Finance

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Do you support Gov. Ed Rendell¹s proposed new taxes on
smokeless tobacco and cigars? Why or why not?

BLOG UPDATE: Capital Domes

Is America turning Japanese?

In the 1980s Americans were paranoid the Japanese would own America.

Click here to continue reading and to comment.

Regional merger-and-acquisition activity dropped sharply in Q4

Merger-and-acquisition activity dropped sharply in the
greater Philadelphia and Central
Pennsylvania regions in the fourth quarter of 2008, a study found.

BLOG UPDATE: the gadget cube

Cool list from Condé Naste Portfolio: 25 innovators in technology.

There's the expected: Google's Sergey Brin, Larry Page and Eric Schmidt; Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Apple's Steve Jobs.

And
there are some less familiar names Evan William, CEO of Twitter; John
Yemma, editor at the Christian Science Monitor; James Inhofe, U.S.
senator from Oklahoma.[...]

BLOG UPDATE: Capital Domes

Does state government spend enough?

On July 4, the
Pennsylvania General Assembly approved -- and Gov. Ed Rendell signed --
a $28.3 billion General Fund Budget. Since then, a $2.3 billion revenue
shortfall has emerged and politicians are scrambling to fill the budget
gap. The cause of this budget deficit should be obvious: Overspending
by state governmen[...]

Pa. credit unions seek Treasury support

The Pennsylvania Credit Union Association urged the U.S.
Treasury Department to consider new options for stabilizing the backbone of the
credit union system.

Panel: Central Pa. needs more international business strategy

A small panel of international businessmen today said
Central Pennsylvania needs a defined strategy for developing international
trade and business during a roundtable at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber of
Commerce in Harrisburg.

The Whiteboard: Pareto’s Law - A simple, powerful tool for tough times

The financial meltdown has put businesses in a serious bind.
Many have been forced to reduce staffing just when it is critical to stay on
top of business.

Staff Column: Supporting HU benefits midstate business

It seems as if bad news is all you hear these days.

Guest Column: Capital Domes Head to Head: On the pros and cons of consolidating school districts in Pennsylvania

Brouillette: Bigger is not better in education

Epstein: Rendell’s education plan ignores the facts

Op-Ed: Project moves forward despite tough economic times

With regard to the Jan. 30 article about commercial and public
projects being put on hold in the current economic climate ("What’s not being
built?"), it’s worthy to note that some public-purpose projects have had the
good fortune of escaping that fate.

Letter: Left-wing group’s data are inaccurate

It is disturbing seeing a respected publication like yours
utilizing data ("Funds would fill Pa. budget
gaps," Feb. 6) from the Center for American Progress to determine the
simulative effect that H.R.1 will have on the economy of Pennsylvania.