Tom Patterson, guest commentary

WASHINGTON - Restrained by a worse-than-expected slump in housing, the economy will grow at the slowest pace in five years in 2007, leading economic forecasters say. They predict consumers will get a break on inflation from falling energy prices.

Jay Tibshraeny

WASHINGTON - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress on Wednesday he doesn't believe the economy will slip into a recession and rejected the notion raised by his predecessor, Alan Greenspan, that the economic expansion, which started in late 2001, could be running out of steam.

WASHINGTON - The country didn't get the energetic rebound in economic growth hoped for from the government's tax rebates in the second quarter, and the economy jolted into reverse at the end of 2007, raising new recession fears.

Gov. Janet Napolitano challenged state legislators Monday to keep moving forward in the face of an economic downturn, putting forth proposals to increase health coverage, offer free college tuition, crack down on human smugglers and improve substance abuse treatment for parents who need it.

Mesa economic development officials hope to establish a bridge to Ireland through an international exchange that will bring an Irish trade and investment group to the East Valley this month.

As I have been teaching a college class each semester for almost five years now, from time to time I hear from former students, all of whom have graduated to seek employment in a difficult economy.

May 11, 2005

Hispanics made their economic clout known Tuesday by walking out of jobs and stores and protesting throughout the Valley.

NEW YORK - This week on Wall Street, investors will find out if consumers' worries about housing, jobs and rising prices are affecting their spending - and, in turn, posing a further threat to the economy.

A front-page story Saturday about a Gilbert referendum to stop a proposed retail shopping center almost had us double-checking our birth certificates and driver’s licenses to make sure we still are living in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

NEW YORK - A closely watched measure of future economic activity rose for a second consecutive month in December, pointing to sustained, gradual growth.

September 2, 2004

NEW YORK - Wall Street closed essentially flat Thursday after struggling to resume a modest upward trend while investors juggled upbeat economic data, divergent earnings reports and a pullback in Chinese stocks. The Dow Jones industrials edged higher to a record close for the second straight day.

WASHINGTON - In defense of his war policy, President Bush will highlight U.S. efforts to help Iraqis overhaul their economy and rebuild their shattered infrastructure - an endeavor continually undermined by unrelenting violence.

WASHINGTON - The economy that turned sluggish at the end of last year isn't doing much better now - and may well be doing worse - as war uncertainties and the stagnant job market make consumers and businesses more cautious. Some analysts worry about a slide back into recession.

WASHINGTON - The economy that turned sluggish at the end of last year isn't doing much better now - and may well be doing worse - as war uncertainties and the stagnant job market make consumers and businesses more cautious. Some analysts worry about a slide back into recession.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama claimed early progress Tuesday night in his aggressive campaign to lead the nation out of economic chaos and declared that despite obstacles ahead, "we're moving in the right direction."

Am I Hungry?

NEW YORK - Stocks fell sharply Friday after a series of depressing economic and earnings reports and high oil prices stoked concerns about the health of economy. The major stock indexes fell more than 2 percent, with the Dow Jones industrials at times giving up more than 300 points.

The presidential candidates are avoiding key economic issues that will have the most important long-term effects while arguing over the Bush administration’s policy in Iraq, two speakers said at an Arizona State University forum Tuesday on the upcoming election’s implications for the economy.

PARIS -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy asked world leaders to join a "revolution" in the measurement of economic progress by dropping their obsession with gross domestic product to account for factors such as health-care availability and leisure time.

Gilbert has morphed from being a community full of operating farms into a sprawling suburb where people live while commuting elsewhere for work.