Warmer weather is returning to the northern United States, and crews are gearing up for the busy 2007 construction season. The stone-production season extended late into the year in 2006, owing to mild fall and early-winter weather. But when winter finally got its grip, that grip was firm and was not released until mid-March - or later, in some areas. Northern producers are eager to ramp up production again. As producers restart operations, they'll do so amid some partly cloudy days for the U.S. economy. The gross domestic product is expected to shrink this year, although the economy is still in growth mode and creating new jobs. Meanwhile, President Bush's poll numbers continue to sag, and the Democrat majority in Congress likely will become increasingly less cooperative - especially as the 2008 presidential campaign heats up and anger over Bush's Iraq War policy continues to build.
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