How “joint fundraising committees” bring in hefty political donations without technically running afoul of contribution limits; plus, checking in on the Biden administration’s multi-billion-dollar plan to remove lead pipes — and improve drinking water safety — across the country.

How political fundraisers increase contributions without going over the legal limit

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The latest data from the Federal Reserve’s favorite inflation measure hinted that inflation is cooling. But the Fed is still on guard, meaning higher interest rates for longer than many had expected. We’ll get into how that will likely be felt differently by Americans at opposite ends of the income spectrum. Then, we’ll get into the risky return of zero-down mortgages. Plus, we’ll weigh in on Chevy Malibus and merch during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!
 
Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Inflation Remains Steady, With Signs of Further Cooling” from The New York Times
“Zero-down mortgages are making a comeback” from CNN
“CFPB Launches Inquiry into Junk Fees in Mortgage Closing Costs” from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
“GM to discontinue the Chevy Malibu later this year” from Marketplace
“Zoom cashiers may signal a new era of digital offshoring and remote work” from Marketplace
“Venice’s new admission fee cannot curb overtourism” from The Economist
“Chobani Yogurt Founder Buys Anchor Brewing Company” from The New York Times
“The End of Merch” from GQ

 
We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.


The long game of high interest rates

The economy is cooling, based on the latest inflation report, in part because American consumers are pulling back on spending. That’s good news for the Federal Reserve and its 2% inflation target. Also in this episode: GM says goodbye to the Malibu, OPEC+ members to talk about production quotas, and teen boys flock to luxury perfume counters.

Slowly, but surely, the economy is cooling

Markets end mixed; Core PCE inflation cools; Gap shares pop; Anchor Brewing finds buyer.

Feds preferred gauge of inflation cools

PCE inflation was at an annual rate of 2.7%; Cconsumer spending slowed in April to a 0.2% annual gain; eurozone inflation climbs to 2.6%; Saudi monarchy to sell $12 billion in shares of oil giant Aramco.

The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge holds steady

Earlier this week, we took a look at the economies of Gaza and the West Bank before and during the current conflict. On today’s show, we’ll examine how Israel’s economy was doing before Oct. 7. (To hear how Israel’s economy has been altered by war, check out this episode.) Plus, inflation is stuck at a rate higher than the Federal Reserve would like to see.

How political fundraisers increase contributions without going over the legal limit

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