Latest Research

Dire states—State and local budget relief needed

November 19, 2009

A new paper looks at how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has helped state and local governments so far, and why much more is needed now to prevent large budget shortfalls and higher unemployment in the next few years.

Getting Good Jobs to People of Color

November 12, 2009

America's people of color are less likely to have the sort of "good jobs" that pay decent wages and provide health care and retirement benefits.

Fast-Track Entitlements Commission is the Wrong Approach for Social Security

November 10, 2009

A proposed new budget commission with fast-track powers could open the door to cutbacks in Social Security and other social insurance programs.

6.1 job seekers per job opening in September

November 10, 2009

New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the ratio between job seekers and job openings improved slightly in September.

Fact Sheet: Double Digit Unemployment

November 6, 2009

More historical context and demographic detail on the U.S. job market and October's 10.2% unemployment rate.

Segregation and the subprime lending crisis

November 4, 2009

Research shows strong connection between racial segregation and high-risk lending.

Building a sound health care bill

October 30, 2009

A few important details of the legislation could determine the success -- or failure -- of the public insurance option, and reform in general.

Recovery Act fuels economy’s growth, but more action needed

October 29, 2009

A multitude of evidence makes clear that most of GDP's third quarter growth can be traced to the Recovery Act, and that the long-term health of the economy is going to depend on pushing forward—not pulling back—with even more stimulus measures.

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Analysis & Opinion

Teenage Jobs and Minimum Wage

November 25, 2009

Contrary to a popular argument, there is little evidence the recent minimum wage increase has contributed to declining teen employment. Read More

Hungry on Thanksgiving

November 24, 2009

American families have less abundance to celebrate this Thanksgiving: A record number are struggling to put food on the table. Read More

States in stress

November 23, 2009

Without additional budget relief, city and state shortfalls will force massive layoffs, a panel at EPI warns. Read More

Tracking the Money

November 19, 2009

In testimony to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, EPI Research and Policy Director John Irons said the Recovery Act is creating and saving jobs. "The true impact of the Recovery Act," Irons said, "will be far greater than the sum total of recipient reports." Read More

Progressive leaders warn of “social catastrophe”

November 17, 2009

EPI’s Spotlight on the Jobs Crisis highlights the widespread social and economic problems caused by several years of high unemployment and the need for more policy action to create jobs. Read More

An Urgent Call for Action to Stem the U.S. Jobs Crisis

November 16, 2009

A broad coalition including EPI, the AFL-CIO, Center for Community Change, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, NAACP and National Council of La Raza issues a statement on the need for more policy action to create jobs. Read More

The House Wins

November 13, 2009

An examination of the three competing health reform bills finds the House bill has the most sensible employer mandate. Read More

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EPI In The News

  • Arizona economy may be worse than Michigan’s Arizona Republic — Nov. 25, 2009 Read More
  • State tax collections in steep drop CNN — Nov. 24, 2009 Read More
  • Blacks hard hit by economy’s punch Washington Post — Nov. 24, 2009 Read More
  • With 16 million jobless, should the Feds pay people to work? Politics Daily — Nov. 20, 2009 Read More
  • State, local budget cuts a “time bomb” for jobs Reuters — Nov. 19, 2009 Read More
  • University of California student fees could increase by more than $2,500 Los Angeles Times — Nov. 18, 2009 Read More
  • NAACP prods Obama on job losses New York Times — Nov. 17, 2009 Read More
  • A recovery for some New York Times — Nov. 16, 2009 Read More
  • Job openings rise but hiring still weak CNN — Nov. 13, 2009 Read More
  • Free to lose New York Times — Nov. 13, 2009 Read More
  • See More EPI In The News

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State and local budget shortfalls will cause heavy drag on growth

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Without additional aid states face more layoffs. Read More

Unemployment up sharply despite GDP growth

November 6, 9:21am

Unemployment rose dramatically to 10.2% in October, the highest rate since March of 1983, and 190,000 payroll jobs were lost. This is in spite of the fact that the economy is now growing.
“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has stopped the free-fall, but the scale of economic decline has been so large that it has not been enough to prevent rising unemployment. Today’s unemployment numbers are a wake-up call. Our leaders need to authorize substantial additional spending for relief and job creation in order to prevent unemployment from remaining elevated for years to come,” said EPI economist Heidi Shierholz.
“Unemployment has now exceeded what some thought would be the peak. With such a huge fire we need every hose we can find to put it out,” said EPI’s president Lawrence Mishel. Archive

The State of Working America

The State of Working America

A comprehensive look at the U.S. labor market and trends in income and employment levels, wages, poverty and healthcare coverage for American families

Agenda for Shared Prosperity

Agenda for Shared Prosperity

EPI's initiative to revive the American economy

Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN)

Economic Analysis and Research Network

Improving workers' lives through state and local research and advocacy

The Broader, Bolder Approach to Education

The Broader, Bolder Approach to Education

Policies to overcome the link between social and economic status and achievement

Global Policy Network

Global Policy Network

A worldwide network of labor-friendly research institutions