Posts for March 4, 2010

FACTORY ORDERS SEE STRONG GAINS IN JANUARY

March 4, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
Commerce Dept. said factory orders rose 1.7 percent, slightly below the 1.8 percent gain economists had expected, but the biggest jump in four months... continue the article at this link http://www.manufacturing.net/article.aspx?id=245218

JOBLESS CLAIMS FALL, PRODUCTIVITY RISES

March 4, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
In a sign companies are raising output without adding many jobs, productivity rose 6.9 percent in fourth quarter, but jobless claims fell signaling layoffs may be easing... continue the article at this link http://www.manufacturing.net/article.aspx?id=245206


RETAIL SALES RISE IN FEBRUARY

March 4, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
Despite a decline in consumer confidence, retail sales rose 3.7 percent in February, marking the third consecutive monthly sales gain for retailers ... continue the article at this link http://www.manufacturing.net/article.aspx?id=245200

PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNS MEASURE TO TEMPORARILY EXTEND HIGHWAY FUNDING

March 4, 2010 – NAM CapitolBriefing

Following Senate approval late March 2, the President signed into law a 30-day extension of the nation's surface transportation programs. This action will restart highway projects that went idle beginning March 1 due to a stalemate in the Senate that effectively shut down federally sponsored programs and projects funded out of the Highway Trust Fund, which require a congressional authorization to operate. Although the 30-day extension provides a brief reprieve, the NAM is encouraging Congress to pass a longer-term extension that will continue until the end of the calendar year and will include funding that maintains the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund until 2011. This action marks the fourth short-term extension of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), and the NAM is urging the Administration and Congress to make a full and robust surface transportation reauthorization a priority this year.

WHITE HOUSE PRESSES AHEAD ON HEALTH CARE REFORM

March 4, 2010 – NAM CapitolBriefing
The White House has taken the lead on health care, and President Obama has issued a letter and delivered a speech outlining the fundamentals of his final plan. The President's plan includes minor compromises with Republicans but does not include necessary cost-reducing measures. House and Senate leadership are now charged with ensuring there are enough votes for passage through the reconciliation process. Final resolution is possible before April.

EPA SETS EMISSIONS THRESHOLD FOR INITIAL STAGE OF GREENHOUSE GAS REGULATION

March 4, 2010 – Wall Street Journal (3-4)
The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said the agency will set an emissions threshold of at least 75,000 tons a year for power plants and other industrial projects for the initial stage of greenhouse-gas regulations between 2011 to 2012. That announcement prompted industry groups such as the NAM, warned that the regulations would lead to a cascade of lawsuits and damage the economy.

STUDY: CALIF. TOYOTA PLANT CLOSURE WILL COST BILLIONS

March 4, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
New report says it will cost California taxpayers $2.3 billion to replace jobs lost from the closure of a factory that makes Toyota cars and trucks... continue the article at this link http://www.manufacturing.net/article.aspx?id=245188

NAM SURVEY DISPLAYS TOP SMALL AND MEDIUM MANUFACTURERS (SMM) ISSUES

March 4, 2010 – NAM CapitolBriefing
An NAM survey of SMM Board members conducted early this year identified four top issues they say are most important to their businesses and ability to create jobs. Based on the results of the survey, the top issues are: health care, the R&D credit, estate tax, and the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), otherwise known as card check. At a time when manufacturers say they are beginning to see small signs of economic recovery, these issues rate high as creating uncertainty in terms of increased costs and overall competitiveness. These issues were also a topic of discussion at the SMM semi-annual meeting this week. The NAM will continue to advocate that Congress "start over" on health care, pass a permanent and strengthened R&D credit, significantly reform the estate tax and protect the rights of American workers.