Economy
The UAW won the strike, so why doesn’t Donald Trump want to talk about it?
This commentary originally appeared in the Michigan Advance. After decades of eroding wages and benefits, UAW workers last month won blockbuster contracts with the Detroit Three that few thought possible. During the “Stand Up Strike” — an homage to the Sit-down Strike against General Motors in Depression Era Flint that spawned the first industry collective […]
President in stop at Pueblo wind tower factory touts ‘Bidenomics,’ blasts Boebert
Tony Salerno is a former steelworker who has worked at CS Wind’s sprawling wind tower factory outside of Pueblo for 10 years. Only a few years ago, he said Wednesday, the plant — the largest manufacturer of wind towers in the world — was struggling amid an uncertain outlook for the clean energy industry. “We […]
Mike Lindell’s conspiracy-fueled pillow company fights to survive his election obsession
This story originally appeared at the Minnesota Reformer. CHASKA, Minn. — Pillow mogul Mike Lindell calls up former Michigan state senator Patrick Colbeck, who works for something Lindell made up called the Election Crime Bureau, to talk about press strategy. Lindell tells Colbeck a press release needs to mention his “offense fund,” to which people […]
The resurgence of union power is bigger than money
This commentary originally appeared in the Indiana Capital Chronicle. The Portland Public Schools (PPS) and the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) reached a tentative agreement to their labor dispute on Sunday. The impasse had led to a three-week strike, cancelling eleven instructional days in Oregon’s largest school district. Students returned to the classroom Monday. The […]
U.S. Senate panel advances former Maryland governor’s nomination to lead Social Security
WASHINGTON — Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley moved one step closer Tuesday to becoming the next Social Security commissioner, a role that would become increasingly difficult as the program inches closer to insolvency during the next decade. The U.S. Senate Finance Committee voted 17-10 to send O’Malley’s nomination to the floor, though it’s not clear […]
Retailers pare back their seasonal hiring to prepare for ho-hum holidays
Black Friday shoppers may notice longer lines and fewer retail associates in some of their favorite stores than in past holiday seasons as retailers scale back seasonal hiring over concerns about consumer spending. JCPenney is hiring 12,000 fewer workers than last year. Macy’s 3,000 fewer. Meanwhile a Walmart executive said the retail giant has been […]
Colorado lawmakers pass property tax relief as special session wraps up
The Colorado Legislature wrapped up its four-day special session focused on property taxes on Monday with some drama, ushering through a relief plan that closely resembles the core of a failed ballot measure and additional bills with targeted relief for low-income Coloradans and renters. “The call for this special session gave us a clear directive […]
Pair of special session bills heads to governor’s desk as property tax relief nears finish line
Two bills from the Colorado Legislature’s special session on property taxes are headed to the desk of Gov. Jared Polis after weekend work, and lawmakers could wrap up work on the rest of the legislation as soon as Monday. While Polis called the special session to focus on softening the impact of rising property taxes […]
‘Out of control’: Advocates rally in D.C. calling for action on housing crisis
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Washington state Democrat, joined about 100 tenant advocates at a press event outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to demand action on the housing crisis. Jayapal, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called on the Federal Housing Finance Agency to bolster tenant protections and rent regulations. The People’s […]
Oklahoma senator challenges Teamsters president to fight at U.S. Senate hearing
WASHINGTON — Sen. Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, challenged the head of the Teamsters union to a physical fight at a U.S. Senate hearing Tuesday intended to showcase how labor unions are making families’ lives better. The tense confrontation at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing stemmed from acrimonious posts on social […]
Voters pass Proposition II, boosting Colorado’s universal preschool program with tobacco tax revenues
Colorado voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure that will allow the state to retain excess revenue from taxes on tobacco and nicotine products to support its new universal preschool program. Unofficial results showed more than 66% of voters statewide cast a ballot for Proposition II as of 10 p.m. on Tuesday. It was […]
Colorado voters decisively reject property tax measure backed by Democrats
A proposal backed by Colorado Democrats to cut property tax rates while allowing the state to retain more excess tax revenue in the long term appeared to be decisively rejected by voters on Tuesday. Unofficial results showed Proposition HH, referred to the 2023 ballot by Democratic majorities in the Legislature, garnering just 39% support out […]