Stocks Rattled Ahead of Big Options Test
Get a jump start on the US trading day with Matt Miller, Katie Greifeld and Sonali Basak on "Bloomberg Open Interest." SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to team up with TSMC on a trillion-dollar industrial complex in Arizona to build robots and AI. President Trump signals he would give diplomacy a chance before deciding whether to strike Iran. And Bezel Co-Founder & CEO Quaid Walker joins Bloomberg Open Interest to talk about the luxury watch market. (Source: Bloomberg)
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Associated Press
8 minutes ago
- Associated Press
GOP's food stamp plan is found to violate Senate rules. It's the latest setback for Trump's big bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — In another blow to the Republicans' tax and spending cut bill, the Senate parliamentarian has advised that a proposal to shift some food stamps costs from the federal government to states — a centerpiece of GOP savings efforts — would violate the chamber's rules. While the parliamentarian's rulings are advisory, they are rarely, if ever, ignored. The Republican leadership was scrambling on Saturday, days before voting is expected to begin on President Donald Trump's package that he wants to be passed into law by the Fourth of July. The loss is expected to be costly to Republicans. They have been counting on some tens of billions of potential savings from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, to help offset the costs of the $4.5 trillion tax breaks plan. The parliamentarian let stand for now a provision that would impose new work requirements for older Americans, up to age 65, to receive food stamp aid. 'We will keep fighting to protect families in need,' said Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, which handles the SNAP program. 'The Parliamentarian has made clear that Senate Republicans cannot use their partisan budget to shift major nutrition assistance costs to the states that would have inevitably led to major cuts,' she said. The parliamentarian's ruling is the latest in a series of setbacks as staff works through the weekend, often toward midnight, to assess the 1,000-page proposal. It all points to serious trouble ahead for the bill, which was approved by the House on a party-line vote last month over unified opposition from Democrats and is now undergoing revisions in the Senate. At its core, the goal of the multitrillion-dollar package is to extend tax cuts from Trump's first term that would otherwise expire if Congress fails to act. It also adds new ones, including no taxes on tips and or overtime pay. To help offset the costs of lost tax revenue, the Republicans are proposing cutbacks to federal Medicaid, health care and food programs — some $1 trillion. Additionally, the package boosts national security spending by about $350 billion, including to pay for Trump's mass deportations, which are running into protests nationwide. Trump has implored Republicans, who have the majority in Congress, to deliver on his top domestic priority, but the details of the package, with its hodge-podge of priorities, is drawing deeper scrutiny. All told, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the package, as approved by the House, would add at least $2.4 trillion to the nation's red ink over the decade and leave 10.9 million more people without health care coverage. Additionally, it would reduce or eliminate food stamps for more than 3 million people. The parliamentarian's office is tasked with scrutinizing the bill to ensure it complies with the so-called Byrd Rule, which is named after the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd, and bars many policy matters in the budget reconciliation process now being used. Late Friday, the parliamentarian issued its latest findings. It determined that Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee's proposal to have the states pick up more of the tab for covering food stamps — what Republicans call a new cost-sharing arrangement — would be in violation of the Byrd Rule. Many lawmakers said the states would not be able to absorb the new requirement on food aid, which has long been provided by the federal government. They warned many would lose access to SNAP benefits used by more than 40 million people. Initially, the CBO had estimated about $128 billion in savings under the House's proposal to shift SNAP food aid costs to the states. Cost estimates for the Senate's version, which made changes to the House approach, have not yet been made publicly available. The parliamentarian's office rulings leave GOP leaders with several options. They can revise the proposals to try to comply with Senate rules or strip them from the package altogether. They can also risk a challenge during floor voting, which would require the 60-vote threshold to overcome. That would be unlikely in the split chamber with Democrats opposing the overall package. The parliamentarian's latest advice also said the committee's provision to make certain immigrants ineligible for food stamps would violate the rule. It found several provisions from the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which is led by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to be in violation. They include one to provide $250 million to Coast Guard stations damaged by fire in 2025, namely one on South Padre Island in Texas. Still to come are some of the most important rulings from the parliamentarian. One will assess the GOP's approach that relies on 'current policy' rather than 'current law' as the baseline for determining whether the bill will add to the nation's deficits. Already, the parliamentarian delivered a serious setback Thursday, finding that the GOP plan to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was a core proposal coming from the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, would be in violation of the Byrd Rule. The parliamentarian has also advised of violations over provisions from the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee that would rollback Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards on certain vehicles and from the Senate Armed Services Committee to require the defense secretary to provide a plan on how the Pentagon intends to spend the tens of billions of new funds. The new work requirements in the package would require many of those receiving SNAP or Medicaid benefits to work 80 hours a month or engage in other community or educational services.
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
A First-Time Buyer Was Shocked When Their Escrow Shot Up. Turns Out, A Fixed Rate Doesn't Protect You From Tax And Insurance Hikes
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. When a Reddit user and their husband bought a home in 2021, they felt confident with their $1,250 monthly mortgage payment. It was a fixed-rate loan, and they had budgeted carefully. But that confidence quickly turned to confusion when their payment jumped to $1,600. At first, the couple thought their private mortgage insurance had increased. 'We've been in contact with our lender and they said the only way to get off the PMI is to get a home appraisal above $331K,' the person wrote in the r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer subreddit recently. So, her husband paid $500 for an appraisal that did meet the target value. But the lender said it was invalid because the appraiser wasn't on their approved list. They were told they'd need to pay $650 for another appraisal through the lender's channels. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Peter Thiel turned $1,700 into $5 billion—now accredited investors are eyeing this software company with similar breakout potential. Learn how you can Redditors were quick to point out what was really going on. 'Your PMI does not go up. Only your escrow for insurance and taxes can go up,' one top commenter said. Another added, 'Interagency appraisal guidelines prohibit financial institutions from using appraisals ordered directly by the borrower.' The original poster later confirmed what many had suspected: 'I asked our mortgage lender to send our last few escrow reports and it was in fact our hazard insurance causing the increase, not our PMI like we originally thought.' The takeaway was this: even with a fixed interest rate, escrow payments can shift drastically because of tax reassessments and insurance hikes. 'Be prepared for your escrow—property taxes and insurance—to go up even if you got a 'fixed rate' mortgage,' the OP warned. Trending: , which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with just a $100 minimum. Many commenters shared similar stories. One person said their mortgage payment rose by $800 due to an insurance lapse and property tax increase. Others explained how taxes often spike after a property changes hands, since previous owners may have had exemptions or lower assessments. 'My homeowners insurance went from $1,400 to $2,800 over a three-year span,' one person said. 'I shopped and found insurance with the same coverage for $1,300 again, only to be told they wouldn't cover the house due to them feeling the roof was old. I was forced to spend $12,000 for a new roof in 30 days.'The good news is that there are options. Homeowners can shop around for better insurance rates, dispute property tax assessments, and ask lenders for a broker price opinion instead of a full appraisal to remove PMI. 'I requested the PMI to be removed and was given two options,' one person explained. 'I went with the BPO and it was only $140. Ten days later, my PMI was removed.' Others suggested reviewing escrow statements annually and proactively paying shortages to avoid ballooning payments. 'If you pay the $1200 shortfall, you will owe $100 more a month. If you don't pay it off all at once, you will owe $200 more a month because you're paying the shortfall plus the extra $100 monthly,' one commenter warned. As for the original poster, she ended the thread with a lesson for others: 'As much as some people like to act like home buying and everything involved is intuitive and common sense, it's really not. So I hope you all can learn from our boo boo.' Read Next: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to .This article A First-Time Buyer Was Shocked When Their Escrow Shot Up. Turns Out, A Fixed Rate Doesn't Protect You From Tax And Insurance Hikes originally appeared on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The Best Small Cities To Enjoy Amazing Quality of Life
Small cities can often offer all that a big city does—including culture, diversity, activities, shops, and housing choices—but without the higher price tags and quality of life issues such as crime and gridlock traffic that can plague a bigger city. 'Small cities can offer families a slower pace of life and more family-friendly amenities,' says Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at 'Many of these towns are near big cities, which can offer ample job opportunities without giving up access to small-town living.' But which one might be right for you and your family to settle down in? The choices can be mind-boggling. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked 859 U.S. cities with populations below 100,000 to come up with a list of the 15 best small cities in the country. The analysis evaluated data for desirability, quality of life, job market, and value, taking into account crime rates, cost of living, net migration, climate, quality of education, cost of housing, and more. Johns Creek, GA, is no stranger to the 'best of' lists. It also recently ranked high on the list of the Top 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live in America compiled by a rankings and reviews site for schools and towns. Local broker Ann Jensen, of Harry Norman Realtors, says that the Fulton County suburb (population 78,937) is cherished for its low crime, strong diversity, proximity to Atlanta (an hour away), small-town feel, plenty of shops, strong jobs market, and abundance of housing choices, from large single-family homes to condos to 55-plus communities. 'You see people of every ethnicity, and everyone gets along just fine,' she tells She also mentions the high-quality hospitals and medical facilities, which have attracted plenty of retirees. Adds Tony Money, a local agent with Re/Max Around Atlanta: 'This is as close to a small-town atmosphere as you'll ever get close to a big city. It's a community.' To the southwest, Texas snags no fewer than four spots in the rankings. 'One of the reasons for the popularity of so many places in Texas is the price for housing,' Jerry O'Reilly of Houston-based Cash Home Buyers Crew tells 'While the cost of living is a bit above the national average, housing prices in these areas average about 20% less than other places with comparable housing.' Median home price: $865,000 With Atlanta less than an hour away, you get closeness to the big city and the high quality of life of the smaller town. Excellent schools (all rated 9 and 10 by top medical facilities, low crime (it ranks No. 1 for the safest city in America), and a robust job market (Johns Creek Technology Park houses many tech companies) make Johns Creek one of the most coveted suburbs in the country. Median home price: $623,340 Home to some of the country's best colleges, including North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Duke University, and Wake Forest University, Apex is in the top 10% for college-readiness and desirability for its low crime rates, according to the rankings. It also comes with a charming, historical downtown. Median home price: $557,500 The secret is out on this Austin suburb, which grew by more than 123% from 2010 to 2020, and an additional 47.8% from 2020 to 2024, making it one of the fastest-growing cities on this list, coming in at No. 3 for net migration, according to U.S. News & World Report. A newer community, the area attracts a lot of tech workers. Median home price: $514,900 This quiet Detroit suburb is known for its outdoorsy lifestyle with its 8.5-mile Paint Creek Trail, yet it's just a stone's throw from Rock City. It also ranked in the top 2% for environmental risk for its low chance of extreme weather events. 'It's a great town to live in,' says Detroit house flipper and resident Hunter Schattler. 'The quality of life is amazing. It has beautiful parks and community events. The education is top-tier even for the public schools. The community is strong and hosts a lot of events throughout the year. It's very safe to raise a family and has a very low crime rate.' Median home price: $479,900 With a high median income of $118,274 here, residents can well afford the median list price, which is far below the national median. Home to several auto suppliers, manufacturers, and health care corporations, this Detroit suburb sits in the top 20% of cities for job market strength. Median home price: $1.879M Sitting between Lake Sammamish, Soaring Eagle Regional Park, and Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park, this outdoorsy suburb is nevertheless close to major tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft, contributing to its very high median income of $235,013. Peter Kim, CEO of Odigo Real Estate Club in Seattle, extols the area's low crime rate, top schools, and scenic views. 'One of the biggest reasons why our clients are drawn there is the beautiful topography of the city, which the city works very hard to protect every year from developers,' he tells Median home price: $795,000 Offering a short commute to both Baltimore and Washington, DC, this suburb is No. 11 for overall quality of life thanks to its low crime rate and top-rated health care, according to the rankings. Median home price: $691,750 This city offers commutability to the bustling, job-heavy Dallas-Fort Worth metro, but it also has the scenic shores of Grapevine Lake. Its name comes from the 175 species of wildflowers that bloom inside the 12.5-acre natural 'mound' at its center. Talyn Provo, an agent with Douglas Elliman, grew up in Flower Mound and never left. 'The town's zoning is focused on single-family development with generous-sized private lots,' she tells Median home price: $441,000 The third Texas suburb on the list, Pflugerville offers 56 miles of trail systems, a strong local economy, and a 20-mile distance from downtown Austin. It is also in the top 5% of all cities analyzed for their air quality, according to the rankings. 'Pflugerville is a place for nature lovers,' says O'Reilly. 'The city and surrounding area have tons of parks and walkways, and cheaper housing is a key selling point for this city.' Plenty of new construction means an easier time finding a place to call home and a reasonable $199 per-square-foot median price tag. Median home price: $500,000 Sitting outside of the Twin Cities, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the area's plentiful industries in manufacturing, wholesale trade, and insurance keep its unemployment rate lower than the national average. It also ranks in the top 5% for quality of life, despite its rather harsh winters. Median home price: $379,900 Known for its robust local jobs market, Ankeny comes in at No. 5 on the list's employment ranking. It also came in at No. 9 for housing affordability. The suburb, which is about an hour from Des Moines, has plenty of outdoor activities, including 40 parks and miles of trails. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in this Midwestern state, with D.R. Horton being a major builder offering up several new communities. Median home price: $499,250 Sitting right next to the state capital of Hartford, this suburb is known for its wide-open spaces, charming historical homes, excellent school system, and vibrant cultural scene, including Celebrate! West Hartford, a two-day festival that draws nearly 40,000 visitors with vendors, food, and live music. 'West Hartford has a very diverse and progressive community and is very safe and family-friendly,' local agent Robert L. Levine, of ERA Hart Sargis-Breen Real Estate, tells 'It's just got a little bit of everything, which is why people from all over the New England region like to come to visit our town.' Median home price: $1.595M This Washington, DC, suburb offers the bustle of a city, including being on the Metro, and has the No. 1 job market in the country, according to the rankings. But it also comes with greener spaces and less hubbub than the political town of DC. Median home price: $439,840 With a low unemployment rate of 2.6%, this suburb of Oklahoma City offers two colleges, a strong job market, and overall affordability. Median home price: $550,000 The fourth Texas suburb on the list, Cedar Park attracts techies who might be priced out of Austin. There are nearly 50 colleges nearby, plenty of sports (Austin Spurs, Texas Stars hockey), and high scores for air quality. Futuristic $177 Million Bel-Air Megamansion With Its Own Private Jazz Club Hits All the Right Notes at the Top of the Most Expensive Homes List Lionel Messi Buys in Miami: You Could Be Neighbors With the World's Biggest Sports Star Best Beach Towns in Florida If You Don't Like Crowds
