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Business, finance, jobs and the economy

  • Friday, May 9, 2008

    In an effort to boost sales, Chrysler announced an incentive to cap the price of gas at $2.99 a gallon for the next three years for consumers who buy or lease vehicles through June 2. The following Central Michigan University experts are available to comment on the possible success of the program based on consumer behavior, as well as how it might affect gas consumption. Read the Story

  • Thursday, April 24, 2008

    A recent surge in gas prices has prompted drivers throughout the country to wonder what the cause might be and how long we can expect this to last. CMU economist Philip Thompson says that it has a great deal to do with demand and supply in the oil market, along with the declining dollar in the U.S., and he doesn't see gas prices decreasing in the near future. Thompson is available to speak about this issue. Read the Story

  • Wednesday, April 23, 2008

    Michigan residents may not have much of a choice in the future when deciding where to get their energy. If proposed energy legislation is passed it would limit the amount of competition for Consumers Energy and DTE, giving them the majority of the state's consumer base. According to CMU finance and law faculty member Ted Bolema, who also serves as an energy policy specialist with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, there is room for improvement in Michigan's electricity competition laws. "Introducing electricity choice in Michigan was a positive development, but it can be improved by leveling the playing field for all suppliers," Bolema said. Read the Story

  • Wednesday, April 2, 2008

    The U.S. Department of Justice recently approved the proposed merger of Sirius and XM, the nation's two satellite radio providers, raising questions about the regulation of the media marketplace. Central Michigan University School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts faculty member Heather Polinsky, an expert on media economics and media policy, is available to comment on the proposed merger. Read the Story

  • Wednesday, February 20, 2008

    A merger with Delta Airlines would be Northwest Airlines' second this year, following the acquisition of Midwest Airlines at the end of January, and would form the largest airline in the U.S. Central Michigan University finance and law faculty member Ted Bolema says that with Northwest's position of having the greatest share of routes in the Midwest and Delta's strengths in other parts of the county, it appears unlikely that a merger between the two would attract significant opposition and could probably proceed with few or no divestitures. Bolema is available for commentary on the issue. Read the Story

  • Friday, January 18, 2008

    Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney claims that Michigan is in a "one-state recession." Is this characterization accurate? Central Michigan University economist Jason Taylor is available to comment on this issue and what needs to be done to turn Michigan's economy around. Read the Story

  • Friday, November 9, 2007

    The housing market in Michigan has succumbed to what experts are saying is one the worst slumps in state history. At present, Michigan ranks fourth in the country in foreclosure filings &mdash with one filing for every 102 households. The downturn also has resulted in a record number of antsy sellers, a stockpile of homes, and a drop in real estate agents working in the industry. Last year, the Michigan Association of Realtors lost 10 percent of its membership due to the slump, which many experts predict will last for at least another 17 months. Patrick Corcoran, a real estate professor at CMU, and former real estate finance researcher on Wall Street, is available to speak with media. Read the Story

  • Thursday, October 4, 2007

    While Michigan's economy adjusts to the recent continuation state budget agreement, one Central Michigan University professor with expertise in credit ratings believes income tax and sales tax increases may lead to lower interest rates on state borrowing. Read the Story

  • Wednesday, October 3, 2007

    As Michiganians grapple with the state's stressed economy and a continuation state budget agreement that calls for tax increases and nearly $440 million in cuts, questions are looming about the future. A Central Michigan University political science professor with expertise in state government is available to speak with the media about continuing budget deliberations. Read the Story

  • Theodore Bolema

    Thursday, June 28, 2007

    SOURCE:Ted Bolemafinance and law517-230-0861 (preferred method of contact June 28 and 29)bolem1tr@cmich.eduThe Supreme Court today ruled in the case of Leegin Creative Leather Products v. PSKS Inc. that vertical minimum resale price maintenance agreements should not remain per se, or... Read the Story

  • Theodore Bolema

    Tuesday, May 15, 2007

    SOURCE:Theodore Bolema, finance and lawCentral Michigan University517-230-0861bolem1tr@cmich.eduWith the announcement of the purchase of 80 percent of DaimlerChrysler by the private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, many questions are being asked about business mergers and their impact. Central Michigan University finance... Read the Story

  • Tuesday, April 24, 2007

    SOURCE:Brigitte Bechtoldprofessor of sociology989-774-3424becht1bh@cmich.eduJust when women thought that the workplace was becoming equal, a study released Monday finds that it is still a man's world; females earn 80 percent of what men earn one year after graduation from college, and... Read the Story

  • Ted Bolema

    Monday, March 26, 2007

    SOURCE:Ted Bolema, finance and lawCentral Michigan UniversityOffice Phone: 989-774-4429Cell Phone: 517-230-0861bolem1tr@cmich.eduSupreme Court oral arguments begin today in the case of Leegin Creative Leather Products v. PSKS Inc. to determine whether vertical minimum resale price maintenance agreements should remain per se,... Read the Story

  • Monday, January 8, 2007

    SOURCE:Jason Taylor, economicsCentral Michigan University989-774-2578taylo2je@cmich.eduWith Democrats taking control of both Houses of Congress last week and hitting the ground running with an "aggressive" agenda for their first 100 hours of legislative work, Central Michigan University associate professor of economics Jason... Read the Story

  • Monday, November 13, 2006

    As temperatures fall and winter sets in once again, consumers begin to worry about how much their home heating bill will be. The price of natural gas is expected to be down somewhat this coming winter from last, according to Philip Thompson, Central Michigan University economics professor and authority on energy and regulatory economics. Read the Story

  • Friday, September 29, 2006

    Are high wages a cause of prosperity or, rather, a result of it? That is the question that Jason Taylor, Central Michigan University economics faculty member, asks in reaction to the minimum wage increase from $5.15 to $6.95 which will take effect Sunday. Read the Story

  • Tuesday, September 26, 2006

    "Digital dirt": It's a relatively new term used to describe the unprofessional, often risky and even potentially scandalous information and images that people post about themselves online, from pictures of intoxication-induced escapades to blog rants about anything from professors to politics. Central Michigan University Director of Career Services Julia Barlow Sherlock is available to comment on digital dirt and its consequences. Read the Story

  • Monday, September 18, 2006

    With 4,000 salaried positions cut from Ford Motor Co. to date this year, Friday's announcement of 10,000 more cuts hits Michigan hard. Central Michigan University economics faculty member Richard Hill is available to comment on the recent plant closings and downsizing decisions. Read the Story

  • Wednesday, March 29, 2006

    Two Central Michigan University faculty sources are available to talk about the new Michigan minimum wage law, signed by Gov. Granholm, which goes into effect Oct. 1. Read the Story

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