11.   It pays little attention to quarterly economic growth figures, and typically waits many months after the fact to judge when a recession has begun or ended.

12.   Normally recessions begin with weakness in the housing and auto sectors, as higher interest rates lead to depressed sales.

13.   Officials from the Economic Planning Agency here are expected to meet later this month to formally discuss when the recession began.

14.   Polls show that voters actually give Republicans slightly higher marks on the economy since the recession began.

15.   Recessions begin just after the economy peaks and end as the economy reaches a trough, said NBER.

16.   Since the recession officially began in March, unemployment claims have increased, further draining the fund.

17.   The economy gets severely disrupted and a nationwide recession begins.

18.   The national recession officially began in March and California probably followed about three months later.

19.   The National Bureau of Economic Research says it is possible a recession has already begun.

20.   The Senate measure would apply to unemployment-eligible workers who have lost their jobs since March, when analysts say the recession began.