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U.S. NEWS Saturday 12 September 2020
U.S. budget deficit hits record $3 trillion through 11 months

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER by the end of this year, the
AP Economics Writer amount of government
WASHINGTON (AP) — The debt will equal 98% of the
U.S. budget deficit hit an total economy and then
all-time high of $3 trillion for next year it will exceed
the first 11 months of this 100% of gross domestic
budget year, the Treasury product, the economy's
Department said Friday. total output of goods and
The ocean of red ink is a services. That's a level not
product of the govern- seen since the huge gov-
ment's massive spending to ernment debt buildup in
try to cushion the impact of the 1940s to pay for fighting
a coronavirus-fueled reces- World War II.
sion that has cost millions of By comparison, the debt
jobs. held by the public totaled
The deficit from October 79% of GDP at the end of
through August is more 2019 and stood at 35% of
than double the previous GDP in 2007 before the
11-month record of $1.37 Great Recession.
billion set in 2009. At that Even with huge amounts
time the government was of debt being added, the
spending large sums to get government's interest costs
out of the Great Recession In this April 29, 2020 file photo, a man wearing a mask to protect against coronavirus, waits to to finance the debt are ac-
triggered by the 2008 finan- cross the street as a digital sign displays groups of people walking above another sign displaying tually down 10% this year
the size of the national debt along an empty K Street in Washington.
cial crisis. Associated Press to $484 billion compared
With one month to go in the to what the government
2020 budget year, which cit well above last year's individuals and aid for small out of work and so many spent on interest payments
ends Sept. 30, the deficit imbalance of $984 billion. businesses trying to retain businesses struggling to re- last year. Treasury officials
could go even higher. The The previous record deficit their workers. open, the economic re- said the lower figure is due
Congressional Budget Of- for a fiscal year was $1.4 tril- However, many of the sup- covery could wither by late to lower interest rates this
fice is forecasting the defi- lion in 2009 in the aftermath port programs ended in this year. year as the country went
cit this year will hit a record of the financial crisis. early August and efforts to The deficit for August to- into recession.
$3.3 trillion. However, the Congress has passed a approve another measure taled $200 billion, matching Through August of this year,
government often runs sur- series of relief bills totaling to restore the expired pro- the August 2019 deficit and tax revenue totaled $3.05
pluses in September so it is nearly $3 trillion that pro- grams have so far failed in reflecting the fact that with trillion, 1.3% below the same
possible the final figure for vided support such as a Congress. relief programs expiring, period last year. Spend-
this year could come in just $600-a-week boost in un- That has raised concerns the gains in monthly gov- ing totaled $6.05 trillion,
under $3 trillion. employment benefits, up among economists that ernment spending slowed. up from $4.16 trillion for the
That would still put the defi- to $1,200 in payments to with so many people still The CBO is forecasting that same period last year.q

Citations for 9 people who demonstrated near McCloskey home

By JIM SALTER led the protest, called the sance palazzo-style man-
Associated Press citations an attempt to in- sion with an AR-15 semi-
O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Nine timidate peaceful protest- automatic rifle, a prob-
protesters have been is- ers. able cause statement said.
sued trespassing sum- "We're not going to be Patricia McCloskey, 61,
monses for marching onto threatened, and that's emerged with a semi-au-
a private St. Louis street what's happening across tomatic handgun. No shots
in June, a demonstration this country," said Gray, who were fired. Missouri law al-
that prompted a couple was not issued a summons. lows homeowners to use
to emerge from their home "You've got local govern- force, even lethal force, to
with guns to confront the ments and states who are defend their homes.
demonstrators. trying to charge protesters, But Circuit Attorney Kim
Mark and Patricia McClo- financially charge them, Gardner, a Democrat, said
skey were both charged wanting them to pay costs. the guns created the risk of
in July with unlawful use of You've got others who want bloodshed. In this June 28, 2020 file photo, armed homeowners Mark and
a weapon in a polarizing to make it a law against A police probable cause Patricia McCloskey, standing in front of their house along
Portland Place, confront protesters marching to St. Louis Mayor
case that landed them exercising our First Amend- statement said protesters Lyda Krewson's house in the Central West End of St. Louis.
a spot at the Republican ment right." feared "being injured due Associated Press
National Convention last On June 28, about 300 to Patricia McCloskey's fin-
month. Police spokeswom- people protesting racial ger being on the trigger, defend themselves and Their case is still pending in
an Evita Caldwell on Friday injustice veered onto the coupled with her excited warning that unless Trump court.
confirmed that nine pro- private street. The McClo- demeanor."The charges is reelected, America faces Deputy City Counselor
testers have been issued skeys said demonstrators against the McCloskeys a future of lawlessness and Mike Garvin told the St.
summonses but said the St. ignored a "No Trespassing" drew an angry response mayhem. Louis Post-Dispatch that his
Louis City Counselor's office sign and broke through a from President Donald Meanwhile, Republican office wants to examine
is still deciding whether to gate, but protest leaders Trump. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson video from the protest "to
issue charges on the cita- said the gate was open. The couple spoke on video has said he will almost cer- see where the accused
tions. Mark McCloskey, 63, came at the RNC, saying they tainly pardon the McClos- trespassers were at the
The Rev. Darryl Gray, who out of the couple's Renais- had a "God-given right" to keys if they are convicted. time."q