WASHINGTON — In yet another sign of the nation's economic problems, the consumer price index rose 1.1% in June, the largest increase since 1982, according to data released today by the Labor Department.
Much of the rise was triggered by rising energy prices, which increased 6.6%.
The CPI for petroleum-based energy rose 10%. The index for food rose .8%. Housing costs were up .5%
Consumer prices rose 7.9% during the second three months of 2008, compared to 3.1% during the first quarter of the year.
Many consumers also had less money to spend because wages fell .9% last month, according to a separate report by the department.
The data came on the heels of Tuesday's reports showing that producer prices are up and retail sales aren't increasing at the rate some had expected, in view of the infusion of money from stimulus checks issued by the government.
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