Maryland’s business groups have dug in opposing sides of the gas tax debate, prompting early sniping between advocates that are most often allies. Transportation funding has emerged as one of the top issues for the General Assembly, one that could ...

Tagged with: budget chamber of commerce Donald C. Fry funding gas prices gas tax General Assembly Greater Baltimore Committee increase Martin O'Malley maryland National Federation of Independent Business

WASHINGTON — Metro General Manager Richard Sarles says the transit agency’s budget deficit is expected to be $6 million less than originally projected. The amount was originally projected to be $72 million, but it is now forecast at $66 million. ...

Tagged with: budget deficit gas prices metrorail operating budget revenue richard sarles ridership Transportation

DOVER, Del. — Gasoline prices apparently have become so scary that more motorists in the region are afraid to stop at the pump. The motor club AAA Mid-Atlantic says calls from members who have run out of gas are up ...

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WASHINGTON — More expensive gas pushed U.S. wholesale prices higher last month, although pricier cars and furniture also contributed to increase. The Producer Price Index, which measures price changes before they reach the consumer, rose 0.7 percent in March, the ...

Tagged with: cars Energy energy prices food prices gas prices index inflation labor Labor Department producer price index wholesale prices

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy improved in every region of the country this spring, but higher oil prices remain a concern, according to a survey released Wednesday by the Federal Reserve. Factories were busier, consumers spent more and companies boosted ...

Tagged with: consumers Economy federal reserve Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gas prices increase middle east oil prices Recession spending u.s.

Soaring gas prices are starting to take a toll on American drivers. Across the country, people are pumping less into the tank, reversing what had been a steady increase in demand for fuel. For five weeks in a row, they ...

Tagged with: americans driving Economy fuel gas gas prices oil

NEW YORK — A late Easter, lingering cold weather and rising gas prices are squeezing discretionary spending this spring, according to data being released Wednesday. Figures from MasterCard Advisors’ SpendingPulse show sales growth slowed in some categories last month. But ...

Tagged with: gas prices j.c. penney co. Kohl's mastercard online sales Retail retailers

WASHINGTON — Facing pressure to curb rising gasoline prices, President Barack Obama is calling for the U.S. to reduce its oil imports by one third by 2025, a lofty goal likely to run into significant obstacles. The White House said ...

Tagged with: Energy gas prices

Rising prices at the gas pump and in grocery aisles are starting to crimp shoppers’ outlook. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index fell sharply from a three-year high in February, reversing five straight months of improvement. The decline raises questions ...

Tagged with: conference board consumer confidence consumer confidence index economists Economy factset gas prices shoppers

WASHINGTON — Higher oil and food prices. Unemployment near 9 percent. Crises in the Middle East and Japan. The U.S. economy faces threats at home and abroad that have the potential to dull growth or stoke inflation. Or both. When ...

Tagged with: Economy federal reserve gas prices japan middle east Recession u.s. Unemployment