Paul Davidson of USA Today did a nice piece that summarizes the pros and cons of the major items that are being discussed to stimulate job creation.
Here is the link:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2009-12-09-jobsproposals09_ST_N.htm?csp=34&loc=interstitialskip
Friday, December 11, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Holiday Gift Ideas
In a few days, the holiday shopping season starts. Although the worst of the recession appears to be behind us, economists are worried that consumer spending will still be down.
Want to help stimulate the economy, spend time with your child, and reduce the chances that the financial crisis occurs in the future?
A long-term strategy receiving little attention is strengthening the economic literacy of our youth. One way to prevent a financial crisis from happening again is to better educate today's youth on economic principles, such as consumption, saving, and investment. Almost all states have economic content standards that begin in Kindergarten, but as parents, we must play a bigger role.
Prior to the financial crisis, parents and teachers had few well-known resources for identifying children's books that teach kids about the importance of saving and the importance of not living beyond one's means. For several years a little known "free" resource has existed at http://econkids.rutgers.edu/.
The concept behind the youth-oriented and user-friendly website is simple. Rutgers economics Professor Yana Rodgers and Williamsburg, VA K-5 reading specialist Shelby Hawthorne have developed a "living" catalog of children's literature that teaches a wide range of economic concepts that are linked to state curriculum standards. The site provides quick lesson ideas that are based on current research in economics and education.
Based on objective research criteria, you can click on an economics concept and obtain a list of the site's "Top Five" choices for acclaimed children's books that use enjoyable stories to teach economics.
The site encourages return visits. It profiles a new book each month, reviews new children's books and identifies their economic content. I am a labor economist , so one of my favorites is "Click Clack Moo," a wonderful story about some cows who go on strike because they want blankets and a duck, who serves as the arbitrator.
For sure, using http://econkids.rutgers.edu will not solve the credit card problems that many young adults have gotten themselves into. Nor will it solve the sub-prime lending mess that played a big role in dragging the economy into the worst recession since WWII. However, the site provides some neat stocking stuffer ideas for the holidays that will help your children become savvier and smarter consumers.
In short, you will be investing in your child's future and the nation's return to prosperity. If these economic rationales are not clear, then maybe you, too, will benefit as you read to your child.
Want to help stimulate the economy, spend time with your child, and reduce the chances that the financial crisis occurs in the future?
A long-term strategy receiving little attention is strengthening the economic literacy of our youth. One way to prevent a financial crisis from happening again is to better educate today's youth on economic principles, such as consumption, saving, and investment. Almost all states have economic content standards that begin in Kindergarten, but as parents, we must play a bigger role.
Prior to the financial crisis, parents and teachers had few well-known resources for identifying children's books that teach kids about the importance of saving and the importance of not living beyond one's means. For several years a little known "free" resource has existed at http://econkids.rutgers.edu/.
The concept behind the youth-oriented and user-friendly website is simple. Rutgers economics Professor Yana Rodgers and Williamsburg, VA K-5 reading specialist Shelby Hawthorne have developed a "living" catalog of children's literature that teaches a wide range of economic concepts that are linked to state curriculum standards. The site provides quick lesson ideas that are based on current research in economics and education.
Based on objective research criteria, you can click on an economics concept and obtain a list of the site's "Top Five" choices for acclaimed children's books that use enjoyable stories to teach economics.
The site encourages return visits. It profiles a new book each month, reviews new children's books and identifies their economic content. I am a labor economist , so one of my favorites is "Click Clack Moo," a wonderful story about some cows who go on strike because they want blankets and a duck, who serves as the arbitrator.
For sure, using http://econkids.rutgers.edu will not solve the credit card problems that many young adults have gotten themselves into. Nor will it solve the sub-prime lending mess that played a big role in dragging the economy into the worst recession since WWII. However, the site provides some neat stocking stuffer ideas for the holidays that will help your children become savvier and smarter consumers.
In short, you will be investing in your child's future and the nation's return to prosperity. If these economic rationales are not clear, then maybe you, too, will benefit as you read to your child.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
New Study on the Impact of 9-11 on the Employment and Earnings of U.S. Muslims
Former graduate student Faisal Rabby and I have completed a study that examines the impact that the 9-11 attacks had on the employment and earnings of U.S. Muslims.
Here is a summary:
Using a difference-in-differences framework and micro data from the Current Population Survey-Merged Outgoing Rotation Group Files (1999 to 2004), we estimate the impact that the 9-11 terrorists attacks had on the U.S. labor market outcomes of individuals with nativity profiles similar to the terrorists.
We find that 9-11 and the anti-terrorism measures were associated with a relative decrease in employment and hours worked of immigrants from Muslim-majority countries. The largest decreases were among the youngest immigrant men (ages 16 to 25) from the Middle East (excluding Israel), Iran and Afghanistan, whose demographic profiles are the closest to the terrorists. Most significant is the finding that even for the youngest men, the adverse impacts appear to be short lived. Many of the estimated losses dissipate by the end of 2004. The employment-population ratios and hours worked of older Muslim men experienced little deterioration.
Contact me if you want the full study.
Here is a summary:
Using a difference-in-differences framework and micro data from the Current Population Survey-Merged Outgoing Rotation Group Files (1999 to 2004), we estimate the impact that the 9-11 terrorists attacks had on the U.S. labor market outcomes of individuals with nativity profiles similar to the terrorists.
We find that 9-11 and the anti-terrorism measures were associated with a relative decrease in employment and hours worked of immigrants from Muslim-majority countries. The largest decreases were among the youngest immigrant men (ages 16 to 25) from the Middle East (excluding Israel), Iran and Afghanistan, whose demographic profiles are the closest to the terrorists. Most significant is the finding that even for the youngest men, the adverse impacts appear to be short lived. Many of the estimated losses dissipate by the end of 2004. The employment-population ratios and hours worked of older Muslim men experienced little deterioration.
Contact me if you want the full study.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Dear Friends:
I changed my username at Twitter. You can follow me there at https://twitter.com/wmrodgersIII.
Cheers,
Bill
I changed my username at Twitter. You can follow me there at https://twitter.com/wmrodgersIII.
Cheers,
Bill
Friday, July 17, 2009
Current Views on the Labor Market
Although I have not written for awhile, I have been very busy commenting on the labor market: recent segments include CNBC "Squawk Box", NBC Nightly News, CNN (TV and radio), Fox Business News and NBC's Meet the Press. Below is a summary of the themes developed and expressed over the past few months.
During the months prior to the July Jobs report (Numbers for June), many were beginning to discuss economic policy for the 4th quarter of this year and early in 2010. Why? Payroll numbers were improving. Job loss was still occuring, but the contractions were getting smaller. In fact, for July, the temporary help services sector was poised to show an increase. As a result, the policy conversation shifted to whether the $787 billion stimulus was going to ignite inflation.
Alas, the three months of improvement did not last. The July numbers threw everyone for a loop. Large and widespread job losses returned. In fact, a chorus for a new stimulus package emerged.
Their rationale, which is quite compelling is as follows:
1. 30% of the unemployed have been jobless for at least 27 weeks, breaking the record set several months after the 1981-82 recession.
2. Today, 49% of the unemployed have exhausted their regular benefits, a record too.
3. By September of this year, approximately 650,000 Americans will begin to exhuast their extended Unemployment Insurance Benefits.
4. The number of Americans utilizing food stamps is at a record high.
5. These trends will only worsen as unemployment is expected to rise during the balance of this year and into next year.
Budget hawks are countering the chorus for a new stimulus package. They cite safety net expenditures of $2 trillion for 2009, up 209 billion dollars from last year. Social conservatives raise the concern that if safety nets are made more "generous" (The average weekly UI Benefit is several hundred dollars), they will foster laziness.
We should always be concerned about costs and the unintended consequences of public policy, but let's have that conversation with a full understanding of how we got here today and the benefits of these programs.
The increased expenditures have the following origins:
1. One half of the 2009 increase is due to worthy increases that occurred during the Bush Administration.
2. Only 0ne-quarter of the expenditure growth is attributed to the recession.
3. The increases can be traced to the fact that Americans entered this recession in extremely vulnerable positions: high debt levels, employment rates that were little different than in 2001, and very low savings rates.
4. Over time, safety nets became more porous.
With respect to benefits, in the absence of these expenditures, poverty would rise and the middle class would further erode, having both short and long-term consequences for American families, and the stability of the nation.
One of the many lessons from today's recession is the importance of investing in Americans and providing much strong safety nets. As the auto tech in the PHRAM oil filter commercial said, "You can pay me now, or pay me later."
During the months prior to the July Jobs report (Numbers for June), many were beginning to discuss economic policy for the 4th quarter of this year and early in 2010. Why? Payroll numbers were improving. Job loss was still occuring, but the contractions were getting smaller. In fact, for July, the temporary help services sector was poised to show an increase. As a result, the policy conversation shifted to whether the $787 billion stimulus was going to ignite inflation.
Alas, the three months of improvement did not last. The July numbers threw everyone for a loop. Large and widespread job losses returned. In fact, a chorus for a new stimulus package emerged.
Their rationale, which is quite compelling is as follows:
1. 30% of the unemployed have been jobless for at least 27 weeks, breaking the record set several months after the 1981-82 recession.
2. Today, 49% of the unemployed have exhausted their regular benefits, a record too.
3. By September of this year, approximately 650,000 Americans will begin to exhuast their extended Unemployment Insurance Benefits.
4. The number of Americans utilizing food stamps is at a record high.
5. These trends will only worsen as unemployment is expected to rise during the balance of this year and into next year.
Budget hawks are countering the chorus for a new stimulus package. They cite safety net expenditures of $2 trillion for 2009, up 209 billion dollars from last year. Social conservatives raise the concern that if safety nets are made more "generous" (The average weekly UI Benefit is several hundred dollars), they will foster laziness.
We should always be concerned about costs and the unintended consequences of public policy, but let's have that conversation with a full understanding of how we got here today and the benefits of these programs.
The increased expenditures have the following origins:
1. One half of the 2009 increase is due to worthy increases that occurred during the Bush Administration.
2. Only 0ne-quarter of the expenditure growth is attributed to the recession.
3. The increases can be traced to the fact that Americans entered this recession in extremely vulnerable positions: high debt levels, employment rates that were little different than in 2001, and very low savings rates.
4. Over time, safety nets became more porous.
With respect to benefits, in the absence of these expenditures, poverty would rise and the middle class would further erode, having both short and long-term consequences for American families, and the stability of the nation.
One of the many lessons from today's recession is the importance of investing in Americans and providing much strong safety nets. As the auto tech in the PHRAM oil filter commercial said, "You can pay me now, or pay me later."
Joined Twitter
Dear Friends:
I just joined Twitter. You can follow me there at https://twitter.com/labpolicyprof.
Bill
I just joined Twitter. You can follow me there at https://twitter.com/labpolicyprof.
Bill
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Some quick commentary on NBC Nightly News: Where are the jobs?
Below is a link to an NBC Nightly News segment in which I appeared. There are jobs out there in all major industries; however, in many industries, the number of openings is one-third to one-half the level at the start of the recession.
The lower number of openings means that we have to really rely on personal networks. It means potentially having to relocate, increase the length of our commutes, accept an entry level job, and most likely search longer to uncover opportunties. While doing this, you might consider volunteering at your local United Way or favorite organization. It is a way to help those that may face even greater challenges than you or your friends, but also network at the same time.
The current labor market as a "bad" game of musical chairs. During the first part of the recession, the number of people that wanted to play the game increased, but the growth in the number of chairs (job openings) failed to to keep pace with new gamers. In recent months, the number of chairs (job openings) has been pulled from the game, representing layoffs.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#29763398
The lower number of openings means that we have to really rely on personal networks. It means potentially having to relocate, increase the length of our commutes, accept an entry level job, and most likely search longer to uncover opportunties. While doing this, you might consider volunteering at your local United Way or favorite organization. It is a way to help those that may face even greater challenges than you or your friends, but also network at the same time.
The current labor market as a "bad" game of musical chairs. During the first part of the recession, the number of people that wanted to play the game increased, but the growth in the number of chairs (job openings) failed to to keep pace with new gamers. In recent months, the number of chairs (job openings) has been pulled from the game, representing layoffs.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#29763398
Rodgers' CNBC Comments on February 2009 Employment Situation
Jobs Report: Rodgers' CNBC Reaction to the U.S. Employment Situation for February.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?play=1&video=1054344450
Jobs Report: Rodgers' CNBC Preview to the U.S. Employment Situation
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?play=1&video=1054328959
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?play=1&video=1054344450
Jobs Report: Rodgers' CNBC Preview to the U.S. Employment Situation
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?play=1&video=1054328959
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Jobs Report: Rodgers' Reaction to the Feb. 6th Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation on CNBC's Squawk Box
Here is the url for the Friday, February 6th, 8:30am segment on CNBC's Squawk Box. I give my response to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Situation for January.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1023932636
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1023932636
Jobs Report: Rodgers' Preliminary Thoughts on the Feb. 6th Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation Report
Here is the url for the Friday, February 6th, 8:00am segment on CNBC's Squawk Box. I give a preview of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Situation for January.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1023911939
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1023911939
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
