Taylor Riggs on Inflation, Oil Markets, Union Power, and the Global Energy Squeeze

Hour 4 continues with economist Taylor Riggs breaking down the tension between government intervention and free-market outcomes, responding to critiques of big-government policy by highlighting inefficiencies in public systems like transit, postal services, and permitting processes. The discussion shifts into New York’s transit labor disputes, where union leadership pay structures and political pressure are contrasted with rank-and-file worker frustrations, alongside criticism of political blame games over stalled negotiations. Riggs then turns to macroeconomic conditions, arguing that a return to the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation target remains unlikely in the near term due to persistent energy pressures and elevated oil prices, with global supply chains, geopolitical instability, and refinery constraints all contributing to volatility. The segment closes with a broader energy market outlook, emphasizing the complexity of global oil flows, refinery limitations in places like California, and the continued influence of international trade dynamics on domestic fuel prices. Guests: Taylor Riggs Hashtags: #Economy #Inflation #OilMarkets #FederalReserve #EnergyCrisis #UnionPolitics #NewYork #FreeMarkets #MacroEconomics #MorningShow