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Table of contents
The Following the Money Report 2012
The jobs recovery
The consumer spending
Conclusion
The Following the Money Report 2012
Introduction
Websites that allows citizens to track government spending.
Government’s checkbook: - Who receives state money?
- How much?
- For what purposes?
Democracy: - Fiscal responsibility
- Checks corruption
- Bolsters public confidence.
The Following the Money Report 2012
The report
The US Publice Interest Research Group
(= US PIRG)
Over the past two years:
32 to 46 states give citizens access.
The Following the Money Report 2012
The rating
Imagesfrom: http://www.uspirg.org/reports/usp/following-money-2012
The jobs recovery
↑: 245 000 Jobs (January – March 2012)
↓ to a four-year low: People applying for US unemployment benefits
The jobs recovery
Nonfarm payroll employment
Rose by 120 000 (March)
Employment ↑: - Manufacturing
- Food services & drinking places
- Health care
Employment ↓: - Retail trade
The jobs recovery
The US unemployment rate
9.1% July 8.2% March
23.5 million Americans unemployed/underemployed
The consumer spending
US income ↑
In december (the most in 9 months)
Additional hiring consumer confidence ↑ consumer spending ↑
==> More jobs More income available to spend
US Consumer spending ↑
in february, the most in seven months
US Economy ↑ grew steadily
February - April
The consumer spending
↑ hiring ↑ paychecks!
Wages ↑ Inflation
↑ Gas prices
2011
Income barely ↑
Consumers boost spending by saving less.
Conclusion
Following the money report
US states: more open about their public spending democracy
US jobs recovery
First time since early 2011:
employment ↑ 200,000 for three months in a row.
Recent signs are welcome
BUT: still below pre-crisis peaks
US consumer spending
Increasing
Spend more, save less!
Sources
http://www.ft.com
http://www.bbc.co.uk/finance
http://www.guardian.co.uk
U.S. Bureau of labor statistics