>> OUR NEXT GUEST IS HERE TO WEIGH IN ON THE BUSINESS CLIMATE IN US CITIES, AFFORDABILITY AND MUCH MORE. LET'S BRING IN DALLAS MAYOR ERIC JOHNSON, CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLICAN MAYORS ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS CONVENING HERE IN NEW YORK CITY. MR.MAYOR, WELCOME. GOOD MORNING TO YOU. MORNING.DALLAS HAS A LOT OF GOLDMAN SACHS EMPLOYEES. IT'S GOT AN EXCHANGE LAUNCHING. I MEAN, WHAT'S BEEN SORT OF THE DRIVING FORCE THERE IN TERMS OF ATTRACTING BUSINESSES. >> WELL, I THINK THIS IS IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME IN ...

Today is the deadline to register for the Affordable Care Act's open enrollment. It also marks the last week for Congress to get anything done on the healthcare front before the subsidies expire. Joining us right now to talk about this and so much more, Nebraska Republican Senator Pete Rickettts.Good morning to you. >> Morning. Thanks very much for having me on.>> So, we've been talking about Obamacare. We've been talking about healthcare. We've been talking about what is going to actually happen in Washing ...

Core Insights - The primary concern for Americans impacting their voting decisions in the upcoming midterm elections is the affordability of everyday items such as food and fuel [1] - A significant portion of the population, approximately half, lives paycheck to paycheck, indicating a widespread sense of economic insecurity [3] - The debate surrounding healthcare affordability is crucial, with a warning that failure to address this issue could lead to political repercussions for both parties [5] Economic Context - One-third of Americans are unable to afford an unexpected healthcare cost of $5,000, highlighting the severity of financial strain [4] - The perception of affordability is more relevant to the average American than technical economic terms like inflation, which are not commonly used in everyday discussions [2][6] - The rising costs of essential items, including healthcare, food, and fuel, are perceived as a crisis rather than a mere concern [4][7] Political Implications - There is a growing distrust among the public towards government solutions for healthcare, with a preference for alternatives outside of traditional political frameworks [11][12] - The messaging from political parties needs to shift towards acknowledging public concerns and providing tangible solutions rather than engaging in blame politics [16] - The current political landscape suggests that Democrats may narrowly retain control of the House, but failure to effectively address healthcare could jeopardize their position in the Senate [17][19]

Core Insights - President Trump's promise of significant tax refunds may not materialize for many Americans, particularly those without children, leading to potential political repercussions for congressional Republicans ahead of midterm elections [1][2] Taxpayer Impact - A typical W-2 worker without children will see minimal year-over-year changes, with slightly over half of taxpayers falling into this category [1] - Wealthy taxpayers in high-tax states, workers receiving tips or overtime, and seniors are expected to benefit the most, while the majority will experience only modest increases in refunds [4][5] Economic Context - Consumer sentiment is at a near-record low, with personal financial views the worst since 2009, compounded by slow wage growth and dim job prospects due to a labor market slowdown [3] Tax Refund Projections - The average tax refund is projected to be nearly $1,000 higher than previous years, with the average refund around $3,000 [6] - The White House claims refunds could be about one-third larger than usual, but actual savings from the higher standard deduction will vary, generally resulting in increases of less than $100 to a few hundred dollars [7]

London flats are becoming more affordable, while reforms are being mulled for UK mortgage rules -- get briefed ahead of your morning calls with The London Rush https://t.co/F77FD8Bcuu ...

For the typical London worker, apartment prices are now below nine times their annual earnings, the most affordable level in 12 years, according to Bloomberg’s analysis of Land Registry and official earnings data https://t.co/TEE2mWnrd1 ...

Key Advantages of Greece - Greece offers an attractive combination of affordability, healthcare access, welcoming culture, and a healthy lifestyle [1]

Locations in Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand may appeal for their affordability, vibrant cultures, beautiful settings, and growing expat communities. https://t.co/LBsi0TQR1I ...

Climate action has become less urgent now that affordability is top of mind. The good news is, emissions are likely to decline anyway. https://t.co/URXnno2sGY ...

Time is running out for Congress to nail down a plan on health care for more than 20 million Americans enrolled in Obamacare. House Republicans announcing their plan last night to resolve the crisis, but it faces stiff opposition over not including an ACA tax credit extension. President Trump shared his thoughts as well yesterday, which only added to the confusion and uncertainty.What's your message to those 24 million Americans who will see their insurance premiums go up. >> Don't make it sound so bad beca ...