UPCOMING EVENT
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Washington, DC
Despite massive job losses in the last decade, U.S. manufacturing remains critical to the nation’s economic future and requires a new era of policy attention. On February 22, the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings hosts a forum exploring the type of manufacturing the nation is most likely to retain and build, as well as a policy framework for strengthening high-wage, export-intensive production in America. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Karen Dynan, Ted Gayer and Darrell M. West, February 12, 2012, The Brookings Institution and The Washington Post
In the 11th "How We're Doing Index," Karen Dynan, Ted Gayer and Darrell West use data from the past five quarters to chart recent economic improvements and discuss the likelihood of policy responses ahead of the election. Due to the current political gridlock in Washington, they argue, non-political actors—particularly the Federal Reserve—will be the primary sources of changes in economic policy. Read More
BOOK
Barry P. Bosworth, February 10, 2012
Longtime Brookings economist and former presidential adviser Barry Bosworth
examines why saving rates in the United States have fallen so precipitously over the
past quarter century, why the initial consequences were surprisingly benign, and how
reduced saving will affect the future well-being of Americans. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Scott Winship, February 09, 2012, Senate Budget Committee
Testifying before the Senate Budget Committee, Scott Winship discusses inequality, economic mobility and opportunity in America. Winship clarifies statistics regarding the state of the poor and middle class and notes that policies to promote opportunity and upward mobility can take many forms, including investments in education, reforms to school governance, safety net programs, work, marriage, and savings.
Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Martin Neil Baily, Leslie Jeng, Josh Lerner and Meghan Pasricha, February 2012, The Brookings Institution
Martin Baily, Leslie Jeng, Josh Lerner and Meghan Pasricha summarize the discussions at a recent day-long event focusing on private capital and the role of investors in job creation. Topics covered include: the state of private capital and its future potential for stimulating economic growth; the impact of regulation and government intervention on the economy; an update on private capital research; and the drivers of innovation and the role of private equity in stimulating growth. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Howard Wial and Jonathan Rothwell, February 06, 2012, The Avenue, The New Republic
Howard Wial and Jonathan Rothwell respond to a New York Times opinion piece that questions whether the country’s manufacturing sector needs government support. Wial and Rothwell outline the case for reviving the sector, showing how it disproportionately abets innovation and regional economic clusters. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Gary Burtless, February 03, 2012, The Brookings Institution
With the unemployment rate dropping to 8.3% in January, Gary Burtless examines the numbers in the Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report that indicate a seventh straight month of improvement in the job market. Burtless explains which demographics and industries, including manufacturing and construction, have seen the most job growth. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney, February 03, 2012, The Hamilton Project
Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney examine the decline in marriages over the last 50 years, highlighting the correlation between income level and likelihood of marrying. Greenstone and Looney note that the decline in marriage is concentrated among less-educated, lower-income Americans. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
8:30 AM to 10:00 AM
Washington, DC
Innovation and entrepreneurship are crucial for creating new jobs and building our nation’s long-term prosperity. Research indicates that firms less than five years old have been responsible for all net job creation in the United States over the past 30 years – approximately 40 million jobs. On February 1, Brookings hosted a discussion with Steve Case, AOL co-founder and CEO of Revolution LLC, and Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), the co-sponsors of the Startup Act on strategies for increasing high-growth entrepreneurship and creating jobs through improving the environment for entrepreneurs to start companies and expand existing businesses. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Martin Neil Baily, February 01, 2012, House Committee on Small Business
Testifying before the House Small Business Committee, Martin Baily argued that a range of policies can support small business growth—from expanding credit to streamlining the regulatory process. He urged a focus on balancing the budget over the next ten years, extending the payroll tax cut through 2012, a realistic framework for raising tax revenues, and controlled spending growth. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Sarah A. Binder, January 27, 2012, The Monkey Cage
Sarah Binder examines the Federal Reserve's dual mandate from Congress to reach full employment while maintaining price stability, specifically focusing on the recently released interest rate projections by the Fed. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Washington, DC
President Obama’s State of the Union address was delivered last night to a divided Congress against the backdrop of presidential election year politics. On January 25, Brookings hosted a discussion of the president’s speech and how it might impact crucial policy issues facing the nation in this pivotal election year. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Ted Gayer, January 25, 2012, The Brookings Institution
Ted Gayer interprets the housing policy proposal for underwater homeowners hinted at in President Obama’s State of the Union address. Gayer discusses who would win and lose from a policy targeting "responsible homeowners" and notes the effects it would have on preventing foreclosures and stimulating the housing market. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Stephen Hess, January 25, 2012, The Brookings Institution
On January 25, Stephen Hess answered your questions on the 2012 State of the Union address in a live web chat moderated by POLITICO. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William G. Gale, January 24, 2012, Christian Science Monitor
William Gale writes that if the United States is going to reduce the medium- and long-term deficit, new tax revenues must be part of the solution. Gale examines the impact that new taxes, including higher income taxes and new consumption taxes, may have on government spending and the economy. Read More