Saying “there is no free lunch or road or bridge,” in paying to fix or improve the nation’s roads, bridges, subways, buses, airports and other infrastructure, the Economic Policy Institute is calling for raising the federal gas tax, retaining the key federal role and funding for such projects – and for keeping worker rights as part of the package. Those positions, laid out by EPI President Thea Lee at a March 7 House Transportation panel hearing, agree with those of transportation, building trades and other unions, but fly in the face of the anti-tax, anti-worker, anti-federal orthodoxy of Congress’s ruling Republicans. Lawmakers called two sessions on the GOP Trump administration’s $1.5 trillion 10-year infrastructure outline. Lee was the only witness the Democratic minority was allowed to invite.
Press Associates Union News
March 22, 2018
The President of AASHTO and a member of its board of directors testified this week at a hearing on Capitol Hill. In this Transportation TV News Brief on you’ll learn why AASHTO President John Schroer, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation and Michael Lewis, executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation were invited to speak before the Highways and Transit Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Also testifying Wednesday, March 7, were Chris Spear, President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, Ed Mortimer, executive director for transportation and infrastructure at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Ms. Thea Lee, president of the Economic Policy Institute. Watch this News Brief and use this link to watch the entire hearing.
Transportation TV
March 22, 2018
There are numerous new condos and townhomes under construction in Downtown Sarasota, but can everyone afford them? A new study by the Economic Policy Institute estimates it costs a family of four living in Sarasota and Manatee counties over $80,000 to live adequately, but modestly. (whole story)
ABC 7
March 22, 2018
Suncoast News Network
March 22, 2018
This comes from the just-released Economic Policy Institute’s 2018 update of its Family Budget Calculator. The calculator shows the cost of living for 10 family types in all of the nation’s 3,142 counties (and county equivalents) and 611 metro areas. But the income needed to acquire what the EPI calls an “adequate yet modest” life in Sarasota and Manatee counties doesn’t come anywhere near the average annual wage. That income in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metropolitan area is $41,870, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Herald Tribune
March 22, 2018
A recent study by the Economic Policy Institute estimates it takes $88,669 annually or $7,389 monthly for a family of four (two adults, two children) to live in El Dorado County. … Unfortunately wage growth has not kept up with the cost of living. According to the Economic Policy Institute, “Productivity has grown about 75 percent since 1973, while the compensation of the typical worker has grown only about 12 percent. “Since 1979, the hourly median wage has grown less than 10 percent in real dollars, or an average annual raise of barely 4 cents.”
Village Life
March 22, 2018
Bergen County is one of the most expensive places in live in New Jersey, information from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) shows. The EPI recently released its 2018 family budget calculator that estimates how costly it is to live in each of the United States’ 3,142 counties and 611 metro areas. The EPI estimates that a family of two adults and two children in Bergen County would need to earn $8,754 a month — or $105,042 annually — to live comfortably. (whole story)
Ramsey Patch
March 22, 2018
How much does it really cost for a family to live in Brick? According to the Economic Policy Institute, you’ll need a six-figure income to manage. The organization recently released its 2018 family budget calculator that estimates how costly it is to live in each of America’s 3,142 counties and 611 metro areas. The group estimates a family of two adults and two children in Ocean County would need to earn a combined $101,370 per year — or $8,447 a month — to live adequately. (whole story)
Brick Patch
March 22, 2018
Bucks County is one of the priciest places to live in Pennsylvania, according to the Economic Policy Institute. The organization recently released its 2018 family budget calculator that estimates how costly it is to live in each of America’s 3,142 counties and 611 metro areas. The group estimates a family of two adults and two children in Bucks County would need to earn a combined $99,846 per year — or $8,321 a month — to live comfortably. (whole story)
Bucks Patch
March 22, 2018
Chester County is one of the priciest places to live in Pennsylvania, according to the Economic Policy Institute. The organization recently released its 2018 family budget calculator that estimates how costly it is to live in each of America’s 3,142 counties and 611 metro areas. The group estimates a family of two adults and two children in Chester County would need to earn a combined $104,775 per year — or $8,731 a month — to live comfortably. (whole story)
Phoenixville Patch
March 22, 2018