calling from ben & jerry's. you don't want to miss that. "the willis report" is coming up next. thank you guys. gerri: hello, everyone, i am gerri willis. tonight on "the willis report", why did it take so long to get action on this fire risk of jeep vehicles? and do you know where your money is really going? and amtrak. dishing out lavish meals and you are taking picking up the tab. >> we are watching out for you tonight on "willis report." ♪ ♪

♪ gerri: wildcard, black angus steak, your choice of red or white wine. this is not the many fancy restaurant, these are the meals being served right now on amtrak. it is also getting some help from the country's top chefs, and yes. you are paying for it. john mica, chairman of the committee on government operations who oversees all of this is that it is timeeto cut out the fancy meals and stop taxpayers are being taken from a ride. congressman is with me now. >> how much money are you spending on us if and how much money are we losing? >> i hope you're sitting down. but as of the last 12 years, this year we have lost a billion dollars in food service and amtrak. over $72 million in losses. now, we learn that we are paying

for a gourmet chef enclave that is held every year. gerri: so a culinary advisory committee just knocks my socks off paying for three gourmet chefs to design these meals. here we go, i'm not against big food, i love good food. i just don't want to pay for amtrak's losses. what should happen here? >> well, even if these are only

advisory people, we have to find out how this works. this food is served on these long-distance routes. over the last year, the losses have increased. this is underwriting every ticket by over $400. so the losses are huge amount. this comes down when we are debating in the florida house. >> congressman, you said you don't know what we are paying. how can we not know the answer that question? >> we do know that in testimony to estimate their losses last year at $72 million. we do not know about this gourmet chef conclave.

the advice may be free, but what are they doing adding more expensive meals to those that are alreadyylosing and costing taxpayers millions of dollars. gerri: it is unbelievable. the roasted chicken, to latvia, sorbet and gelato. amtrak loses money on a hamburger. why are they bothering with this? >> pavilion a billion and a half dollars, everyone who got 30 million tickets that were sold, was subsidized $46. now there is food service and there is a chef, a gourmet chef. we want to find out how much that costs and why they are increasing their food costs instead of decreasing them and saving taxpayer money.

gerri: congressman, do you have any idea how much money they are making these days? >> unfortunately they have cooked the books. we have $300 million even in the northeast corridor of the account of capital expenditures. gerri: not only are they losing more money, but they are charging more. this is back to what i said about taxpayers paying and subsidizing for every 40 cents a hamburger. thank you, for coming on today, thank you so much.

other stories tonight, chrysler backing under recall pressures from the government. reaching an agreement with national highway traffic safety administration. 7 million eeps, chrysler is maintaining the vehicles as regulators have linked to 51 deaths. calling the efforts unfruitful. when you make of this, joe? they kind of went behind closed doors with something that is less than clear they are using

this as grounds for this request. they are not request. gerri: there are deaths linked to this by the federaa government. fifty deaths. how do you get beyond that? >> they're going to do a visual inspection.

if they do have the sacrilegious, than they are okay. but if they don't, they are going to add a trailer hitch and that is going to reinforce it at the end. it protects them from liability in the previous steps because there is no admission that there is something wrong with the vehicle. gerri: they're going to take 2.6 million jeep grand cherokees and jeep liberty sport would you just saw pictures of.

is this a case where the federal government was overreaching in over stepping. did they get what they wanted on federal agency? >> i think that chrysler knows what this is about. a last-minute challenge him up like this was in 96. here is the thing, the one that case in court. what happened during the two years in the middle? bad pr, when the court decisions finally come through. they pushed back because they believe and they still maintain that the vehicles have this data to back them up.

>> thank you for coming on. now we want to know what you think. what o you know about saving for college? who do you trust more? let's talk about important stuff. douglas holtz he can we do next something complete different.

i met turt friend today so, you don't get th veroften. it smed lso beautul.rehan happy to have us in his home. avo: more trav. moreptions. more personal.

whatever you're looking for expedia has more ways help you nd yours. at od, whatever business you're in, that the business we're in. with premium service like one of e be on-timeelivery recos and a low claims ratio, we do whatever it takes to make your business our business.

od. helping the world ke promises. gerri: traders have been using the markets to express the anxiety. douglas holtz eakin, president of the american action form is with us. i have never heard so much talk about this in my life.

>> i don't think they will do anythiig and i don't think this meeting will be anything. traditionally the fed is going to do something, they are going to do it after the big meetings in jackson hole. gerri: markets are in disarray. >> that is the fed's law. they really did make a conscious effort to improve communications >> i don't think anything will happen in the near term.

the one you are in this. gdp growth, high unemployment. gerri: when you make of this economy? >> we are not doing well. as he said, unemployment remains very high, double digits for comprehensive measures of unemployment. gerri: one of the little secrets of thii economies that interest rates are so low that if you're a senior or savior in 10 favor, you're getting nothing for your money. >> that a strike would have a big stick what the fed does.

everyone's credit cards, car loans, higher. it is going to go there to interest rates are going through the roof. let's say that you have an adjustable rate mortgage by the interest rates. >> that is a problem that we want to have is an economy that is growing so rapidly. a lot of people need to understand how we need to slow it down. gerri: douglas holtz eakin, thank you for coming on. we are so privileged to know you. thank you. my "two cents more" on what will happen when the fed makes its

decision, if it does come at the end of the show. later in the show, we'll be speaking with the former state victims advocate from connecticut. she will bring us the latest in the fight to bring the charity dollars to those who need it following that sandy hook shooting. interesting story. in a much lighter topic. on the right and wrong way to save for your kids education. [ male announcer ] withree package pick

from the united stat postal serce a small design firm can ship like a big business.

just go online to pa print and haveve your packages picked up for free we'll do the rest. ♪ we'll do the rest. we rlaced people with a machine. what? customers didn't like it. so why do banks do it? hello? heo? if your nk doe't let you talk to a real person 24/7, you need an ally. hello? ally bank. your money needs aal. gerri: a popular way for saving for college. how to keep your plan ontrack coming up next in 60 seconds

gerri: college savings are on the rise thanks to the 529 savings plan. now, these accounts are amassing nearly $170 billion. that is 3% from the year before. sahadi make sure that you keep your plan ontrack? joining me now is joe hurley, and nikita smith. welcome to you both. so you can make mistakes even though you're putting money into 529 plans. >> that's right, realize that in the 529 plan, you are investing in mutual funds based on what the market is doing, if you need

that money to pay, you take on the risk. >> saving for college is an important thing to be doing in the first place. >> you can earn your taxpayer dollars and have the withdrawal be tax free as well. that is a great deal and we just

need better options across the board. >> i agree with that. >> they are getting their child's education fund intact. the closer they get to the age of graduation, it can be very hard. it takes more work when your child is young, it invested more in stocks. when the child is older, closer to college age, it shifts automatically to money market investments which are much less risky. gerri: we were talking about how

you have to limit your change because you can't change all the time. how do you do that? was the best time of year to make your changes and on what basis should we do it? >> well, really, one of the options i think is the best is the option that joe is talking about. the same that you have 401ks with and that is it really great way that you don't have to think about the type of investments that you will need depending on the age of your child and when they get to be college-age. gerri: joe, there has been complaints with these age-based plans. and concerns that some folks may be into too many bond funds because what has come on in the marketplace. some of the states are not our own. what did do you advise people to the allocation mix right now. you are not setting it and forgetting it. what should we do? >> it depends on the age of your child. if your child is under 10 years

old, then you need to be in the stockmarket primarily to keep up this 46% tuition inflation. once the child is older, then more fixed income does make sense and there is a concern about the 529 plan, and i have taken a look at most 529 plans are using short-term or intermediate term bonds or even money market or bank markets for the older children. they do have professionals investing in this money and you do have to face a lot of trust issues with them, you have to trust them a lot. if you don't want the age-based approach, their other there are other options we can make up your own investment allocations. gerri: do you set up two separate plans, just one? what is the best way to go about it? >> they are pretty flexible..3

that flexibility allows you to change the investments. if one child gets a scholarship, that is really something that can be important. gerri: thank you both for coming on. coming up, delving into the way to your medical bills can be compromised. what about your employers. the details ahead or not. more than six months after the sandy hook shooting, victims are waiting to see a dime of the millions of dollars in donations. they are not the only ones.

coming up after the break. you won't want to miss it ♪ [ slap! ] [ male announcer ] your vorite foods fighting you? fight back fast t withums. calcium-ch tums starts working so fast you'll forget you h heartburn ♪ tum tum tum tum tums

you'll forget you h heartburn (announcer) at scottrade, ource to make their ney do more. (ann) to help me plan my next move, i take scottrade'sree, inranch seminars... plus, their live webinars. i use daily market commentary to improve strategy. and my local scottrade office guides my learning every st of the wa because they know i don't trade like everybody. i trade like me. i'm with scottrade. (announcer) scottrade... i trade like me. ranked "highest in customer loyalty for brokag and investment companies."

gerri: intelligence officials told congress today the controversial government surveillance program works. officials and some lawmakers use this as a public forum to defend the program. in the new report today says that charitable giving was up. up 1.5%, three corners of that comes from individual donors like you and me. that is why we are going to continue our investigation of charities around the country, making sure they give an honest accounting of that money. we have been turning up the heat of united way in connecticut. over $11 million were given impurities to the families of the sandy hook elementary.

those families have not seen a penny of that money. six months ago this happened. michelle cruise was a victim advocate at the time of the sandy hook shooting and she joins us now. michelle, it is great to have you here. what went wrong? why has in this money gone to families? >> thank you for having me. you know, part of the problem is that there wasn't a lot of transparency in the beginning when this was created. united way came out and said that they are collecting funds for the families and the idea for all of the community in the nation was that people were going to give donations to these funds and the money will go directly to the families. then it seems that there have been several different approaches.

then it went up to 7 million. i believe that with was it. in every state, crime victims have statutory rights, the idea that the community has given those donations was not based on need or that these funds were going to go to the community or services. gerri: you have said that these families are being re-injured because of this long-awaited time. >> i think they are being re-injured a number of ways. because of the grief, instead they are having to come forward and explain the need, make their objection to the different disbursements and this was never the intention of the donors and

it is not the intention of the community to help them. >> it is very controversial, united way has over $11 million. they haven't explained one. at $7.7 million, the remainder will stay with united way to be doled out over time to the community. you have been very critical of the governor's office and their involvement of this. why is that? >> well, first on of all when this happens, within the first week, i reached out to our national partners across the country. i wanted to learn from them what they learn in these tragedies, what obstacles we should get around and where we should be focusing our attention. every single person said that you have to come out and have an

official approach. one for the victims, one for the community and services. and you have to be transparent and for what types of injuries. making it clear to the community. i made that recommendation and unfortunately, united way, i think it was three or fourrweeks afterwards, it was on all the state agencies. gerri: that is true. >> the governor's office did endorse united way. here's what he had to say about this issue today. >> a link was posted on various websites. the problem is not collecting the money, but how it was distributed. we asked the support of fun and the united way to bring on an independent third party to handle the distribution. we continue to believe that the

@%ght cause of action is one that moves quickly in response to those most affected by this tragedy. they went out publicly and said let's get an independent group to dole out this money. what is wrong with that action? >> the problem is that the money was provided and went to united way. >> the one fund was in a few days of the boston bombing. the permit was within six to eight weeks of the incident. the money goes directly out to the family. that the only purpose of it was a they pass it through for the money of the victims. gerri: they are doling out $50 million since the tragedy. this was a situation where the

governor, the mayor, they all got involved and pointed the finger at them, saying give that money that is already out the door, and the people six months later are still waiting. >> just. >> it seems to me, and your utah me what you think, that united way has are his questionn to answer your. >> well, i think you are totally correct. the problem with united way is that they are conflicting. they had services that they wanted to provide that they are giving to the community. that is the proper place and i is the same recommendation that i have made to the governor's office. but massachusetts did is have everybody pointing to this. with how many funds are there in connecticut.

there are over 70 funds. gerri: 97 charities have actually got money in the wake of that tragedy. in ohio, the united way they're being sued because they had distributed very little of the money that was supposed to go to families who were caught up in another shooting there. we will talk about that in just a moment. michelle, thank you for coming on the show. thank you for responding. >> thank youufor having me. >> as i just mentioned, in february of last year, i'm sure you heard about this, three teenagers were shot and killed at a high school in ohio. united way set up a fund and nearly a million dollars was raised. local officials that 100% of the money would go to victtms families. but those families are now

suing, saying that they would have just a small fraction of that money, only 15%. this includes helping the community heal in their words. we will continue to follow that story as well. it is time to take a look at stories that you're clicking on tonight at fox business.com. stocks are moving higher. investors are also saying they don't expect the federal reserve will and the stimulus program tomorrow. president obama is hinting that ben bernanke will leave the federal reserve. obama told pbs that ben bernanke has already stayed a lot longer than he was supposed to. but that he has done an outstanding job. ceo announced internet company got 12 to 18,000 request in eight months. the most common request is

fraud, kidnapping and other criminal investigations. and the boeing 787. bowling one major orders and the customers had more than 100 planes of the 8710 model. those are some of the hot toys right now on fox business.com. we have more on this story when we come back. details on the new program helping main street trade like wall street. and your personal information is not just at risk in the doctors office. keeping your data private in the workplace.

it's a brand new start. your chance to rise and shine. with centurylink as yo trusted technology partner, you can do just that. th our visionary cloud infrastructure, glob badband network and stom communications solutions, your business is more reliable - secure - agile. and with responsive, dicated support, we help you shine every day of the week.

and with responsive, dicated support, i have copd. if you'vw hard it can be tbreathe and man, you know how that feels. copd includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. spiriva is a once-daily inhale copd maintenance treatment cthat helps open my obstructed airways for a full 24 hos. you know, spiriva helps mereathe easier. spiriva haihaler tiotropium brome inhalation powder es not replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden sympto tell your doctor if you have kidneoblems, glaucoma, trouble urinating, or an larged prostate. these may worsen with spiriva. discuss all cis you take, even eye drops. op takinspiriva and se immediate if your breathing suddenly worsens, yo throat or tongue swells, you get hives, vision changes or eye pain, or problems pa. otr side effectsnclude dry mouth and conspation. nothg can reverse copd. spiriva helps me breathe better. do breatng with copd weigh you down?

don't wait to ask your doctor about spiriva. >> from our fox business studios in new york, here again is gerri willis. gerri: welcome back. uncle sam and privacy concerns much amongst our nation's workers. how safe is your information when you are doing business outside of the office. good to see you, thank you for coming on the show tonight. you have some interesting examples on how this infoomation has gotten him into the publicc3 into the marketplace that never was supposed to be there. what happened? >> is a growing concern for many companies. we operate the world world's largest fully serviced docket space and we hear the stories that come out. hearing things in the elevator

and starting information, sensitive information on gossip that they heard from the elevator. again, it is all coming out on a twitter feed that someone started because they heard some information that was traded inside of an elevator. crazy stuff. >> when you are out and about, if you're traveling on business, for example, you might stop at a starbucks and there are a couple of e-mails. the thing that would be the wrong thing to do? >> absoluttly. one of the first thing that we tell people all the time is please be aware of your environment. when you are dealing with sensitive information, talking about a sensitive subject within the business. you have to be overly aware of who might be around. you just simply don't know. the world is filled with $1.2 billion of remote workers. coffee shops, in the car, other forms, you just don't know who

is listening. >> is it that you're doing work-at-home? >> not so much. i think most people can control %-listening i think it is ais relatively secure place to talk about sensitive subjects. >> so you shouldn't say that i have a meeting with goldman sachs this afternoon. you should make up a name, i guess. >> yes, we use this all the time internally. when you're dealing you are dealing with a large acquisition or a project. even when we have high talent in the organization. we have created a code name for anything that we are talking about the mighhy sensitive that we don't want to get out it is

as secure as possible when you are sitting with someone on the plane, dealing with sensitive information on your laptop, gerri: on the plane there is always someone with something interesting on the screen. >> leverage technology is about computing. so many places to store important documents, you might leave a briefcase or important documents behind. for example, i am traveling 50% of the time and i do not carry any documents with me. i access all of them through the web. gerri: a lot of people don't even think this is possible. >> i think a lot of this is part of the secure services that you can use.

for the most part it is better to have it stored somewhere and get it when you need it and to have this out in the hands of all of your employees. that is the big concern. >> coming up next, trading on main street. we will have details after the break vo: traveling you definitely end up meeting a lot more people but

a friend uer water is something completely different. i met a turtle friend todaso, you don't get that very often. it seemed like iwas more than happy to have in his home. so beautiful. avo: more travel. more options. more personal. whever you're looking for expedia has more ways to help you find you.

gerri: new software and small investor claims. you can trade like the pros. details in two minutes.

gerri: elite wall street trading strategies said to be heading to main street. a new web-based application software in the market now. >> they say it is like having your own quantitative programmer. that would cost $200,000 a year, a chunk of change.

can i get this for $99 a month? >> let me just say that nothing successful comes unless you really work at it. i don't think the software is doing anything that is not already out there already. there is plenty of technical analysis software. if your breaks down out of range, a lot of this is already out there. i think that this is maybe souped up a little bit. gerri: this is this is something that will take people's attention. you think i'm technical analysis , the old patterns, sttck market, and what is mostly a technical indicators. >> yes, there is a couple if not

more. you have to work and understand, it is based on fear and greed and i think it is okay to try. again, i have to repeat myself. all success comes from hard work gerri: the stock has had this kind of pattern and trading over time. that is the power of a. do you think this will really catch on with small investors? >> i think it has already caught on. and a lot of people already follow those things.

>> we are hoping to see how it works out, we've been doing it for many years. but the main point is that it just doesn't happen by accident. you really have to work. that is why i don't think that a lot of people follow it that much. gerri: yes, build your own algorithm. i am sort of going to say that as an indivvdual investor, i would probably stick with my mutual funds. thank you, gary. >> it is my pleasure to be one we will be right back with my "two cents more". stay with us. my mantra?

always go the extra mile. to treat my low testosterone, i did my research. my doctor and i wentith axiron, always go the extra mile. the only underarm low t treatment. axiron can resto t levels to noal in about 2 weeks in most men. axir is not for use in women anyonyounger than 18

or men with prostate or breast cancer. women, especially those who are or who mayecome pregnant and childrenhould avoid contact where axiron iapplied as uneected signs of puberty in children or changes in body hair or ireased ainomenay occu. report theseymptoms to your doctor. tell your doctor about all medicaconditions and meditions. serious side effts could include incrsed risk of prostate cancer;worseninprm creased sperm count; ankle, feet or body swling; enla or painful breasts; problems bathing while sleeping; and blood clots in the legs. enla or painful breasts; common side effects include and blood clots in the legs. skinedness or ritation where applied,ts; increased red blood ce count, common side effects include headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and increase in psa. ask your doctor about e only underarm low t treatment, axir.

>> in the biggest showdown ever chrysler agrees to voluntarily return to point* five older jeep as you be at risk of catching fire with

their we are end collision. hoodoo trust? >> if the choice is the government if then just go with the ex. >> chrysler will have to pay on the lawsuit i am glad to see they will not be bullied by the government. 95 percent said chrysler. tax code written by congress with private entities through the loopholes that we become the tax evading scandal. to establish the irs allowing the apples of the country to squirrel their money? it is the big contributions and the whole argument makes the flat tax the mike a good idea. send me an e-mail.

finally tonight we have talked all day about what happens tomorrow when the federal reserve finalizes the today's meeting. to star allow the economy and the market to find their own way. some people believe there will be pandemonium and others think the fear is baked into of share price but there is another impact all across america will cope with higher rates on credit-card debt and it may get more difficult to sell your house but peter broke this morning it is time for families to reconsider spending and tighten purse strings for a saving is down and spending is up with a high rate environment it is time to look for the opposite. thank you for joining us.

we will see you here tomorrow. lou: good evening. one nation prevailed to assert its interest in the summit in northern ireland and it was not united states. today's of talks of g8 and one hour discussion between obama and coots and on syria to turn out to be an embarrassment for the president. russian president and syrian ally successfully blocked @%e final statement from including a call for syrian president to step down and threatened veto of the the g8 condemnation after he insisted there is approved