Patrick Temple-West

WASHINGTON — High-speed rail and community development block grant funds were among the $2 billion of cuts in a “bridge” continuing resolution enacted Saturday, which narrowly averted a federal government shutdown.

WASHINGTON — Wholesale inventories increased 1.0% in February as wholesale sales dropped 0.8%, the Commerce Department reported Friday.

WASHINGTON — Wholesale inventories increased 1.0% in February as wholesale sales dropped 0.8%, the Commerce Department reported Friday.

WASHINGTON — The prospect for a federal government shutdown grew more ominous Thursday, leaving state and local groups with unanswered questions about whether federal payments will be halted if lawmakers fail to reach agreement on a fiscal 2011 budget compromise before midnight Friday.

WASHINGTON — Initial jobless claims dropped by 10,000 to 382,000 for the week ending April 2, the lowest level in five weeks, as the four-week moving average for initial claims declined for the first time in three weeks, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

WASHINGTON - Consumer credit increased by $7.6 billion, or 3.8%, in February, the fifth consecutive increase and the largest percentage gain since June 2008, the Federal Reserve reported Thursday.

WASHINGTON - Initial jobless claims dropped by 10,000 to 382,000 for the week ending April 2, the lowest level in five weeks, as the four-week moving average for initial claims declined for the first time in three weeks, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

The top tax-writing lawmakers said Wednesday that while a debate about the tax-exempt status of state and local bonds will certainly be in the mix as part of a broader tax-reform debate, it is too early in the discussion to delve into specific issues.

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers on Tuesday moved forward with two legislative efforts to overhaul the U.S. tax code, which would either halt, or threaten, tax-exemption for new muni bonds.

WASHINGTON — A congressional research report has underscored the high cost of tax-exempt debt to the federal government just as some members of Congress are weighing whether to propose curbs on such debt.

WASHINGTON — Architects are urging lawmakers to reinstate the Build America Bond program.

WASHINGTON — Market participants are questioning why Sen. Ron Wyden is drafting legislation that would create a new type of tax-credit bond for transportation projects, warning there is not much of a market for tax-credit bonds.

WASHINGTON — Construction spending fell 1.4% on a seasonally adjusted annual rate in February as the level of total spending dropped to the lowest amount since October 1999, the Commerce Department reported Friday.

WASHINGTON — Non-farm payrolls increased by 216,000 and the unemployment rate dropped to the lowest level in two years, the Labor Department reported Friday.

WASHINGTON - Construction spending fell 1.4% on a seasonally adjusted annual rate in February as the level of total spending dropped to the lowest amount since October 1999, the Commerce Department reported Friday.

WASHINGTON - U.S. employment conditions proved to be resilient in the face of global crises in March as non-farm payrolls increased by 216,000 and the unemployment rate dropped to the lowest level in two years, the Labor Department reported Friday.

WASHINGTON — Factory orders retreated 0.1% in February, the first decline since October, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.

WASHINGTON — Initial jobless claims dropped 6,000 to 388,000 for the week ending March 26, following an upward revision to last week’s figure, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

WASHINGTON - Factory orders retreated 0.1% in February, the first decline since October, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.

WASHINGTON - Initial jobless claims dropped 6,000 to 388,000 for the week ending March 26, following an upward revision to last week's figure, the Labor Department reported Thursday.