House Democrats ask for unanimous consent on standalone bill to increase $600 direct payments in a recently approved stimulus bill to $2,000
President Donald Trump unexpectedly sent the legislation back to Congress with a demand for higher direct payments after denouncing several components of the bill and appropriations packaged with it
Vote seeks to put pressure on Republicans to grant Trump’s request
Household spending in the United States falls for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic
Spending has generally increased even as household income has trended downward following an infusion of cash from the CARES Act
Data reflects diminished buying power as well as fewer opportunities for spending as COVID-19 prompts business restrictions in many parts of the country
A research and policy institute based at Harvard University finds that Connecticut has the sixth greatest rate of small business closures and 11th highest loss of small business revenues since January
The figures could reflect permanent or temporary closures
Job postings have increased in Connecticut, but unemployment remains elevated
Psychologists test the idea that “nice guys finish last” by measuring success of those with dark personality traits against those with light personality traits
Dark traits associated with advantages in some areas, but poorer performance in cooperative tasks
Report notes that many people have a mix of dark and light traits
