Polina Vlasenko
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What Should the Minimum Wage Be?
In recent years we’ve heard many arguments in favor of raising the federal minimum wage significantly above its current level of $7.25 an hour. Some states (New York and California are the largest example) have adopted legislation mandating an increase in the state minimum wage. In most cases, the proponents of higher minimum wage argue…
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Economic Weakness Appears to be Spreading
Yesterday’s report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis gives the first look at the aggregate state of the economy this year, and it provides reasons for concern.
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Jobs Growth Continues, But Uneven Among Industries
The U.S. economy added jobs in March and more people are joining the labor force. Employee earnings continue growing at a decent pace, which bodes well for incomes. However, goods producing industries lost jobs for the second month in a row, a continued area of concern.
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Mixed Signals In the Revised GDP Report
The economy grew faster at the end of 2015 than we previously thought, but a deeper look at the data uncovers a mix of good and worrying signs.
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Negative Interest Rates Could Spur Risky Lending
In its most recent monetary policy move, the European Central Bank lowered interest rates further, taking one of its main policy interest rates – the rates the central bank has the authority to set – deeper into negative territory. As my colleague, Jia Liu, explained earlier, the Federal Reserve is not likely to introduce negative…
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A Chart That Captures the Skyrocketing Cost of College
My colleague, Patrick Coate, recently highlighted a story by Inside Higher Ed that discussed the relationship between the availability of student aid and the rising cost of a college education. But just how high has that cost gone, relative to other expenses borne by American families?
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Stronger Jobs Gains, But Likely Not Enough for Fed
The latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, released this morning, shows improved job creation in February and employee earnings growth in line with recent trends. But the reduction in manufacturing jobs is worrying. Given these mixed signals, the report is not likely to give the Fed reasons for raising rates later this…
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Beyond Better GDP Growth, Reasons For Concern
This morning, the Bureau of Economic Analysis released the revised estimates of the gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economy’s output, for the fourth quarter of 2015. According to the revised data, GDP rose 1 percent (annual rate) in the fourth quarter of 2015, somewhat faster than the 0.7 percent rate indicated by the…
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•
Good Signs, Hidden in the Jobs Report
Despite a somewhat slower pace of jobs growth in January, there are signs of further improvement in labor market conditions. But to understand them, you need to look beneath the surface.
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•
What Should the Minimum Wage Be?
In recent years we’ve heard many arguments in favor of raising the federal minimum wage significantly above its current level of $7.25 an hour. Some states (New York and California are the largest example) have adopted legislation mandating an increase in the state minimum wage. In most cases, the proponents of higher minimum wage argue…
-
•
Economic Weakness Appears to be Spreading
Yesterday’s report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis gives the first look at the aggregate state of the economy this year, and it provides reasons for concern.
-
•
Jobs Growth Continues, But Uneven Among Industries
The U.S. economy added jobs in March and more people are joining the labor force. Employee earnings continue growing at a decent pace, which bodes well for incomes. However, goods producing industries lost jobs for the second month in a row, a continued area of concern.
-
•
Mixed Signals In the Revised GDP Report
The economy grew faster at the end of 2015 than we previously thought, but a deeper look at the data uncovers a mix of good and worrying signs.
-
•
Negative Interest Rates Could Spur Risky Lending
In its most recent monetary policy move, the European Central Bank lowered interest rates further, taking one of its main policy interest rates – the rates the central bank has the authority to set – deeper into negative territory. As my colleague, Jia Liu, explained earlier, the Federal Reserve is not likely to introduce negative…
-
•
A Chart That Captures the Skyrocketing Cost of College
My colleague, Patrick Coate, recently highlighted a story by Inside Higher Ed that discussed the relationship between the availability of student aid and the rising cost of a college education. But just how high has that cost gone, relative to other expenses borne by American families?
-
•
Stronger Jobs Gains, But Likely Not Enough for Fed
The latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, released this morning, shows improved job creation in February and employee earnings growth in line with recent trends. But the reduction in manufacturing jobs is worrying. Given these mixed signals, the report is not likely to give the Fed reasons for raising rates later this…
-
•
Beyond Better GDP Growth, Reasons For Concern
This morning, the Bureau of Economic Analysis released the revised estimates of the gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economy’s output, for the fourth quarter of 2015. According to the revised data, GDP rose 1 percent (annual rate) in the fourth quarter of 2015, somewhat faster than the 0.7 percent rate indicated by the…
-
•
Good Signs, Hidden in the Jobs Report
Despite a somewhat slower pace of jobs growth in January, there are signs of further improvement in labor market conditions. But to understand them, you need to look beneath the surface.