Ann Owen, the Henry Platt Bristol Professor of Economics, was interviewed for a story on NPR on Feb. 17 after Congress approved legislation to continue a payroll tax holiday and extend benefits for the long-term unemployed.

The piece, which was heard on North Country Public Radio, noted that though there are signs that the economy is improving, it is fragile.  Owen, a former economist at the Federal Reserve, warned, "If you withdrew the stimulus, consumer spending would be less."