Feb 24th, 2005 · A proposal that offers a long-term fix for Social Security involves reducing the annual cost-of-living adjustments that compensate retirees for inflation. The plan raises the cap on income subject to Social Security payroll taxes, and adds private accounts as ways to fill the funding gaps in the Social Security program.
Feb 22nd, 2005 · In this first installment of a three-part series on Social Security, NPR's John Ydstie examines the system's shortfalls and possible ways to extend its long-term solvency. Among the remedies: raising the retirement age; raising the tax that workers and employers pay into the system; and mandating that all federal and state workers take part in the national retirement program.
Feb 11th, 2005 · The Wall Street Journal's David Wessel talks about President Bush's latest proposals on overhauling Social Security.
Feb 11th, 2005 · Commentator Ev Ehrlich says Democrats would be making a mistake if they respond to President Bush's proposals by simply defending the current Social Security system. Ehrlich served as undersecretary of Commerce in the Clinton administration.
Feb 8th, 2005 · Budget expert Stan Collender talks about reaction to President Bush's 2006 budget. Collender says senior Republicans in Congress insist they won't go along with the proposals in the new spending plan.
Feb 8th, 2005 · NASA announces it will probably cancel plans to send a robot to fix the Hubble Space Telescope. The president's proposed budget for the agency did not contain funding for the mission. An alternative proposal would send humans to repair the aging Hubble.
Feb 7th, 2005 · Subsidies for U.S. farmers and ranchers are among the targets in President Bush's plan to slash spending in his 2006 budget proposal. The administration has proposed some $587 million in cuts to a variety of farm programs.
Feb 3rd, 2005 · The American Association of Retired Persons is lobbying against President Bush's proposal to allow people to put a portion of their Social Security savings into private accounts. The powerful senior citizens group has found an improbable ally in their fight -- Rock the Vote, the youth get-out-the-vote organization promoted by MTV.