Economy

February 20, 2006 - Building on the successful 2004 ballot initiative in Florida, advocates for workers are pushing to pass minimum wages increases across the country, including here in North Carolina.

February 9, 2006 - From the Washington Post, the Virginia legislature rejected a proposed state minimum wage increase to $6.15 per hour, leaving the current federal minimum wage standard of $5.15 in place.

February 2, 2006 - For the first time in its 131 year history, the Kentucky Derby will have corporate sponsorship. Churchill Downs has signed a five year sponsorship deal with Louisville-based Yum Brands, owners of KFC, Pizza Hut, and other fast food chains. The event will be called "The Kentucky Derby presented by Yum!

January 17, 2006 - Posted by R. Neal New pension rules may result in reduced benefits:

January 12, 2006 - Posted by R. Neal

January 9, 2006 - Turns out that the State Treasurer of North Carolina isn't the only one who has recently found religion about the need to boost the minimum wage.

January 9, 2006 - If you work hard, you shouldn't live in poverty. A simple idea, it seems, but for millions of workers wages have stagnated or are in decline, and Congress refuses to raise the floor by increasing the federal minimum wage.

December 6, 2005 - Getting ready to head to New Orleans, I'm a little behind commenting on a few big events in the Southern political landscape, including the announcement last week that nearly 5,000 janitors in Houston had voted to "go union":

November 17, 2005 - Posted by R. Neal

November 11, 2005 - Auto leader Nissan has announced it's pulling up stakes from California, and moving its U.S. headquarters to a more modest location: