Economy -- Wholesale Prices Highest Since 1981: The Labor Department said yesterday that wholesale prices rose 1 percent in January, a 7.4 percent jump from January 2007... The last time wholesale inflation over 12 months was higher than 7.4 percent: October 1981. Story. Taxes/Energy Bill -- Vote Likely Tomorrow: H.R. 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008 (see 02-25-08 Report), featuring $18 billion in offset tax incentives intended to encourage the production and use of cleaner forms of energy, is expected to come to the House floor for a vote tomorrow. Bill analysis. Health Care -- Report on Projected Spending Growth: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services has released a new report projecting spiraling health care spending growth due to medical prices, increased usage, and demographic changes... This growth will affect both public government programs and private sector health care costs, per the report. Ethics -- Ashcroft Ducks Subpoena; Will Testify: The Washington Post reports today that former Attorney General John Ashcroft, facing a subpoena threat, has instead agreed to testify in the coming weeks before a House committee about his firm's multi-million dollar contract overseeing a medical equipment company... a contract allegedly awarded him by a former employee at the Justice Department.