NEW YORK (AP) — Consumer confidence zoomed past economists' forecasts in April to its highest level since November, reflecting a growing sense that the economy may have bottomed out and Americans might be prepared to spend more money.

The findings released Tuesday offered hope that families could open their wallets after months of austerity, but experts cautioned that shoppers were unlikely to splurge while layoffs are still looming.

"When people feel better, they increase their spending," said Gary Thayer, chief economist at Wachovia Securities. But while people are spending a little more freely on everyday items, he said, they are "cautious and holding back on expensive items."

WASHINGTON (AP) — Aiming to assert control over the nation's economic debate, President Barack Obama on Tuesday warned Americans eager for good news that "by no means are we out of the woods" and argued his broad domestic agenda is the path to recovery.

In a speech at Georgetown University, Obama aimed to juggle his recent glass-half-full takes on the economy with a determination to not be stamped as naive in the face lingering problems. He summarized actions his administration has taken to steady the limping economy and coupled that with a fresh overview of his domestic goals.

President David Skorton attended the Student Assembly’s weekly meeting yesterday to field Assembly member’s questions and concerns regarding University adaptations to the current recession.

Skorton addressed the Assembly on numerous financial issues including next year’s rise in tuition. “We have agonized over the decision to increase tuition. It is quite a bit more than inflation and I am aware of that,” Skorton said.

To manage the effects of this raise in tuition, Skorton described the University’s efforts to appropriately adjust financial aid.

“We have moved millions of dollars from the construction of campus buildings towards giving students financial aid [and] we have greatly increased financial aid for families at or below the mean family income.”

A few days ago, while I was giving the new Keeton House ping pong table a workout, I observed a small band of students conspiring at the bottom of the stairs. I watched as they made their move on the dining room, banging pots and pans and yelling for attention. I quickly fell in behind these young idealists to find out how their political theater would challenge the establishment at its moment of national and global vulnerability.

At yesterday’s Student Assembly meeting, a major objective was to discuss a potential timeline of fiscal planning for 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 byline funding. The S.A. discussed their expectations for each byline-funded group to submit a “preliminary application” due late April, specifying the amount they will be asking for. However, the S.A. stressed that the amount each organization requests in their preliminary application will not be final, and the S.A. will request an official application due early next fall.

Ryan Lavin ’09, president of the S.A., articulated that the purpose of the preliminary application is “to be as fiscally responsible as we can be … while maintaining the quality of student activities for undergraduates.”

In addition to the $8.7 trillion that the U.S. government has already pledged last November in order to restore the crumbling economy, the Senate and House now have compromised on an additional $789 billion bill in the form of a stimulus package towards the efforts.

Well, Skorton called it, so we must obey. Starting this July, Cornell will need to trim 5 percent of its budget. As the provosts cancel their orders of multicolored paperclips and leather-backed desk chairs in favor of (gasp!) generic brand office supplies, we here at the Berry Patch have prepared our own list of items for the chopping block. Take note Skorton: recession spending isn’t as complicated as you might think.

Brass Polish for Statler Hall

On Jan. 7, Governor David Paterson (D-N.Y.) delivered the State of the State address. In his speech, Paterson’s first since assuming office last March, he focused on the numerous problems that the state is facing. He began the speech with a harsh assessment of New York’s current situation. 

“My fellow New Yorkers: Let me come straight to the point,” he said. “The state of our state is perilous.”

In his speech, Paterson touched on health, education, energy, environmental and economical issues that the state was grappling with, noting the adverse impact of the recession.

“New York faces an historic economic challenge, the gravest in nearly a century,” he said.

NEW YORK (AP) — If you're looking for an extra bargain before the holidays, you may only have to ask.

With holiday sales shaping up to be the lowest in years, possibly the worst since the industry began annual comparisons in 1969, retailers say they're taking consumers' demands for good deals seriously. Some are extending return policies, while others are matching competitors' prices. Many are volunteering on-the-spot discounts and even letting customers haggle prices well down from what's marked in a desperate bid to make the cash register ring.

"You'd have to be a moron not to ask for a discount," said Stephen Hoch, a retailing expert at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

WASHINGTON (AP) _ President George W. Bush expressed remorse that the global financial crisis has cost jobs and harmed retirement accounts and said he'll back more government intervention if needed to ease the recession.

"I'm sorry it's happening, of course," Bush said in a wide-ranging interview with ABC's "World News," which was airing Monday. "Obviously I don't like the idea of people losing jobs, or being worried about their 401(k)s. On the other hand, the American people got to know that we will safeguard the system. I mean, we're in. And if we need to be in more, we will."