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  Many parents feel they are dedicating so much of their paycheck to child care that it’s more valuable to stay with their child and ensure quality care, he adds. The average annual cost of child care for an infant in Virginia is more than $14,000, making Virginia the ninth most expensive state for child care in the country, according to a June report from the Economic Policy Institute.

  Virginia Business | November 30, 2023
• Faculty union files labor complaint against Pitt, alleging it is stalling contract talks

  Still, as the Washington D.C.-based Economic Policy Institute pointed out in May, winning a union election is one thing, but securing an initial contract is another.

  It pointed to a study published in the Industrial Relations Journal that found 63% of unions failed to reach a first contract within one year of winning their election. After two years, 43% had yet to do so.

  Pittsburgh Tribune-Review | November 30, 2023
• State lawmakers propose plan to decrease child care costs

  The federal government recommends families spend about 7% of their annual income on child care. In Minnesota, infant care costs about 21% of the median family income, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

  KSTP | November 30, 2023
• Lives upended by crises, mothers ask Globe Santa for help

  The average annual cost of infant care in Massachusetts is nearly $21,000, according to the Economic Policy Institute. That’s $1,743 a month, a staggering burden for a single mother, and the second-highest cost among the 50 states.

  Boston Globe | November 30, 2023
• Bill in Congress poses stronger penalties for child labor violations

  The Economic Policy Institute reported 10 states introduced or passed bills rolling back child labor protections in the last two years.

  Public News Service | November 30, 2023
• Hotel industry players challenge NLRB joint employer rule

  The Economic Policy Institute, a think tank centering on economic policy issues that affect low- and middle-income workers, sees it differently. The Trump-era rule, EPI said, resulted in “an annual transfer of $1.3 billion from workers to employers.” 

  EPI “strongly supports” the new NLRB ruling. 

  Legal Dive | November 30, 2023
• Opinion: The impact of school vouchers on public education

  When there is a teacher shortage, a district may respond by increasing class size, which decreases individualized attention. Unfortunately, vouchers would further exacerbate the teacher shortage by impeding the growth of future teachers. The Economic Policy Institute reported that private schools often hire uncertified teachers, causing a ripple effect that discourages young teachers from pursuing certification. 

  El Paso Matters | November 30, 2023

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