As city, county and state government leaders look for ways to close their budget shortfalls, they're hoping that some help will come soon from Washington.U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky says he expects the Obama adminstration to propose a large economic stimulus package, but he can't speak to reports that there will be a bill in place for the new president to sign soon after he takes office."We go back in January the sixth to swear in new members and go into session, and they haven't produced a plan yet," McConnell said. "When they do produce it, I'll let you know how I feel about it."Meanwhile, the lame duck session of Congress resumes this week, when lawmakers will debate a possible bailout for the nation's domestic automakers.McConnell said Friday he hadn't decided which approach he'll support.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.