"New Chair to Explore Economic Inequality"

[GreenPartyVoter]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Incoming House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank said Wednesday he plans to delve deeper into why some Americans are not reaping the benefits of a mostly healthy economy, which he called the "No. 1 problem" facing the country.

The Massachusetts lawmaker, in a wide-ranging discussion with reporters, highlighted some of his priorities once he takes over the committee, when the new Democratic-controlled Congress convenes in early January.

While the economy's growth, as measured by gross domestic product, has been expanding at a decent pace, the inflation-adjusted wages of workers have lagged.

After a long period of sluggish wage gains, workers in recent months have started to see an improvement as lower prices for gasoline and other goods have allowed their paychecks to go further.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20061207/D8LRLL500.html