I sometimes wonder how recent Supreme Court decisions that are seemingly non economic related affect local economies. Case in point. I live in South Louisiana where the Kennedy v Louisiana case got plenty of media air-play. In case you live in a cave, the case revolved around whether or not the execution of a child [...]

When the economy is in a slump, for the vast majority of the population, discretionary income is often cut, leaving people to spend for necessities rather than luxuries. Save an elite few, art is generally considered a luxury or perhaps an investment rather than a daily need. But for those who make their living [...]

We’ve all heard the old saw, when you’re given lemons, make lemonade. The travel industry is no doubt attempting to do just that, given the current economic woes and high gas prices. The Smith Travel Research Global is reporting hotel occupancy rates are down 3.9% to 66.7% for the first half of 2008 in the [...]

Since a recent blog touched on the gold standard (plus an amusing crack about it being dropped 75 years ago), I thought it would be interesting to look back at history and how the gold standard has evolved legally over the years and possible current effects. History has not only altered the gold standard itself [...]

When many people think of the arts and the economy, they would expect a pretty fairly coordinated response between a strong economy and strength in arts programs and, conversely, a struggling economy and weakened arts. It makes sense since funding for the arts is often the first to go in tight economic times, the wallet [...]

Europe has long been a favored travel destination for American travelers. In spite of the dollar’s downward spiral, Americans continue to flock to Italy, the UK, Germany and a few other favorites. As the dollar passes the $1.56 mark against the euro (remember the days when they were essentially equal?), travel has been only slightly [...]

After this term’s recent Supreme Court case ruling slashing the punitive damages award that Exxon had been penalized in the disastrous Valdez spill, tort and maritime lawmakers, corporate lawyers, and CEO’s around the world are paying attention. What started as a $500 billion award in punitive damages (compared to $287 million in compensatory damages) was [...]

The Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 – or Bill HR 3221 – is Congress’ latest attempt to stymie the downward spiral of the current economy. The bill is lurching along, having passed the Senate as of July 10 but still awaiting possible changes or even a veto by the president. The foreclosure mess is a [...]

It’s undisputed that the nonprofit arts industry has a large fiscal impact on the nation’s economy. According to Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the arts in America, the arts and culture industry generates over $166 billion in “economic activity.” This activity includes both spending by arts organizations and event-related spending [...]

Exploding gas prices, a housing burst and the shaky state of the stock market have all combined to create a tenuous economy that has already had a direct impact on travelers and vacationers in the U.S. In addition to the weak dollar with respect to the euro, the cost of flying across the pond seems [...]