US Policy Pulse

Geopolitical shock hits pumps: National gas averages $4.02-$4.08/gal—first over $4 since 2022—up 35-36% since late Feb war start; Florida peaks at...

High energy costs are squeezing the economy like an implicit tax, with WTI at $111.54 and Brent at $109.24.

Key pressures:

• Iran's potential Hormuz...

Core impacts of the US 21% federal corporate tax rate (down from 35% post-2017 TCJA):

• Revenue hit: Just 1.3% of GDP in 2022 (historical low),...

• White House slashes nondefense spending by $73B (10%), prioritizing veterans, seniors, and law enforcement.
• Congress shifts goalposts to 3% GDP...

• Bond traders bet Fed holds rates for the coming year, stabilizing Treasuries ahead of Trump’s Iran deadline.
• Strong US labor data wiped out easing wagers via interest-rate swaps.
• Yields steady: 2-year at 3.86%, 10-year at 4.34%; dollar slides.

US inflation trend intensifies despite economic resilience, stoking unease:

• Data signals: ISM Prices Paid surged to 78.3—highest since 2022; gas...

Escalating tensions via Strait of Hormuz closure are hammering US economy on multiple fronts:

• Shipping chaos: Small businesses face doubled...

Key ruling in Leandro case:

• 4-3 split (GOP majority) blocks court-ordered $678M transfer for schools without legislative approval.
• Background:...

Contrasting views on federal finances reveal growing risks:

• Treasury's 2025 FR shows net operating cost at -$2.1T, net position worsening to...

Watch these for inflation & growth trends:

• March CPI (Apr 10): +0.9% MoM exp., 3.4% YoY; core +0.3% MoM, 2.7% YoY
• Feb Core PCE (Apr 9): +0.4% MoM,...

Federal encroachment accelerating: Trump’s March 31 EO mandates DHS/USPS citizenship checks for mail-in ballots in federal races, requiring states to...

Escalating federal-state tensions under Trump redefine federalism:

• Federal actions: Immigration agent surges, National Guard seizures, billions...

Regulatory win for AV tech: NHTSA ended its probe into Tesla's actually smart summon feature on 2.59M vehicles, linked only to low-speed incidents...

Wyoming's new 6-week abortion ban is driving women of childbearing age out of state, raising alarms over permanent workforce exodus.

• Healthcare...

• Fiscal discipline hits earmarks: House slashes from ~400 to 10 in $2.5B capital budget, prioritizing ARPA cleanup and maintenance amid surplus...

Key outcomes from Georgia's legislative wrap-up:

• Session ended late Thursday night (after 1 a.m. Friday) with "sine die" cheers, after 4,700+ bills...

Trump's budget proposes a 42% defense hike to $1.5 trillion (+$445B), funded partly by $73B non-defense cuts (10% reduction) to education, housing,...

Trump-era wealth boom hits records, fueling pre-2026 midterm backlash on inequality.

• CA ballot push: 5% tax on ~200 billionaires to raise $100B for...

• High compliance costs: Five states face at least $45.6M in contractor fees (Deloitte, Accenture, Optum) for eligibility system updates.
• Federal...

• Spending growth slowed permanently thanks to tech advances making treatments cheaper and more effective
• 2024: Over $5T, or 18% of GDP—up slightly...