Economy Update From NPR: House Approves $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Package

House Approves $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Package The proposal, which would provide a new round of financial support for workers, families and businesses, will now advance to the Senate. Read more on NPR

Economy Update From NPR: Biden’s $1.9 Trillion Rescue Plan: Vital Medicine Or Costly Overkill?

Biden’s $1.9 Trillion Rescue Plan: Vital Medicine Or Costly Overkill? Backers of Biden’s ambitious stimulus plan say it will help struggling families and businesses, but critics say it goes too far. Read more on NPR

Economy Update From NPR: Costco To Raise Minimum Wage To $16 An Hour: ‘This Isn’t Altruism’

Costco To Raise Minimum Wage To $16 An Hour: ‘This Isn’t Altruism’ Next week’s pay increase would put Costco ahead of much of the industry. W. Craig Jelinek said it would reduce turnover and boost productivity. Read more on NPR

Economy Update From NPR: Democrats Say Relief Programs Could Become This Generation’s New Deal

Democrats Say Relief Programs Could Become This Generation’s New Deal Democrats are using the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill to introduce measures they say will reduce poverty. People already at risk for falling behind have seen big setbacks over the past year. Read more on NPR

Economy Update From NPR: For Black Families, Evictions Are Still At A Crisis Point — Despite Moratorium

For Black Families, Evictions Are Still At A Crisis Point — Despite Moratorium “Black individuals make up about 21% of all renters, but they make up 35% of all defendants on eviction cases,” says Peter Hepburn, a researcher for Princeton University’s Eviction Lab. Read more on NPR

Economy Update From NPR: Fed Chair Jerome Powell Warns Of Long Road Ahead To Recover Millions Of Lost Jobs

Fed Chair Jerome Powell Warns Of Long Road Ahead To Recover Millions Of Lost Jobs Powell warned it will take time to put millions of jobless Americans back to work, while also downplaying inflation threats. Read more on NPR

Economy Update From NPR: Who Wins Or Loses If There’s An Increase In The Federal Minimum Wage?

Who Wins Or Loses If There’s An Increase In The Federal Minimum Wage? NPR’s Rachel Martin talks to David Wessel, director of the Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institution, about Democrats’ aim to pass a COVID-19 relief package with a hike in the federal minimum wage. Read more on NPR

Economy Update From NPR: Winter Storm Delivers Another Blow To Communities Of Color

Winter Storm Delivers Another Blow To Communities Of Color Last week’s deep winter freeze exposed a series of inequities. Among them, communities of color in Houston face unique challenges recovering from the storm after already being hit hardest by COVID-19. Read more on NPR

Economy Update From NPR: The Extraordinary Steps Museums Are Taking To Survive The Pandemic

The Extraordinary Steps Museums Are Taking To Survive The Pandemic New York’s Metropolitan Museum is considering selling some art to help pay the bills. NPR’s Rachel Martin talks to museum Director Max Hollein about the financial duress the museum is experiencing. Read more on NPR

Economy Update From NPR: Why Some Texas Residents Now Face Huge Electricity Bills

Why Some Texas Residents Now Face Huge Electricity Bills Texans who managed to keep the lights on during the winter storm are getting sky-high electric bills, the product of a deregulated industry that allows power companies to charge variable rates. Read more on NPR