The news that President-elect Obama may include more than $300 billion in tax cuts as part of an economic recovery package was preceded by a lobbying push by businesses, which argued that providing tax relief may be a better way of reviving the economy than simply directing money to pay for road and bridge construction. Includes comments by WUSTL economics professor Steven Fazzari.

References:

1. Jan. 5, 2009 — Business welcomes talk of tax breaks in stimulus in the TheHill.com (DC) online

Experts disagree on how to fix the economy. Advisers to President-elect Barack Obama are assembling a huge plan to stimulate the economy. Some experts doubt this is a good idea. David Kestenbaum talks with some experts, including WUSTL economics professor Steve Fazzari.

References:

1. Jan. 2, 2009 — Economists Duke It Out over Stimulus Plan in the NPR Morning Edition

The next president has yet to offer details of his economic stimulus plan. Its size and scope, and how he'll address housing and the auto industry, are up for debate. WUSTL economics professor Steven Fazzari comments.

References:

1. Dec. 1, 2008 — A wealth of ideas for Obama's stimulus program in the Los Angeles Times

With markets doing, well, better, what's going on with the rest of the economy? Another way of asking that question: Are we in a recession? Kai Rysdall brings up the dreaded "R" word with WUSTL economist Steve Fazzari.

References:

1. Oct. 14, 2008 — For real recovery, credit's just a start in the NPR Marketplace

WUSTL's Steven Fazzari, economics professor, comments on rising consumer indebtedness and it's role in the economic slowdown. Fazzari sees fundamental changes in the economy that are reducing the effectiveness of consumer spending as an economic driver.

References:

1. April 1, 2008 — Consumer Debt, Not Housing Bubble, May Be Root of Economic Woes in the ConsumerAffairs.com

The recent market turmoil is rocking investors around the globe. But it is raising the stock of one person: a little-known economist named Hyman Minsky, whose views have suddenly become very popular.
Minsky, who taught economics at WUSTL and died more than a decade ago, spent much of his career advancing the idea that financial systems are inherently susceptible to bouts of speculation that, if they last long enough, end in crises. At a time when many economists were coming to believe in the efficiency of markets, Mr. Minsky was considered somewhat of a radical for his stress on their tendency toward excess and upheaval.
Former WUSTL economics professor Laurence Meyer and current economics professor Steven Fazzari comment.

References:

1. Aug. 18, 2007 — In time of tumult, obscure economist gains currency in the The Wall Street Journal