April 25, 2012

ECONOMIC CONFIDENCE TRENDS UPWARD
Today in Manufacturing

In April, the Zions Bank Consumer Attitude Index (CAI) rose to its highest point ever recorded this month as Utahns’ attitudes continue...
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CHINA SHIFTING MANUFACTURING TO US

CNN Money

"Chinese conglomerates, on a mission to expand their global footprint and avoid 'anti-dumping' tariffs, are shifting more of their production to" the US. "More Chinese manufacturers have been launching their own US facilities in the last five years, said Thilo Hanemann, research director at Rhodium Group, a New York-based economic advisory group." Hanemann said the "biggest investments are being made by Chinese firms with products that have been slapped with hefty anti-dumping tariffs."

U.S. STEEL INDUSTRY IN SLOW RECOVERY
Today in Manufacturing

Steel makers bounced back in the first quarter, but shipments and sales continue to lag pre-recession levels … continue

Washington Post Unearths Supreme Court Polling.

FLAG Weekly Communications (NAM)

One out of 25 Americans thinks Harry Reid is Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? It’s true, according a Pew poll from a few years ago.

The Post writer describes the findings as “amazing,” but it’s not that big of a surprise.

Recall a previous poll about the courts. In 2003, pollsters asked about support for Miguel Estrada, who was appointed by George Bush to the D.C. Circuit but never received a vote in the Senate due to a filibuster. The poll found significant support for Estrada:

“Many of them think President Bush nominated Erik Estrada — I’d say a good third think that way,” Mr. Bendixen said, adding that he heard one person say Mr. Estrada should be confirmed because he did such a good job playing a policeman on “CHiPS.”

NEB., IOWA, MICH. GOVERNORS SAY FEDS GET IN WAY
Today in Manufacturing

Some of those attending the National Governors Association on regional economic development asked for more "stability" concerning federal taxes and regulation...   continue

FED FORECAST: MORE GROWTH, LOWER UNEMPLOYMENT
Today in Manufacturing

The Federal Reserve has revised older predictions and now expects the unemployment rate to be between 7.8 percent and 8 percent at year's end ...   continue

SKILLS GAP LEAVES 10M MANUFACTURING JOBS UNFILLED
Today in Manufacturing

A skilled worker shortage is pervasive despite the high unemployment rate in many developed economies; where companies are struggling to fill manufacturing jobs ...   continue