AltWeeklies Wire
When Down is Up: Ten Jobs That Are Doing Well Because You're Notnew

From arms dealer to repo man to private eye, here are some professions that are not only recession-proof, but actually seem to benefit from an economic downturn.
The Inlander |
Joel Smith, Nicholas Deshais, Daniel Walters, Derek Casanovas and Jordy Byrd |
03-05-2009 |
Economy
Tags: jobs, economic issues
Tennessee Gov. Considers Turning His Back on the Unemployednew
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen says he may turn down millions of dollars in federal stimulus money rather than expand unemployment benefits in ways that many other states did long ago.
Nashville Scene |
Jeff Woods |
03-05-2009 |
Economy
In a Time of Growing Need, NYC's Homeless Are Running Out of Optionsnew

This winter, Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration quietly declared a two-front campaign against the shelter system that was developed to assist with the persistent homelessness problem.
New York Press |
Matt Harvey |
03-05-2009 |
Economy
Tags: homelessness, New York City
An Investigator Re-Encounters an Old Rival in the Latest Banking Crisisnew

Richard Newsom is campaigning against what he sees as corruption among overseers of America's savings and loan industry. He is perennially, and profanely, annoyed: Regulators today "lack both the stones and the expertise" to rein in rogue bankers, he claims.
As Economy Struggles, Nonprofits Must Get Creativenew
With donations and grant funding down, charities turn to "social entrepreneurship" to help pay the bills.
East Bay Express |
Cristi Hegranes |
03-04-2009 |
Economy
Tags: nonprofit funding
Budget Cuts Target Virginia's Neediest Kids...To Save $8 Millionnew
One of the most troubling aspects of Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine’s budget proposal is that we do without any state-run emergency mental health beds for those under 18. Both child advocates and mental health watchdogs say this is a terrible idea that will crowd hospitals, correctional facilities and, some worry, morgues.
C-Ville Weekly |
Will Goldsmith |
02-25-2009 |
Economy
Health and Human Services Budget Cuts Will Show on SF Streetsnew
As budget cuts create ripple effects in the lives of health and human services staffers and the clients they serve, a City Hall fight over raising city revenue continues between the Board of Supervisors and the mayor.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Rebecca Bowe |
02-25-2009 |
Economy
Foreclosure and Eviction Crisis Leaves Lots of Pets Homelessnew
Shelters all over the country are reporting rising numbers of dogs, cats, horses, and all kinds of family pets made homeless by the home foreclosure crisis.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Andrea De Brito |
02-25-2009 |
Economy
Tags: economic issues, pet ownership
What Was the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Doing as the Housing Market Went Insane?new
If president Thomas Hoenig saw trouble -- trouble he could have reported to insulated Washington -- he certainly kept pretty quiet about it.
One Woman Challenges Oregon’s Rollover for a Health Insurernew
When Karen Kirsch’s health-insurance premium jumped from $444 a month to $559 a month in one year, she called bullshit on Oregon's State Insurance Division by challenging a rate increase it approved.
Willamette Week |
James Pitkin |
02-18-2009 |
Economy
Connecticut Gov.'s State Budget Is a Real Tear-Jerker, Especially for the Sick and Poornew
There is a fatal flaw in Gov. Jodi Rell's state budget proposal: She promises cuts that'll make you cry but didn't budget any extra for tissues.
New Haven Advocate |
Andy Bromage |
02-17-2009 |
Economy
Ohio Officials Worried About Higher Ed Cuts From Fed Stimulusnew
One provision of the stimulus legislation passed by the U.S. House that sustained cuts during the bipartisan Senate compromise was billions of dollars designed to aid ailing state economies, including funds Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland was counting on to keep tuition frozen next year.
The Athens NEWS |
David DeWitt |
02-13-2009 |
Economy
Perhaps It's Time for the Gov't to Sell What It Doesn't Really Neednew

Real people who have bills and not enough money might put their useless stuff up for sale on eBay. Of course, for government the math does not work that way. In government you either raise taxes or cut programs. But imagine if that were not so.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Richard Abowitz |
02-12-2009 |
Economy
Tags: economic issues
The 10 Percent Shift: Revolutionizing the Way You Shopnew

If you're looking to be the savior of the American economy, the key might not be in how much you buy, but where you buy it.
Dig Boston |
Cara Bayles |
02-11-2009 |
Economy
Canadian Artists Are Getting Poorernew
A new study indicates that Canadian artists are poorer now than they were over a decade ago.
The Georgia Straight |
Jessica Werb |
02-09-2009 |
Economy