Jim Ostroff
Associate Editor, The Kiplinger Letter
Federal Infrastructure Spending on Hold
Politics
Federal Infrastructure Spending on Hold
A huge highway bill will be parked for now as Tea Partiers debate whether the federal government should get out of the building business.
November 24, 2010
Driverless, Folding Cars Are in the Works
Buying & Leasing a Car
Driverless, Folding Cars Are in the Works
With autos that drive themselves, baby boomers may be able to keep their wheels longer.
October 25, 2010
Postal Service Faces Major Changes
Business Costs & Regulation
Postal Service Faces Major Changes
In the works: Fewer post offices. Five-day deliveries in some areas. An OK to mail booze. And, yes, more rate hikes.
October 18, 2010
China Edges into U.S. Auto Market
Economic Forecasts
China Edges into U.S. Auto Market
For now, China will focus on investment to get a share of American car profits. But you will have the chance to buy a Chinese car, soon.
October 14, 2010
Bargains Aplenty for Ocean Shippers
Business Costs & Regulation
Bargains Aplenty for Ocean Shippers
Underutilized container-cargo ships are begging for business.
October 7, 2010
No Big Postal Rate Hike -- for Now
Business Costs & Regulation
No Big Postal Rate Hike -- for Now
Dramatic changes -- like whether to drop Saturday delivery -- are now in Congress' hands.
September 30, 2010
Generation Y Giving Cars a Pass
Buying & Leasing a Car
Generation Y Giving Cars a Pass
The generation gap is a growing, long-term headache for automakers.
September 14, 2010
China Auto Parts Firms Buying U.S. Counterparts
Buying & Leasing a Car
China Auto Parts Firms Buying U.S. Counterparts
China is tapping into faltering firms for market access -- and saving jobs in the process.
September 8, 2010
Government to Mandate 60 MPG
Business Costs & Regulation
Government to Mandate 60 MPG
Even today's fuel sippers will seem thirsty when the Obama administration is done with its overhaul of mileage rules.
September 3, 2010
Box Shortage Causing Ocean Shipping Woes to Linger
Economic Forecasts
Box Shortage Causing Ocean Shipping Woes to Linger
A dearth of ocean cargo containers is stymieing efforts to ramp up exports and imports.
August 11, 2010
New Car Sales Are Revving Up
Buying & Leasing a Car
New Car Sales Are Revving Up
New models plus incentives have more Americans sporting new wheels.
August 9, 2010
Automakers Rev Up Sales Incentives
Buying & Leasing a Car
Automakers Rev Up Sales Incentives
Rebates and 0% financing are in the offing -- but they probably won’t last long.
July 30, 2010
More Oil from Canada, Less from Venezuela
business
More Oil from Canada, Less from Venezuela
Within five years, a new pipeline will make U.S. oil supplies more reliable.
July 28, 2010
Solar Roofing Grabs the Light
business
Solar Roofing Grabs the Light
As consumers increasingly demand conservation minded building materials, companies are rolling out new products.
July 15, 2010
A New Global Focus: Oil Spill Prevention
Business Costs & Regulation
A New Global Focus: Oil Spill Prevention
Oil-producing countries will tighten their rules -- but not to the point of restricting output.
July 9, 2010
Alt-Energy Is in for a Boost
Business Costs & Regulation
Alt-Energy Is in for a Boost
Changes to the grid to reduce power outages will help wind, solar, tidal and geothermal energy projects reach customers.
July 7, 2010
On Tap: Black Boxes for All Passenger Vehicles
Buying & Leasing a Car
On Tap: Black Boxes for All Passenger Vehicles
Your driving habits soon will be an open book to insurers and police in the aftermath of an accident or car malfunction.
July 1, 2010
Ford Looks to Boost Sales Abroad
Buying & Leasing a Car
Ford Looks to Boost Sales Abroad
China and India are two large and growing markets on the automaker’s radar screen.
June 25, 2010
Lighter Vehicles Spell Better Gas Mileage
Economic Forecasts
Lighter Vehicles Spell Better Gas Mileage
Steel, aluminum and composite makers are vying to get more of their materials into cars and trucks.
June 22, 2010
Key Industrial Resources Face a Tepid Recovery
Economic Forecasts
Key Industrial Resources Face a Tepid Recovery
Good old supply and demand are back in control of the prices of industrial metals, cement and lumber.
June 18, 2010
Auto Sales Digging Out of a Deep Hole
Buying & Leasing a Car
Auto Sales Digging Out of a Deep Hole
Full recovery for the carmaking industry is still far down the road.
June 17, 2010
Electric Bills to Surge in Coal Burning Areas
Business Costs & Regulation
Electric Bills to Surge in Coal Burning Areas
Green power requirements will require utilities to invest big -- and raise rates.
June 11, 2010
States Vying for Alternative-Energy Firms
business
States Vying for Alternative-Energy Firms
Take a look at which states are landing key solar and other high-tech firms.
June 9, 2010
Obama Drilling Ban Mostly for Show
Politics
Obama Drilling Ban Mostly for Show
The president has little leeway as he struggles with the oil spill and the public backlash.
May 27, 2010
Highway Bill to Spur Land Use Changes
Economic Forecasts
Highway Bill to Spur Land Use Changes
Uncle Sam’s new focus: More mixed-use developments, fewer long commutes.
May 27, 2010
Postal Rates Headed Higher -- Again
Business Costs & Regulation
Postal Rates Headed Higher -- Again
With payrolls in jeopardy, a desperate Postal Service seeks more revenue.
May 25, 2010
Solar Power to the People
Economic Forecasts
Solar Power to the People
Worries about safety and neighborhood aesthetics will spawn new rules but won’t stop solar installations.
May 20, 2010