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Focuses on the legislative bill that would prohibit the use of public funds to subsidize or provide incentives for relocation of retail businesses in California. Costco Wholesale Corp.'s actions which prompted the bill's introduction; Concerns on the effects of the bidding wars between cities to win businesses; Key provisions of the bill.

The article reports that the U.S. Congress House and Senate have passed the S. 25 legislation which has extended the cuts to subsidy payments for Build America Bonds (BABs) by an additional year as of February 2014. Topics discussed include reduction of cost of living increases for younger military retirees, 7.2 percent cut in subsidy payments for direct-pay bonds in 2014 and the proposal of the direct pay bonds called America Fast Forward bonds by U.S. President Barack Obama.

The article offers information on the planning of the Housing and Finance Association of Idaho for pricing the 82 million dollar in revenue vehicle bonds due to the possibility of the unsustainable subsidies provided by the Highway Trust Fund in Idaho. Topics include concern of Fitch Ratings Ltd. about the affect of U.S. transportation on the revenue bonds, subsidizing of the transportation fund from the federal general fund, and allocation on revenues from taxes on natural gas in the U.S.

The article offers information on various U.S. legislation related to bond markets. It mentions the House of Representative (HR) 992 called Building American Jobs Act, a bill which aims to extend Build America Bonds (BAB). It states that the HR 344: The Fiscal Responsibility Effective Enforcement (FREE) Act which seeks to limit the power of Federal Reserve to buy and sell municipalities bonds. It says that HR 747: Build America Bonds seeks extension of BAB with federal subsidy.

The article reports that the U.S. Senate has gathered on March 13, 2012 to discuss amendments for a highway and transit funding bill. It notes that the construction industry has approved of the legislation which will provide a two-year funding of $109 billion for the sector. It mentions that the bill will increase federal subsidies of a loan program of the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act.

The article discusses the bankruptcy of Spanish airline Spanair and financial problems at the Hungarian Malev airline, in light of European Commission investigations into the state funding of struggling airlines that many predicts will tighten rules allowing national airline subsidies. Also noted are potential sales of stakes in state-run airlines to private investors by countries attempting to reduce their national debts.

The editorial questions whether community banks should receive subsidies for debit-card operations that are uncompetitive. The U.S. Dodd-Frank Act's Durbin amendment for financial reform exempt small institutions from limits on interchange fees relating to debit card transaction. The irony in community bankers' complaining about subsidies for banks that are "too big to fail" is noted.

The article reports that the U.S. Office of Management & Budget is working on final rules for state residents to apply, enroll and participate in state health subsidy programs under the healthcare reform provisions with the Department of Health & Human Services. The law will require many states to change eligibility and enrollment systems so that the enhanced Federal financial participation (FFP) is available until December 31, 2015.

The article reports on the bill introduced by Representative Gerald Connolly that aims to reinstate the Build America Bond program for two years at federal subsidy payment rate of 32% for 2011.

The article focuses on the impact of the subsidy and tax credit extensions approved bill on the U.S. ethanol and biodiesel markets. Bob Dinneen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), said it will allow the country's ethanol industry to grow and survive. Manning Feraci, vice president of federal affairs for the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), said this will help kick-start the domestic biodiesel industry, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and create thousands of jobs.

The article reports on the extension of COBRA premium subsidy for laid off workers under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) in the U.S. It notes the availability of the subsidy for the involuntary termination of employees on or prior to February 28, 2010. It details the coverage of the new legislation including the 65% preservation of the subsidy's amount, a 9-15 months period on receiving the subsidy and a refund for any overpaid premiums at certain circumstances.

The article reports on the difficulties of the German film industry concerning the federal film subsidy program in Germany. It notes that the payment of the film industry as a levy to German Federal Film Board (FFA) is unconstitutional because home entertainment distributions and theatrical exhibitions lawfully needed to pay, while it is voluntary for television broadcasters. Moreover, a warning was issued by the Alliance of German Producers that a solution for the conflict must be found at once.

Information about the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development High Level Multistakeholder Meeting on Cotton in Geneva, Switzerland is presented. According to World Trade Organization director Pascal Lamy, the meeting is a key to promote development of cotton industry in developing countries. It notes that developing cotton producing nations were demanding access to industrialize nations through the elimination of cotton subsidies in the U.S. and Europe.

This article reports that SLM Corp., better known as Sallie Mae, tried to dispel renewed speculation that an investor group's deal to buy the company for $25 billion might fall through. In a press release, the student loan company reiterated that pending legislation to cut subsidies to student lenders will not adverse effect the deal and that the buyers would back out of the deal.

The author reports on legislation that would cut student lending subsidies to both for profit and non-profit lenders, which is expected to be passed by both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, which is expected to be signed by U.S. President George W. Bush, includes a loan program for students' parents.

The article discusses U.S. legislative bills related to banking. The U.S House Financial Services Committee has passed bill HR 2761 which extends an insurance program for terrorism risk. U.S. House and Senate leaders hope to consolidate legislative bills designed to cut subsidies of lenders on student loans. The U.S. House approved an amendment to eliminate a provision to farm legislation that would increase lending authority of the Farm Credit System.

The article reports that the Financial Services Committee of the U.S. House has passed a bill to revamp the National Flood Insurance Program. The major change would phase out insurance subsidies to the owners of secondary and vacation homes. The program's borrowing authority would also be increased.

The article announces that the U.S. Senate Banking Committee will hold a hearing on student lending in the private sector. Of particular interest are the loans that students must borrow when they are not eligible for low interest school loans from the federal government. The hearings are part of an investigation that will show what effect cutting lender subsidies will have. Also of importance is the relationship between lending institutions and schools.

The article discusses how the United States House of Representatives is expected to vote on a bill that would cut interest rates on certain student loans in half by slashing private lenders' subsidies. Under the bill, lenders' subsidies would be reduced by more than $6 billion to offset the interest rate reduction over five years. The banking industry opposes the bill, arguing it would drive more banks out of the business and ultimately raise costs for students.

The article reports on the 40 million pounds annual subsidy for meat inspections chargers in Great Britain. The British Meat Processors Association admitted that abattoirs incurred losses as a result for substantial increased veterinary charges. However, the Forum for Private Business explained that the real threat comes from the plans to recover the full cost of meat hygiene controls and handling.

Reports on the failure of China to submit an annual notification of its subsidy policies to the World Trade Organization. Number of years that the Chinese government is obliged to submit the notification; Plan of the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush to continue to put pressure on the Chinese government to comply with its subsidy-related obligations.

This article reports that the U.S. House has passed a budget-reduction package that would eliminate a cotton subsidy program and repeal a trade law that compensates domestic firms hurt by undervalued imports--two measures found to be illegal by the World Trade Organization. The leadership was forced to pull the legislation from a floor vote Republican lawmakers refused to line up with party leaders on sensitive cuts to programs such as Medicare, food stamps and student loans. Textile executives oppose the elimination of the compensation provided by the Byrd Amendment law for goods dumped on the U.S. at prices below market value.

The article reports on the decision of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee to repeal a trade subsidy program. It wants to repeal a law deemed illegal by the World Trade Organization (WTO) because it compensates U.S. companies hurt by undervalued imports dumped in the domestic market. The move to repeal is expected to meet opposition in Congress. Shortly after the WTO found the subsidies to be illegal, 70 senators sent a letter to President Bush opposing the ruling and asking that the issue be addressed as part of the Doha Round of global trade talks. Under the Byrd Amendment, the government compensates U.S. companies that are hurt when foreign firms sell goods in the U.S. market at below cost or less than their price in the home country, a practice known as dumping.

The article reports that opponents of the proposed West Side stadium in Manhattan, New York City are proposing a law that would prevent the administration of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg from securitizing payments in lieu of taxes to subsidize US$300 million of the US$1.4 billion project.

Discusses the elimination of the 7(a) credit subsidy, appropriated for the U.S. Small Business Administration, which was replaced by higher fees on lenders and borrowers. Details of the appropriations bill signed by U.S. President George W. Bush that replaced the credit subsidy; How the change is a major victory for the SBA and its administrator, Hector V. Barreto, who had been pushing to remove the credit subsidy since February 2004.

Reports on the approval of the corporate tax bill in the Congress that will repeal the U.S. tax law granting subsidies to U.S. companies with operations abroad or Foreign Sales Corporations (FSC). Reason for repealing the FSC subsidies; Effect of the tax package on the economic recovery of the U.S.; Views of the budget watchdogs and advocacy groups on the bill.