ECONOMIC POLICIES, ANALYSIS, AND RESOURCES
The Economic and Trade Policy Domain tracks and reports on policies that deal with budget, taxation, and finance issues. The domain tracks policies emanating from the White House, Congress, the Department of Commerce and the Department of Treasury.
Latest Economic and Trade Policy Posts
Explaining the Minimum Wage
Brief #99—Economics
By Rosalind Gottfried
The term minimum wage actually refers to several different things. There is the federal minimum wage which is the lowest wage that employers can pay their workers unless they are in an exempt category of tipped workers.
Consequences of the Lack of a Stimulus Package
Brief #98—Economic Policy
By Rosalind Gottfried
The inability of Congress to reach an agreement on a second stimulus package has impacted both the rate of disease and the economic recovery in the country.
Social Security in the Time of Covid-19
Brief #97—Economics
By Rosalind Gottfried
There are several ways in which older Americans will be impacted as a consequence of the Covid epidemic.
Just How Unfair is the Tax Code?
Brief #96—Economics
By Rosalind Gottfried
The recently published revelations regarding the status of President Trump’s tax record hardly come as a surprise.
The Corona Virus Crisis Women in the Labor Force
Brief #95—Economic Policy
By Rosalind Gottfried
Women are leaving the workforce at a rate four times than that of men.
How the Supreme Court Impacts the Economy
Brief #94—Economics
By Rosalind Gottfried
The Supreme Court has an enormous influence on economic policy though this association is not commonly made. For example, the rights and well-being of the working and middle classes can hinge on the opportunity to unionize.
The Dismal Future of Public Pensions
Brief #93—Economic Policy
By Rosalind Gottfried
Many workers opt for public sector jobs lured by generous pensions and other benefits such as healthcare and leave time. Private sector work may offer higher salaries and some benefits but they are much less likely to offer guaranteed defined benefit retirement plans.
The Stock Market and Household Well-Being
Brief #92—Economics
By Rosalind Gottfried
The Stock market has surged, in August, almost to its historic February high, prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. This in spite of the absence of a new stimulus, the bi-partisan strife in the capital, and the spike in the Covid-19 cases this summer. In fact, the market has gained 32% since Trump took the office of the presidency.
Fed Commits to Keeping Borrowing Rate Low to Stimulate Economy
Brief #91—Economics
By Rosalind Gottfried
In mid-summer, with the resurgence of reported cases of Corona virus, the Federal Reserve announced its intention to maintain its benchmark lending rate at 0 to .25%, until at least 2022.