logo
episode-header-image
Sep 16
25m 40s

The cost of GOP cuts to coal royalties

MARKETPLACE
About this episode

Wyoming made billions from coal mining over the last 50 years, funding the government, schools, roads, parks. But President Trump’s major spending bill, passed in July, gives mining companies a break on royalty fees — leaving state budgets lean. In this episode, easing coal fees comes at a price. Plus: Non-store retail spending saw double-digit year-over-year growth, small businesses suffer as they wait for tariff clarity, and stock investors basically ignore all the bad economic headlines.


Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.


Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Up next
Yesterday
Filling the federal data void
The federal government shutdown drags on this week, leaving a labor data vacuum. Private firms are hoping to fill the gap with their own data sets — some are even offering ‘em for free. Unfortunately, that private data is narrower and less comprehensive than typical BLS reports. ... Show More
25m 22s
Oct 6
Are AI financing loops efficient or alarming?
OpenAI announced it will invest big time in chipmaker AMD, potentially in exchange for a stake in the firm. As AI investment has ramped up, similar deals have become common. Do these partnerships signal a strengthening sector? Or are they a symptom of an AI bubble headed toward a ... Show More
25m 45s
Oct 3
The 'K' in 'K-shaped economy' stands for 'kitchen'
The gap between how high-income and low-income Americans are faring in this economy is growing. One example? Fast food restaurants are struggling while sit-down joints that cater to wealthier customers are A-OK. Also in this episode: “Every Screen on the Planet” author Emily Bake ... Show More
26m 6s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 15
The Uncertain Future of Renewable Energy
After the passage of President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” renewable energy companies are bracing for more challenging times. The law is set to end Biden-era subsidies for clean energy, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating that the industry could lose half a trillion ... Show More
18m 52s
Oct 1
Government shutdown begins, gold surges, Nike and Buffett deals
The US government has officially shut down after lawmakers failed to reach a funding deal, furloughing 750,000 workers and risking delays to jobs and inflation data critical for the Fed’s next moves. Markets opened Q4 lower, with futures and the dollar slipping while gold rallies ... Show More
22m 55s
Apr 2025
Trump 2.0: Where Is The Economy Headed?
President Trump’s deportations, tariffs, federal layoffs and funding suspensions have generated nonstop headlines and frayed confidence, yet left surprisingly little trace on the economy. Hiring, spending and inflation look a lot like they did under Joe Biden. As Trump’s first 10 ... Show More
25m 46s
May 2025
Is the clean energy economy doomed?
So far, President Trump’s “drill, baby, drill,” agenda has proven to be a sharp turn from Biden-era climate initiatives, including the landmark spending bill the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). And thanks to President Trump’s attempts to claw back control over IRA funds, as well a ... Show More
24m 8s
Sep 18
Albo cuts emissions targets; job market weakens; Macquarie Group merger?
Friday 19 September 2025 The federal government reduces its commitment to cut carbon emissions, triggering criticism from all sides. And more, including: The local jobs market weakens, offering more promise of interest rate cuts in coming months. A Donald Trump appointee influenc ... Show More
17m 44s
Feb 2025
Is recession risk rising?
A growing number of young American consumers say they’re opting out of the economy entirely or pulling back from spending at certain stores over their political views. We’ll explain how this trend could collide with other economic shifts, creating the perfect recipe for a recessi ... Show More
13m 15s
Apr 2020
Averting a Clean Energy Recession
The 2020 election is crawling forward amid the coronavirus pandemic. Former Vice President Joe Biden has become the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party, with Senator Bernie Sanders announcing his withdrawal from the race. With the primary settled, the next question is: c ... Show More
37m 28s
Mar 2018
The Coal Boss, the Comedian and the Squirrel
Last June, comedian John Oliver devoted a long segment to the struggling coal industry on his HBO show Last Week Tonight. He turned his attention to Robert Murray, the CEO of Murray Energy, one of the most bombastic advocates of coal. And then Murray sued Oliver for defamation.Th ... Show More
48m 46s
Jul 18
DOGE cuts package concerns, Trump to sue Murdoch, rare dinosaur fossil auctioned & more
We begin with how the DOGE cuts package will affect funding for various services and industries. President Donald Trump has vowed to sue Wall Street Journal owner Rupert Murdoch over the Jeffrey Epstein case. We explain how the EU aims to weaken Russia’s economy with a new sancti ... Show More
5m 46s
Sep 2024
One giant leap for private SpaceX-ploration
Today, SpaceX’s crew of billionaire Jared Isaacman and three other private astronauts completed the world’s first-ever commercial spacewalk. We’ll get into it. And, Congress is quickly approaching yet another deadline to avoid a government shutdown. What’s holding up lawmakers fr ... Show More
11m 23s