Republicans sparred with President Barack Obama over proposals to create jobs in dueling radio addresses Saturday, highlighting the difficulty of reaching bipartisan solutions in a political climate marked by partisan bickering. See original here: Obama pushes Congress on small business loans (AP via Yahoo! News)

Obama urges Congress to use $30 billion from bank bailout for loans to small businesses More here: Obama pushes Congress on small business loans (Bay News 9 Tampa Bay)

Plan to use stimulus money to lower unemployment benefits rate hits wall One of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s signature efforts this year – a plan to cut the hefty unemployment-benefits taxes paid by businesses – has not gained the support of the business community despite weeks of talks, a senator said Friday. Read more: Business community leery of tax cut (Baltimore Sun)

Lawyer had questioned his competency to stand trial A 55-year-old Howard County man – tentatively diagnosed last year as possibly too psychotic, suicidal and severely depressed to stand trial – pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to arson for setting fire to his Highland home and electronics recycling business on Halloween 2008. View post: Howard man pleads guilty to setting fires...

Budget woes lead Wash., other states, to weigh getting out of the booze business Washington – Business – United States – Government – Business and Economy See more here: WA Among States Weighing Sale of Liquor Business (ABC News)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (UPI) — U.S. President Barack Obama called on lawmakers Saturday to approve a plan to use $30 billion from the bank bailout program for a small business lending fund. Continue reading here: Obama pushes small business measures (UPI)