Since 2021, lawmakers in 31 states have introduced bills that would weaken child labor protections, according to the Economic Policy Institute, a think tank that examines how policies affect low- and middle-income workers. This year, EPI tracked bills weakening child labor protections that passed in eight red states: Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma and West Virginia.
Bellevue Herald Leader
August 12, 2024
On average, contributions from federal agencies make up only about 8 percent of public school operating budgets. A 2022 report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) uses data to make the case for a school funding overhaul, arguing that Congress should be investing significantly more to ensure that US school districts are adequately and equitably resourced.
Jacobin
August 12, 2024
The nationwide bus driver shortage remains a persistent issue for districts across the country, according to a November 2023 study by the Economic Policy Institute.
According to the research, there was an approximately 15% overall reduction in bus drivers since 2019, with192,400 bus drivers working in K–12 schools in September 2023, and a 13.6% decline in state and local government school bus drivers.
Columbus Dispatch
August 12, 2024
The intention was also to address the wage inequality for women and racial minorities who were some of the lowest earners, according to the Economic Policy Institute, she said. And the Denver City Council chose to align annual increases with CPI “because what we know from federal research is that when you fail to keep up with the cost of living, wages erode over time. That’s a best practice nationally.”
The Colorado Sun
August 12, 2024
Many data analysts see the shortage as a nationwide trend. The Economic Policy Institute reported that 72.6% of public school bus drivers were age 50 and older, compared to just 37.5% of state and local government employees. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said the median age for school bus drivers in 2023 was 55.5.
Paducah Sun (KY)
August 12, 2024
Across the U.S., public sector unionization (e.g., police officers, teachers and postal workers) is higher than private sector unionization. Union density for public sector workers in Colorado is 24%, whereas in states like California, it’s 57% and in New York, 69%, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Rocky Mountain PBS
August 12, 2024
“Slowing job growth makes clear that the Fed has waited too long to cut interest rates,” a note from analysts at the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute stated.
Money Magazine
August 12, 2024
…for children. One of the most massive costs, according to the Economic Policy Institute, is child care. Offsetting that cost means, maybe,…[paywall]].
Forbes
August 8, 2024
HeyTutor analyzed data from the Economic Policy Institute to illustrate how teacher wages compare to other workers Teaching vacancies…[paywall].
Tulsa World
August 8, 2024