With the state expected to announce Thursday that tax collections for September were about $200 million less than originally forecast, Governor Deval Patrick is confronting difficult decisions about which priorities he can pursue and which he may have to abandon due to the effects of the national financial crisis on Massachusetts.

Source: http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/10/gov_patrick_fac.html

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The Senate, after adding tax breaks and other legislative "sweeteners" to attract skeptical lawmakers, voted decisively last night to resurrect President Bush's controversial $700 billion financial aid package for Wall Street, setting up what could be a dramatic showdown when the House of Representatives reconsiders the measure within the next few days.

Source: http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/10/02/senate_firmly_backs_bailout/

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A veiled threat by Apple to close its iTunes store has emerged 18 months after it was issued and just a day before royalty rates are to be set.

The Copyright Royalty Board meets on Thursday to rule on a requested 66% increase for sales of digital music from 9 cents to 15 cents a track.

A rise would have to be paid by either Apple, the record company or consumer.

Apple opposed the rate hike and has said it is unwilling to raise its 99 cents a song price or absorb a rise.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7645537.stm