Maureen Morgan online with Caryn McBride

We heard more troubling news about the economy last week. The FDIC said the number of banks on its "problem list" grew to 177 in the first quarter -- the highest figure in five years -- and Chairwoman Sheila Bair warned of more to come. The U.S. dollar weakened against the euro, yen and pound. Crude oil prices declined, then rose again, and the market reacted in turn. And concerns continued over unemployment, the housing market and accelerating inflation.

What does this mean for business in the Hudson Valley?

HVBiz checked in with Maureen Morgan, a transit advocate and board member of Federated Conservationists of Westchester. She also is a frequent contributor to this newspaper. (See her column, Surviving the Future, on page 15.)

In an online interview, Morgan talked about taxes, inflation, the "entitlement monster" and the nation's mounting debt.

Following are excerpts from the Web chat.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Morgan
• McBride
• economy
• taxes
• hudson
• valley
• westchester
• fairfield