Published in Biden Forum·Jan 16, 2019Some say the shutdown will cost $4 billion. It could be much more.As the record-long government shutdown reached its fourth week, the consequences of inaction continue to mount. Farmers can’t get loans, federal parks and museums aren’t open to tourists, and there is a real threat that critical services — from food stamps to tax refunds — won’t get processed. All told…Economics3 min readEconomics3 min read
Published in Biden Forum·Aug 29, 2018Congress will need to pass another tax bill. Here’s what it should do.Last December’s $1.5 trillion tax cut likely left many Americans with the impression that our tax code was settled for the time being. Then, the Trump administration recently called for a $100 billion capital gains tax cut through the indexing of investment gains. …Economics4 min readEconomics4 min read
Published in Biden Forum·Aug 1, 2018A stronger EITC to grow the middle classA slowly shrinking middle class has reignited efforts by policymakers to find new pathways to the middle class. To be sure, public education, a fair and competitive labor market, and a vibrant national infrastructure are key components. …Economics3 min readEconomics3 min read
Published in Biden Forum·Mar 14, 2018When it comes to college, state legislators refuse to pay it forwardAfter nearly a decade of recovery, most aspects of our economy have rebounded from the recession. Employment. The stock market. Housing prices. But one aspect of our economy has yet to bounce back: state funding for college education. In the depths of the recession, states slashed college funding to balance…Education3 min readEducation3 min read
Published in Biden Forum·Dec 6, 2017The Toil Index: Income inequality laid out in one eye-opening chartLast week, we launched the Biden Forum to start a conversation about the issues impacting the American middle class and ideas for how to address them. This week, we are further exploring the challenges facing American families. Life is expensive. Whether it’s rent or a mortgage, school tuition or childcare…Economics3 min readEconomics3 min read
