Plan to Save Transit Agencies Floated in Congress
Help might be on the way for cash-strapped city transit agencies seeking relief from the lame duck Congress.
As ProPublica and others reported recently, the meltdown of insurance giant AIG could leave more than 30 public transit agencies on the hook for up to $3 billion in payments to banks. The problem stems from the recent failure of longstanding financing deals that gave banks sizeable tax breaks and the agencies much-needed cash up front. AIG guaranteed about 75 percent of these so-called tax shelters – until its credit rating … more…
Senators to AIG: Stop Lobbying!
Two senators have asked AIG to stop lobbying after we and the Wall Street Journal reported ($) that the company, which has taken $123 … more…
The Tab for Taxpayers on Gov’t Bailouts
Last month, we charted the history of U.S. government bailouts. After the jump is the cost per household for each rescue (in terms of the … more…
The Gutting of the SEC
We have heard plenty about how deregulation contributed to the market crisis. Far less noted is what might be called de-supervision. … more…
Rep. Mahoney’s Money for Mad Mistress
Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-FL) has found himself in an awkward situation similar to the one that prompted the resignation of his predecessor, … more…
A Quick Note, And a Good Explainer
In honor of Columbus Day, ProPublica is off-the-clock. We'll be back tomorrow.
In the meantime, we thought you might enjoy this fabulous … more…
Gov’t-Owned AIG: We’re Still Lobbying!
Earlier today, we wondered whether AIG is still lobbying the federal government. After all, taxpayers have lent the failing insurance … more…
This Week in Scandals
Every week, we take stock of how the week unfolded for the stories we're tracking in Scandal Watch (see the right sidebar). Click here … more…
Is AIG Still Lobbying?
UPDATE 4:37 PM We just heard from AIG spokesman Joe Norton: “We are not a GSE and are therefore not restricted. We remain a … more…
McCain’s Letter ‘Warning Exactly of This Crisis’
Yesterday we reported on letters referred to by Barack Obama and John McCain during the second presidential debate. We had Obama’s … more…
Degrees of Hank Paulson
If it sometimes seems that Wall Street is a small world, well, it is. For all its global reach, and for all the bitter conflict in recent … more…
| Topics in "Government & Politics" | |
|---|---|
| Elections | Lobbying |
| Regulators | |
November 20, 2008
Bailout Gives a Nod to Bicycle Commuting Joel Gay, New Mexico Independent, November 20, 2008
Daschle’s Lobbyist Wife Might Complicate New Post Derek Kravitz, Washington Post, November 20, 2008
Conrad Black Pursues Clemency from Bush Sinclair Stewart and Paul Waldie, Globe and Mail, November 20, 2008
Treasury Probes Bank Payout to Ex-CEO Dan Freed, The Street, November 20, 2008
Figure in Abramoff Probe Pleads Guilty Derek Kravitz, Washington Post, November 20, 2008
Report: U.S. Aid Not Always Apolitical Colum Lynch, Washington Post, November 20, 2008
Hill Dems Seek to Preserve Endangered Species Rules AP, November 20, 2008
After Losses, Pensions Ask for a Change Mary Williams Walsh, New York Times, November 20, 2008
States Lacking in Children’s Mental Health Care Marilyn Elias, USA Today, November 20, 2008
States Cut Services for Elderly, Disabled Philip Shishkin, Wall Street Journal ($), November 20, 2008