How the Government Pulls Coronavirus Relief Money Out of Thin Air - The New York Times

How the Government Pulls Coronavirus Relief Money Out of Thin Air – The New York Times

Once-fringe ideas in economic theory are now nearly official policy as government borrowing surges and the Federal Reserve signals it could buy unlimited debt. “Once the central bank buys them (the bonds), it’s as if the Treasury never issued them in the first place,” said Dr. Kelton, “For all intents and purposes, … Continue reading How the Government Pulls Coronavirus Relief Money Out of Thin Air – The New York Times

Bank of England to directly finance extra government spending

Bank of England to directly finance extra government spending

The UK has become the first country to embrace the monetary financing of government to fund the immediate cost of fighting coronavirus, with the Bank of England to directly finance the state’s spending needs on a temporary basis. The move would allow the government to bypass the bond market until the Covid-19 pandemic … Continue reading Bank of England to directly finance extra government spending

$2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Nullifies “How Will You Pay for It?” Question

$2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Nullifies “How Will You Pay for It?” Question

When all of this is behind us, to the extent that it ever can be, let’s not forget what we’ve learned: Congress knows how to spend money when it wants to. Will be helpful when it comes time to address climate change. Source: $2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Nullifies “How Will You Pay … Continue reading $2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Nullifies “How Will You Pay for It?” Question

Italian regions' responses to coronavirus show testing, distancing work - Business Insider

Italian regions’ responses to coronavirus show testing, distancing work – Business Insider

A region of Italy that took earlier and more aggressive measures to fight the coronavirus is now seeing fewer cases. One region, Veneto, tested everybody, even those with no symptoms, and the other region, Lombardy, only tested those with symptoms. The result is that Veneto is seeing a decrease in the spread … Continue reading Italian regions’ responses to coronavirus show testing, distancing work – Business Insider

Airlines are begging for a bailout, but they've used 96% of their cash on stock buybacks over the past 10 years. 

Airlines are begging for a bailout, but they’ve used 96% of their cash on stock buybacks over the past 10 years. 

The Trump administration has proposed $50 billion of emergency aid for airlines ravaged by widespread cancellations amid the coronavirus pandemic. But critics are deriding it as a bailout to an industry that made bad financial decisions. Resistance to the plan emerged among Democrats and even some Republicans. They’re concerned that extra money … Continue reading Airlines are begging for a bailout, but they’ve used 96% of their cash on stock buybacks over the past 10 years.