.

She is author of Raw Deal, and feels the average American is very much getting a raw deal.

Be the first to comment

Bankruptcy judge weighs in on bailout proposal listen

09/26/08 Mitch E. Perry
Listen to this entire show:

Tags: Economy, Wall Street

As Congress continued to work on a plan to bail out Wall Street, some Democrats have insisted that it makes no sense to spend billions of taxpayer dollars on toxic mortgages without also extending aid to households at risk of losing their homes.

To that end, they’ve inserted a plan to allow bankruptcy judges re-write mortgage-loan terms for struggling homeowners.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Catherine Peak McEwen in Tampa says the plan is intriguing.

Be the first to comment

Obama speaks to 10,000 at Dunedin rally listen

09/24/08 Seán Kinane
Listen to this entire show:

Tags: 2008 election, Barack Obama, John McCain, economy

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama held a rally today before more than 10,000 fans in a Dunedin baseball stadium. His speech focused on the economy and was strongly critical of his main rival, John McCain.

Hundreds of people were already in line when the doors to Knology Park opened to the public at 10:30 a.m. Some had been waiting for hours. More than three hours later, at about 10 minutes before 2 p.m., Barack Obama took the stage for a 29-minute speech. Obama said the $700 bi...

1 comments

Galvano, Gelber on how to deal with budget deficit listen

09/23/08 Mitch E. Perry
Listen to this entire show:

Tags: Economy, Bill Galvano, Dan Gelber, Charlie Crist

Florida’s current revenue shortfall is one of the worst in state's history.

Earlier this month, a legislative budget panel, urged by Gov. Charlie Crist, took $672 million from Florida’s Budget Stabilization Fund, which must be paid back within five years.

Legislators will meet again in November to deal with the remaining $1.5 billion shortfall. And next year, the budget shortfall is slated to be more than $3 billion.

WMNF recently spoke with two state legislators for their thoughts...

Be the first to comment

Iorio discusses local economy listen

09/22/08 Mitch E. Perry
Listen to this entire show:

Tags: Mayor Pam Iorio, economy, Ybor City

The economic slowdown has certainly affected the Tampa Bay area.

Over the weekend, WMNF spoke with Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio on a number of topics, including how the previously bustling Ybor City area has become extremely tough for local merchants and restauranters, even on weekends.

Although crime has dropped dramatically in the historic entertainment district since Iorio took office, the perception that it’s a violent area still seems to persist.

Asked what, if anything, she can do ab...

Be the first to comment

Hopefuls seek work at St. Pete job fair listen

09/22/08 Seán Kinane
Listen to this entire show:

Tags: Economy, jobs, unemployment

Inside the Coliseum in St. Petersburg today, a job fair brought together people looking for work and 38 companies or government agencies that are either hiring or offering employment services.

With unemployment numbers across the country and especially in the bay area at their highest levels in years, many of the job seekers were determined to find positions, but aware of the challenges of the current economy.

Nearly a year ago, the company Neil Schipper worked for went into bankruptc...

Be the first to comment

Candidates for three constitutional offices at Tiger Bay listen

09/19/08 Seán Kinane
Listen to this entire show:

Tags: 2008 Election, Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, Hillsborough County Schools, Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, Buddy Johnson, Phyllis Busansky, Ken Ayers, Beverly Harris, Doug Belden, Tiger Bay Club, economy, optical

Candidates for the Hillsborough County constitutional offices of supervisor of elections, tax collector and property appraiser were showcased this afternoon at the Tiger Bay Club of Tampa. But the incumbents for two of the offices were no-shows.

The race for Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections is between incumbent Republican Buddy Johnson and Democrat Phyllis Busansky. Both candidates were invited to speak to the Tiger...

Be the first to comment