March 31

“What you need to know to navigate today’s economic debate.”

Obama Signs Overhaul of Student Loan Program (NYT)
President Obama signed legislation on Tuesday to expand college access for millions of young Americans by revamping the federal student loan program in what he called “one of the most significant investments in higher education since the G.I. Bill.”

Greece Plans to Sell Global Dollar Bond by Early May (Bloomberg)
Greece plans to sell a global bond in dollars in the next two months to help raise 11.6 billion euros ($15.6 billion) in funding requirements by the end of May after investors lost money on its most recent sale.

Obama to Open Offshore Areas to Oil Drilling for First Time (NYT)
The Obama administration is proposing to open vast expanses of water along the Atlantic coastline, the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the north coast of Alaska to oil and natural gas drilling, much of it for the first time.

Home Prices Inch Up, But Analysts Fear Rebound is Fading (WaPo)
Home prices rose modestly in January, according to a closely watched index released Tuesday, but some housing industry analysts remain concerned about the sustainability of the housing sector rebound.

Bonds Cap Epic Comeback (WSJ)
Investors flooded risky companies with money in March even as the government prepares to shut down a key engine driving one of the greatest corporate-bond rallies in history.

Think Tank: FinReg Edition (WaPo)
Ezra Klein gives a wrap-up of think tanks and individuals committed to financial regulation, with the Roosevelt Institute leading the way, underscored by Fellow Mike Konczal, consumer protection advocate Elizabeth Warren, and head of the Financial Reform Initiative at the Roosevelt Institute–Rob Johnson.

The Wall St. Lobby’s Flip-flop (MotherJones)
Andy Kroll reacts to Elizabeth Warren’s op-ed in Politico yesterday, keeping an eye on Wall St. lobbying powers and what they mean for consumer protection.

The Obscenity of War (TruthDig)
Amy Goodman reports on the conflict in Afghanistan as President Obama returns from his first trip there as Commander-in-Chief.