1
Trump’s Tariffs, Once Seen as Leverage, May Be Here to Stay
ANA SWANSON at NYT > Politics - 1 hour ago
The president’s latest trade measures have left the United States with the
highest tariff rate among the most developed countries, outranking Canada,
Germany, Russia and even China.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercantilism
2
House Panel Investigates Obstruction Claims Against Trump Lawyers
NICHOLAS FANDOS and MAGGIE HABERMAN at NYT > Politics - 1 hour ago
The House Intelligence Committee has opened an inquiry into Michael D.
Cohen’s claims that lawyers for President Trump and his family helped shape
false testimony.
Justice was obstructed.
2
Scrutiny of Russia Investigation Is Said to Be a Review, Not a Criminal Inquiry
CHARLIE SAVAGE, ADAM GOLDMAN and NICHOLAS FANDOS at NYT > Politics - 1 hour ago
The federal prosecutor assigned to the review, John H. Durham, has no
subpoena power and cannot compel witnesses to testify.
The Republicans are fishing.
3
The Republicans are fishing.
3
Judge Signals Skepticism About Trump’s Bid to Block Subpoena for Financial Records
CHARLIE SAVAGE at NYT > Politics - 1 hour ago
An early court test for President Trump’s vow to stonewall all subpoenas
could be the start of a long fight over congressional oversight.
Congress has the power of oversight.
4
Congress has the power of oversight.
4
Donald Trump Jr. Strikes Deal for ‘Limited’ Interview With Intelligence Committee
MAGGIE HABERMAN and NICHOLAS FANDOS at NYT > Politics - 1 hour ago
An agreement between Donald Trump Jr. and the Senate Intelligence Committee
for a “limited” interview appears to have defused tensions among Senate
Republicans
The Senate is resolved not to look.
5
The Senate is resolved not to look.
5
Republicans Balk at More Tariffs as Trump Mulls More Farm Aid
ALAN RAPPEPORT at NYT > Politics - 1 hour ago
The agricultural sector continues to feel pain from trade wars.
The farmers know who is hurting them.
6
The farmers know who is hurting them.
6
Biden and Ocasio-Cortez Spar Over Climate Policy in Intraparty Spat
KATIE GLUECK at NYT > Politics - 1 hour ago
After Ms. Ocasio-Cortez attacked any politician who would take a middle
ground approach to the environment, Mr. Biden said she should “look at my
record.”
It is primary time.
7
It is primary time.
7
House Panel Investigates Obstruction Claims Against Trump Lawyers
NICHOLAS FANDOS and MAGGIE HABERMAN at NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago
The House Intelligence Committee has opened an inquiry into Michael D.
Cohen’s claims that lawyers for President Trump and his family helped shape
false testimony.
Keeping Trump busy and occupied.
8
Keeping Trump busy and occupied.
8
Uber Drivers Are Contractors, Not Employees, Labor Board Says
NOAM SCHEIBER at NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago
The National Labor Relations Board’s position is a setback for drivers who
had hoped to join forces to push for better pay and working conditions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Labor_Relations_Board
" The NLRB is governed by a five-person board and a General Counsel, all of whom are appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate."
The Republicans have controled the Senate for eight years.
9
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Labor_Relations_Board
" The NLRB is governed by a five-person board and a General Counsel, all of whom are appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate."
The Republicans have controled the Senate for eight years.
9
Los Angeles Area Home Sales Increased 1% YoY in April, Inventory up 10% YoY
Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 3 hours ago
From Pacific Union chief economist Selma Hepp: Spring has finally sprung in
Los Angeles housing markets
After doldrum housing market activity in Los Angeles through the first
quarter of 2019, April has finally brought some cheer. *Number of homes
sold compared to last year increased 1 percent overall*, mostly driven by
increases in sales of homes priced between $1 and $2 million (up 8
percent), and sales of homes priced below $1 million (up 2 percent). Higher
priced homes (above $2 million) continue to trend below last year’s levels,
but are still ahead compared to 2017 and 2016.
..... more »
Demand is light.
10
Demand is light.
10
Why the U.S.-China Trade War Could Be Long and Painful: No Off-Ramps
NEIL IRWIN at NYT > Politics - 4 hours ago
There’s a shrinking supply of the ‘constructive ambiguity’ that would let
each side present a deal as a win.
Trump does not recognize a tariff as a tax and the noncommodity aspects of industry.
Tariff walls must appear permanent to stimulate domestic production.
11
Trump does not recognize a tariff as a tax and the noncommodity aspects of industry.
Tariff walls must appear permanent to stimulate domestic production.
11
MBA: "Foreclosure inventory rate still at lowest level since 1995"
Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 6 hours ago
From the MBA: Mortgage Delinquencies Rise in the First Quarter of 2019
*The delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential
properties rose to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.42 percent of all loans
outstanding at the end of the first quarter*, according to the Mortgage
Bankers Association’s (MBA) National Delinquency Survey.
Despite an uptick of 36 basis points on a quarterly basis, the delinquency
rate was still down 21 basis points from one year ago. The percentage of
loans on which foreclosure actions were started last quarter fell by 5
basis points from a y... more »
Banks have been cautious.
12
Banks have been cautious.
12
Beto O’Rourke Says Vanity Fair Cover Reinforced ‘Perception of Privilege’
LISA LERER at NYT > Politics - 7 hours ago
Appearing on “The View,” Mr. O’Rourke said he had failed to acknowledge the
advantages of running for president as a white man earlier in his campaign.
This is a primary election.
The View may not reach the important audience.
13
This is a primary election.
The View may not reach the important audience.
13
Warren Calls Fox News a ‘Hate-for-Profit Racket’ and Refuses an Appearance
MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM and MATT STEVENS at NYT > Politics - 7 hours ago
Senator Elizabeth Warren said she would not participate in a Fox News town
hall-style event, but some of her 2020 Democratic rivals have taken up the
network’s offer.
Smart.
Perhaps not wise.
14
Smart.
Perhaps not wise.
14
Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Has Blunted Police Efforts to Be Tough on Crime
ZOLAN KANNO-YOUNGS at NYT > Politics - 7 hours ago
Requests for U visas are declining, a sign that undocumented crime victims
are losing hope in the program and are less inclined to help the
authorities stop criminals.
"Witness tampering."
15
"Witness tampering."
15
Where Steve Bullock Stands on the Issues
MAGGIE ASTOR at NYT > Politics - 7 hours ago
Mr. Bullock, the latest Democrat to announce his presidential campaign, was
twice elected governor of deep-red Montana. But his policies aren’t all
centrist.
He must get a few deligates.
16
He must get a few deligates.
16
Steve Bullock, Montana Governor, Is Running for President
JONATHAN MARTIN at NYT > Politics - 7 hours ago
Mr. Bullock, a little-known moderate from a lightly populated state, joins
a field dominated by high-profile candidates from the two coasts.
He must get a few deligates.
17
He must get a few deligates.
17
NY Fed Q1 Report: "Total Household Debt Rises for 19th Straight Quarter, Now Nearly $1 Trillion Above Previous Peak"
Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 8 hours ago
From the NY Fed: Total Household Debt Rises for 19th Straight Quarter, Now
Nearly $1 Trillion Above Previous Peak
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Center for Microeconomic Data today
issued its Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit, which shows that *total
household debt increased by $124 billion (0.9%) to $13.67 trillion in the
first quarter of 2019*. It was the 19th consecutive quarter with an
increase, and the total is now $993 billion higher than the previous peak
of $12.68 trillion in the third quarter of 2008. The Report is based on
data from the New York Fed’s C... more »
The children must be educated.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Is_a_Force_That_Gives_Us_Meaning
18
The children must be educated.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Is_a_Force_That_Gives_Us_Meaning
18
Where Steve Bullock Stands on the Issues
MAGGIE ASTOR at NYT > Politics - 9 hours ago
Mr. Bullock, the latest Democrat to announce his presidential campaign, was
twice elected governor of deep-red Montana. But his policies aren’t all
centrist
He must get a few deligates.
19
He must get a few deligates.
19
Small Business Optimism Index increased in April
Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 10 hours ago
CR Note: Most of this survey is noise, but there is some information,
especially on the labor market and the "Single Most Important Problem".
From the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB): April 2019
Report: Small Business Optimism Index
*The Small Business Optimism Index improved, increasing 1.7 points to 103.5*.
One Index component fell, one was unchanged, and eight improved.
..
*More new jobs were created in April, although at a slower pace than in the
last quarter*, with a net addition of 0.32 workers per firm.
…
Twenty-four percent of owners cited the difficulty of... more »
The trend is down.
The trend is down.
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