SPOTLIGHT: U.S. Economy
Reuters/Fred Prouser - People search for jobs on computers at the Verdugo Jobs Center, a partnership with the California Employment Development Department, in Glendale, California.
Karen Dynan, Ted Gayer and Alan Berube, November 15, 2009
Despite the economy’s expansion in the last quarter, many American workers still lack jobs, the confidence to spend or a home to call their own. A team of Brookings experts began tracking data early this year to assess various dimensions of national and international well-being. The second quarterly "How We’re Doing" index looks at forces that stand in the way of a strong rebound and asks, "where are we going?"
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U.S. Economy, U.S. Economic Growth, Mortgage Market, Cities
SPOTLIGHT: U.S. Economy
Reuters/Rick Wilking - A sign announces a section of road work funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Gary Burtless, November 09, 2009
When the stimulus package was enacted last winter, the Obama administration said its goal was to create or save 3.5 million jobs by the end of 2010. Gary Burtless analyzes how closely the administration is coming to achieving that goal so far. He finds that, on the whole, recent reports have understated the net effect of the stimulus program on overall employment by not taking into account the indirect effects of the stimulus on consumer spending and employment.
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U.S. Economy, U.S. Economic Growth, Unemployment
SPOTLIGHT: Economic Mobility
Reuters/Jim Young - Child waves an American flag in Virginia
Isabel V. Sawhill and Ron Haskins, November 01, 2009
Americans have always believed that their country is unique in providing the opportunity to get ahead. Ron Haskins and Isabel Sawhill deconstruct five myths about economic mobility in the United States, saying that we need better policies to help create a true opportunity society.
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Economic Mobility, Children & Families, U.S. Poverty, U.S. Economy
SPOTLIGHT: U.S. Economy
Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi - Consumer pays at a Target store in Dallas
Karen Dynan, October 29, 2009
How long will the economic recovery take? Karen Dynan testified before the Joint Economic Committee that there is a great deal of uncertainty about the strength and speed of the nation’s recovery, with gradual expansion being the most likely economic scenario. She says that consumer spending is likely to grow modestly over the next few years because of weak income growth, higher saving and lower borrowing. Policymakers have options to bolster the recovery but they should be mindful of the long-run costs, particularly in terms of the budget deficit, she says.
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U.S. Economy, U.S. Economic Growth