STOCK MARKET WATCH -- Friday, 13 January 2012

[Demeter]

47. Obama To Seek Power To Merge Agencies, Streamline Government

DECK CHAIR TIME! OR MAYBE, MUSICAL CHAIRS

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/01/13/145157412/reports-obama-to-seek-power-to-merge-agencies-streamline-government?ft=1&f=1001

President Barack Obama plans to ask Congress "for more power to streamline the government by merging agencies," The Associated Press reports. It cites a "senior administration official" as its source.

Politico says it has confirmed the news that "in what could lead to a big reorganization of the federal government, President Obama will ask Congress for the power to merge departments and agencies to ... improve efficiency."

And The Hill is on the story as well, reporting that "President Obama, looking to make the federal government leaner, is looking to merge six trade and commerce agencies, a senior administration official confirmed."

According to the AP, the president's "first proposal would be to combine trade and commerce operations into one."

The White House says the president will be delivering "remarks on government reform" at 11:20 a.m. ET, from the East Room of the White House.