No, Donald Trump Did Not 'Shrink' Government
Annual federal spending grew by $940 billion under his signature, even before the coronavirus.
Government Spending
Republicans, Democrats Debate Whether Next Relief Bill Should Be $1 Trillion or $2 Trillion
Plus: Uber, Lyft threaten to suspend California operations following court decision; New Zealand reimposes lockdown measures in response to new COVID-19 cases; and Kamala Harris's hawkish foreign policy
Why Stimulus Spending Fails
More spending means more debt and more future taxes.
San Francisco Judge Rules Drivers With Ride-Sharing Companies Are Employees. Uber Warns It'll Have To Raise Prices By as Much as 111 Percent.
Plus: Federal government spent $250 billion on expanded unemployment benefits, Joe Biden's V.P. pick is "imminent," and Ben Shapiro takes on Cardi B
The COVID-19 Pandemic Is Crushing State Budgets. A Federal Bailout Is Still a Bad Idea.
There is no state that will weather the COVID-19 pandemic without making difficult decisions. But the revenue hit will be less severe in places that were being thrifty and vigilant.
The Next Coronavirus Stimulus Plan: More Spending, Smaller Unemployment Benefits, and Tax Breaks for Going Out To Eat
Senate Republicans announced Monday that the federal government will pay an additional $200 per week in unemployment benefits. The $600 per week benefits boost will expire on July 31.
'CARES' Package Part Two Is Coming, to the Tune of at Least $1 Trillion
Plus: Gun groups for black Americans are growing, a promising new study on opening schools, and more...
Trump Administration Data Claims Coronavirus Relief Program Saved Tens of Thousands of Jobs That Probably Don't Exist
White House brags about the supposed success of the coronavirus relief program are based on shoddy data.
Has the U.S. Government Finally Spent Too Much?
When COVID-19 arrived in America, Uncle Sam was already deep in debt.
Did Trump's Coronavirus Stimulus Save 51 Million Jobs? The Claim Relies on Shaky Math and Questionable Economics.
Even if it's true, taxpayers paid $58,000 for each saved job.
The Paycheck Protection Program Is a Mess. Here's Who Is Benefitting From the Dysfunction.
A program designed to keep workers on payrolls showered benefits on lobbyists, advocacy groups, and even members of Congress.
The Next Pandemic Will Be Caused by the National Debt. It Will Crater the Economy.
Debt held by the public equals about 100 percent of GDP. That's hurting growth and will fuel a major crisis.
As Delayed Tax Day Approaches, Consider What You Get for Your Money
Do you appreciate the incompetence, in-fighting, obstructionism, authoritarianism, and waste that you pay for?
The Feds Sent More than 1 Million Coronavirus Stimulus Payments to Dead People, GAO Says
As much as $1.4 billion might have been paid to deceased Americans. The IRS says that money must be returned.
All Statues Should Be Private
We should celebrate our fandom on our own dime, and on our own property.
The Federal Government Spent Nearly $3 Trillion on Coronavirus Relief. Oversight Has Been a Mess.
Members of Congress may have benefited from small business funds, and government watchdogs are warning that the program appears susceptible to fraud.
Give Individuals and Small Businesses a Government-Backed Line of Credit
An economic response to COVID-19 that's fiscally responsible.
It's Official: Money Printer Go Brrr
The Reason Roundtable discusses Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's 60 Minutes admission, as well as the Libertarian Party presidential race post-Justin Amash
As COVID-19 Approached, CDC Asked Congress for More Money To Fight the Drug War
Most of the items included in the CDC's 2021 budget request are important, serious matters. But many have nothing to do with the agency's mission.
The Next Coronavirus Stimulus Bill Is Here. It's a $3 Trillion Spending Plan That Bails Out States and the Post Office.
The new bill includes another round of stimulus checks for all Americans, funds additional coronavirus testing, and spends billions to bail out states and government agencies straining under pension debt.
Coronavirus Stimulus Has Cost $3.6 Trillion, but Oversight Is Still Severely Lacking
Before spending another dollar, Congress should make sure someone is keeping an eye how the largest pile of government cash in American history is being spent.
New York Paid $69 Million to a Shady Vendor for Ventilators That Were Never Delivered
New funding and new powers haven't made government bureaucracies more competent.
Here's Why Rep. Justin Amash Opposes the CARES Act
The libertarian-leaning congressman says the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses discriminates against those that most need it.
The Next Stimulus: Infrastructure Week, Another Rural Broadband Boondoggle, and Maybe a Sports Bailout?
It's obvious that there will be more government spending in response to the coronavirus, but distinguishing the essential from the nice-to-have is more important than ever.
Health Care Expert Avik Roy on Saving the Economy From COVID-19
"The more we lock down the economy, the more we harm those individuals who are most vulnerable, who don't have the cash cushions or the white-collar jobs that allow them to keep going."
Senate Approves Fourth Round of Coronavirus Spending: $484 Billion for Small Businesses, Testing, Hospitals
The deal primarily sets aside $320 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses.
Budget Deficit Now Expected To Near $4 Trillion This Year
And more coronavirus stimulus spending could send that number soaring higher.
4 Reasons Small Businesses Are Struggling With the Paycheck Protection Program
Unclear terms, unrealistic loan forgiveness, a site unprepared for launch, and a bottomless demand for cash
Unable To Handle Criticism of Coronavirus Stimulus Waste, Trump Fires Another Watchdog
Glenn Fine was abruptly removed from his post without explanation.
Trump Wants $2 Trillion, Pelosi Wants $1 Trillion, for Next Coronavirus Spending Bill
President Donald Trump, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi all agree that a fourth spending bill will happen in April but are haggling over the cost.
Coronavirus Reveals Utter Sameness of Democrats and Republicans
The election committees of both parties use the same language to attack Rep. Justin Amash (I–Mich.).
Are There Fiscal Conservatives in a Pandemic? The Club for Growth Says It Doesn't Matter.
The Club for Growth prides itself on holding lawmakers accountable "by publicizing their voting record." Except, well…not right now.
How the Government Bungled the Coronavirus Response
"We have the capacity to keep this contained," Mayor Bill de Blasio told New Yorkers on March 2.
Airlines Make Out Like Bandits in $2.3 Trillion Coronavirus Aid Bill
A lot of industries and individuals are suffering right now. A select few corporations are getting big bailouts.
Massie, and That Pesky Constitution, Hold Up COVID-19 Bailout Bill
Plus: civic dynamism on display, Justice Department embraces home detainment of federal prisoners, and more...
The Senate's COVID-19 Relief Bill Is a Crony Capitalist Dream
Plus: COVID-19 in prisons and jails, Trump campaign threatens TV stations, state disparities in new coronavirus cases, and more...
The Most Libertarian Congressman Wants To Send People Checks. Here's Why.
"Americans need fast, direct relief," says Justin Amash.
Last Week, the Public Transit Industry Asked for $12.8 Billion in Emergency Funding. The Senate GOP Relief Bill Gives Transit $20 Billion. House Dems Want $25 Billion.
The public transit bailout is spiraling out of control.
'It's a Very Large Package': Coronavirus Stimulus Plan Now Costs More Than $1 Trillion
Lawmakers are still seeking a compromise.
A Trillion-Dollar Deficit This Year Is Now Officially the Best Case Scenario
The coronavirus is going to crater tax revenues and hike spending. And the Congressional Budget Office says the deficit was going to exceed $1 trillion even before all that.
The Cronyism Buried in the Latest Coronavirus Relief Bill
It requires companies to allow its workers to take paid sick leave, unless the business employs more than 500 people. What?
Coronavirus Is the Health of the State
The disease will leave behind a residue of laws, spending, and precedents for future government actions.
Dems Want to Combat Coronavirus By Mandating Paid Sick Leave for Stalking Victims?
The House bill seems to be more focused on leveraging political points than fighting coronavirus. Republicans can relate.
No, Stimulus Spending Wouldn't Be an Economic Vaccine Against the Coronavirus
If it works at all (and it usually doesn't), a fiscal stimulus is meant to boost demand. The biggest potential economic problem from coronavirus has to do with supply.
