News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Life
Culture & Art
Hobbies
News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Culture & Art
Hobbies
This week in Federal Policy Watch: Trump-Vance administration paralyzes worker protection agencies and leaves workers without ability to enforce the right to a union | Economic Policy Institute
The Trump-Vance administration continued to focus its policy initiatives on attacking the federal workforce and government services, beginning the week with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issuing a memo ending all federal grants and loans. That action—which would have ended funding for things like Head Start programs’ early childhood education services and cancer…
Paid sick leave improves workers’ health and the economy | Economic Policy Institute
Beginning this year, Americans in three more states—Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska—will have access to paid sick leave, bringing the total number of states that provide paid sick leave up to 18 (plus Washington D.C.). These policies provide workers short-term leave to care for themselves or their family when they become sick. Paid sick leave laws…
DOGE is not worth engaging. You can’t cut your way to a federal government that does more. | Economic Policy Institute
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is the effort largely associated with Elon Musk. The stated goals are to reduce wasteful spending and eliminate unnecessary regulations. Unsurprisingly, the Trump administration and congressional Republicans are taking it seriously. More worryingly, there are good-faith proponents of improving the federal government’s capacity who seem willing to take it…
Is Trump taking the wrong turn for U.S. truck manufacturing? | Economic Policy Institute
President Trump’s executive order to revoke federal funding for investments in manufacturing clean vehicle technologies portends a bleak future for the jobs and communities building big trucks and buses in the United States, our new report co-authored with the BlueGreen Alliance details. Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are a backbone of U.S. economic life. Transitioning these…
This week in Federal Policy Watch: Trump administration undermines federal workers, immigrants, and DEI programs | Economic Policy Institute
The Trump administration issued a series of policies in its first week, largely focused on the federal workforce, immigration, and eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and protections. A few key policies are highlighted below, but you can find a comprehensive catalogue of all policies relevant to working people and the economy at…
Conservative Michigan lawmakers are threatening to undermine minimum wage increases for tipped workers | Economic Policy Institute
Seven years after conservative Michigan lawmakers scrapped a ballot measure that—if passed—would have increased the state’s minimum wage and gradually eliminated the lower tipped minimum wage, a Michigan Supreme Court decision is slated to go into effect next month to reinstate the ballot measure’s benefits for low-wage workers. However, conservative state lawmakers are considering new…
President-elect Trump is inheriting a historically strong economy | Economic Policy Institute
President-elect Trump will inherit unquestionably the strongest economy for an incoming administration since the George W. Bush administration. That strong economic performance heading up to the 2001 transition, moreover, was largely buoyed by an overvalued stock market that was about to deflate and cause a recession. There are no such obvious macroeconomic imbalances that look…
Child poverty bankrupts Dr. King’s dream for economic justice | Economic Policy Institute
Children, poverty, and economic freedom were at the heart of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963 when he spoke before more than 200,000 demonstrators at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In his remarks, Dr. King spoke about the “lonely island of poverty in the midst of…
The labor market sticks the landing: Job growth averaged 186,000 in 2024 | Economic Policy Institute
Below, EPI senior economist Elise Gould offers her insights on today’s release of the jobs report for December. Read the full thread here. The labor market stuck the landing!!! Not much soft about it. We end the year with a strong jobs report: - Payroll employment up 256k - Unemployment rate ticked down to 4.1%…
New research shows that work permits reduce child labor violations: State legislators must strengthen, not eliminate, youth work permits | Economic Policy Institute
In the past two years, states across the country have weakened child labor protections just as violations of these standards have risen, revealing significant weaknesses in both state and federal child labor laws and their enforcement. Fortunately, there are proven strategies for strengthening standards that protect children, such as youth work permits—which outline the potential…
Job openings little changed in November while quits declined slightly | Economic Policy Institute
Below, EPI senior economist Elise Gould offers her insights on today’s release of the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for November. Read the full thread here. Today is the first #NumbersDay of 2025 for those of us watching the labor market. The latest #JOLTS data shows much is "little changed" and "changed…
Over 9.2 million workers will get a raise on January 1 from 21 states raising their minimum wages | Economic Policy Institute
Twenty-one states will increase their minimum wages on January 1, raising pay for more than 9.2 million workers by a total of $5.7 billion. In addition, 48 cities and counties will raise their minimum wages above their state wage floors, mostly in California, Colorado, and Washington. The January 1 increases show that the minimum wage…
Wage inequality fell in 2023 amid a strong labor market, bucking long-term trends: But top 1% wages have skyrocketed 182% since 1979 while bottom 90% wages have seen just 44% growth | Economic Policy Institute
Wage inequality fell for the second year in a row in 2023 but still remains extremely high, according to our analysis of newly available wage data from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Average real earnings mostly held steady in 2023 (–0.1%) as inflation receded, but there were significant differences across the earnings distribution. The bottom 90% experienced…
Nearly half of U.S workers will live in states with at least a $15 minimum wage by 2027: Alaska and Missouri became the latest states to enact a $15 minimum wage | Economic Policy Institute
In the 2024 election, Alaska and Missouri voters approved ballot measures to increase their state minimum wages to $15 an hour in the coming years. This means that now 15 states and Washington D.C. either have or will have minimum wages of at least $15 an hour. In addition, four more states will likely reach…
Labor market bounced back in November: Job growth has averaged 173,000 in the last three months | Economic Policy Institute
Below, EPI senior economist Elise Gould offers her insights on today’s release of the jobs report for November. Read the full thread here. It's a big #NumbersDay!! Latest #EconSky data says the labor market is still going strong. After the softer numbers in October from the weather and striking workers, November bounces back with…
Three ways workers’ rights are on the chopping block under President Trump: Judging by the first Trump administration, workers and unions are set to face new attacks and a rollback of rights | Economic Policy Institute
This piece was originally published at In These Times. Much of the Trump-Vance campaign’s platform was designed to provoke outrage rather than to supply policy details. So, if you’re trying to figure out what to actually expect from the coming second Trump administration, it’s helpful to look at the record of Trump’s first term in…
New data explore U.S. economic conditions by race and ethnicity—including for American Indian and Alaska Native communities | Economic Policy Institute
This November, EPI’s Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy updated our interactive chartbook showing racially disaggregated data across several domains, including population demographics, civic engagement, labor market outcomes, and health. In addition to updating the charts with the most recent data available, many of the charts now include new data on American Indian and…
Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey continues to show labor market strength | Economic Policy Institute
Below, EPI senior economist Elise Gould offers her insights on today’s release of the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for October. Read the full thread here. Latest #JOLTS data out this morning continues to show labor market strength. Job openings ticked up slightly in October and has normalized considerably over the last two…
How trends in American Indian and Alaska Native population growth impact employment data | Economic Policy Institute
American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) is a broad and diverse Census-defined racial category that includes Indigenous populations with origins in North America and South (including Central) America. Within the United States, American Indian or Native American is also a political identity defined by tribal citizenship. Of the nearly 8 million people who selected the…
How Republicans in Congress are trying to quietly privatize SNAP through the back door of disaster relief | Economic Policy Institute
The country’s largest and most important government anti-hunger program faces a renewed threat as Congress returns from recess next week: privatization. Congress needs to reauthorize the now-expired Farm Bill—the enormous legislative package that includes funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as food stamps)—but a privatization scheme was attached to the…
The policies that will determine whether Trump’s labor secretary pick supports workers | Economic Policy Institute
President-elect Donald Trump recently announced his nomination of Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer to serve as Secretary of Labor. She is one of only three House Republicans to co-sponsor the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and one of only eight Republicans to co-sponsor the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act. Both bills would help reform…
Measuring diversity in construction apprenticeship programs: Data show higher rates of participation of women, Hispanic workers, and workers of color in union-based apprenticeships than nonunion programs | Economic Policy Institute
Registered apprenticeship programs represent the lifeblood of the construction industry. These vital workforce development programs—which typically do not require a nickel of student debt or government tax dollars—build worker skills while offering career pathways to good-paying jobs for blue-collar Americans. These programs are also key to the long-run sustainability of the U.S. construction industry, making…
NLRB rules anti-union captive audience meetings an illegal abuse of employer power: States must also continue to broaden protection of workers’ freedom from employer coercion on political, religious matters | Economic Policy Institute
U.S. employers have tremendous power over worker conduct. For decades, federal law has allowed employers to require workers to attend “captive audience” meetings—and force employees to listen to political, religious, or anti-union employer views—on work time. Last week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled that anti-union captive audience meetings in particular are illegal because…
The school bus driver shortage remains severe, and bus driver pay is getting worse | Economic Policy Institute
As the school year got underway in August and September, school districts throughout the country once again faced a daunting challenge: severe bus driver shortages. For instance, the St. Louis Public School District had to cobble together a transportation plan that included Metro bus rides and private cab companies after the district’s primary bus driver…
A review of key 2024 ballot measures: Voters backed progressive policy measures | Economic Policy Institute
In this year’s election, voters given the opportunity to weigh in directly on questions of economic justice showed policy preferences far more progressive than those reflected in many national and state election outcomes. Across the country, voters seized opportunities to approve state or local ballot measures increasing the minimum wage, expanding paid leave, strengthening workers’…
Top-line job growth number distorted by hurricanes and strikes: All other data point to a historically strong labor market | Economic Policy Institute
Below, EPI economists offer their insights on the jobs report released this morning for October. From EPI president Heidi Shierholz Read the full thread here. The topline BLS numbers show the labor market added 12,000 jobs in October – a much lower number than what we've been seeing in recent months, due to people…
Five things to consider on Election Day if you care about economic and racial justice | Economic Policy Institute
Days before one of the most consequential elections in recent history, it’s a good time to consider what’s at stake when it comes to racial and gender economic equality and worker empowerment. You’ve heard the political rhetoric, but here’s a reality check. Here are five things to keep in mind before you enter the voting…
Hurricanes’ impact will distort Friday’s jobs report, but there’s no reason to be spooked about the labor market | Economic Policy Institute
The broader sweep of economic evidence—including yesterday’s extremely strong reading on gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the third quarter of 2024—tells a clear story: The U.S. economy and labor market is extraordinarily strong relative to any historical benchmark. For example, private-sector job growth and inflation-adjusted wages have grown noticeably faster since the end of…
Behind the numbers of Hispanic employment: A strong labor market has delivered historic gains, but differences remain among demographic groups | Economic Policy Institute
The strong labor market over the last two years has produced historic employment gains for Hispanic workers. In 2022, Hispanic workers achieved one of their lowest unemployment rates on record. Later in 2023, the share of the Hispanic population ages 25–54 with a job reached the highest point in recorded history. Behind these aggregate statistics,…
Seven reasons why today’s economy is historically strong | Economic Policy Institute
Economic performance looms large in every presidential election year. In 2024, people’s perception of their own economic situation is high, yet their estimation of the economy’s performance more generally has been noticeably negative. It is often taken as given in economic commentary that the economy was stronger pre-pandemic. This impression is deeply mistaken. The economy…
Time is running out for state and local governments to obligate American Rescue Plan funds | Economic Policy Institute
December 31 is the deadline for states, cities, and municipalities to obligate their State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). The $350 billion program—part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)—has played an important role in rebuilding and sustaining public services over the last 3.5 years. However, the latest data show many recipient governments…
Today’s teacher shortage is just the tip of the iceberg: Part II | Economic Policy Institute
In a previous post, we highlighted the data indicating a shortage in teacher labor markets and offered solutions to address it. But closing the current labor shortage would not necessarily imply that we have invested enough of society’s resources in public schools. A teacher shortage means that demand for teachers (proxied by vacant positions) is…
Today’s teacher shortage is just the tip of the iceberg: Part I | Economic Policy Institute
The new school year has begun with some confusion over the state of teacher labor markets. News outlets have reported conflicting stories on the teacher shortage, with some saying it is over or improved, and others reporting still not having enough teachers to meet classroom needs. This two-part series looks at labor market conditions of…
Policy choices did not cause recent years’ inflation—but did deliver strong wage growth | Economic Policy Institute
Last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 254,000 jobs were created in September and that job growth in both July and August was stronger than initially reported. This report was just the latest confirmation of the extraordinary strength of the U.S. labor market in recent years. This strength is what led to real…
Blockbuster jobs report shows strong growth: The Fed should still continue to lower rates | Economic Policy Institute
Below, EPI economists offer their insights on the jobs report released this morning, which showed 254,000 jobs added in September. From EPI senior economist, Elise Gould (@eliselgould): Read the full thread here. Strong jobs report! - payroll employment up 254,000 with past months revised up by 72,000 - nominal wage growth rose 4.0% over the…
Immigrant workers help grow the U.S. economy: New state fact sheets illustrate the economic benefits of immigration | Economic Policy Institute
Political debates about the impact of immigration on the economy have often been at odds with the facts. But the consensus is surprisingly uncontroversial among economists: Immigration expands and strengthens the economy. The Economic Policy Institute and the Immigration Research Initiative have come together to synthesize some of the most essential facts on immigration, immigrant…
Actually, the U.S. labor market remains very strong | Economic Policy Institute
It is indisputable that the U.S. labor market is strong. The share of the population ages 25–54 with a job is at a 23-year high, median household incomes rose 4.0% last year, and real wage growth over the last four years has been broad-based and strong. The economy has not only regained the nearly 22…
Today’s JOLTS report shows that the Fed did the right thing by lowering rates | Economic Policy Institute
Below, EPI senior economist Elise Gould offers her insights on today’s release of the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for August. Read the full thread here. Labor market churn continues to decline in August as hiring stays soft and quits tick down while layoffs remain low. After a lot of job switching…
The post-pandemic recovery is an economic policy success story: Policymakers took the best way through a rocky path | Economic Policy Institute
The Federal Reserve belatedly began cutting interest rates two weeks ago, putting a quasi-official stamp on the “soft landing” with inflation nearly being brought down to the Fed’s long-run 2% target without any substantial weakening of the labor market. This milestone seems like a natural time to assess how well macroeconomic managers handled the past…
Access to paid sick leave continues to grow but remains highly unequal | Economic Policy Institute
Absent federal action, states and localities have expanded workers’ ability to earn paid sick leave to care for themselves and their families. The results of these efforts over the past dozen years are clear: there have been significant gains in access to paid sick time among private-sector workers. The latest data released this morning from…