Immigrant workers play an essential role in the American economy, helping to fill current labor shortages and further the country’s economic progress. At 17.4% of the workforce, immigrants strengthen the economy by working in high-demand industries and participating in the labor force at high rates. Immigrant workers’ contributions are further bolstered when they have access to union representation, which provides stable employment, higher earnings, better benefits, and safer workplaces to both immigrant and native-born workers alike. The United States can improve the lives of all workers by removing barriers that prevent both immigrant and non-immigrant workers from gaining union representation.
Jun 12 2023
Economic Update - June 12, 2023
Jun 09 2023
Climate Change Makes Air Quality Worse Across the Country, With Devastating Effects on our Health
Climate change is making air quality worse around the country and across the globe, which is directly making people sicker. Within the United States, one clear and visible cause of poor air quality are the more frequent, destructive, and longer-lasting wildfires that fill the air with harmful smoke, including particulate matter.
Since the 1980s, but especially in recent decades, western states have felt the increasing negative impacts of wildfires, as they burn for longer and with more frequency. The smoke that blanketed the eastern United States this week underscores that the impacts of climate change and the fires it exacerbates will be felt nationwide.
Since the 1980s, but especially in recent decades, western states have felt the increasing negative impacts of wildfires, as they burn for longer and with more frequency. The smoke that blanketed the eastern United States this week underscores that the impacts of climate change and the fires it exacerbates will be felt nationwide.
Carbon pollution not only impacts the climate but the health of communities. Ensuring we have clean air will improve lives and pay dividends for the U.S. economy. On May 11, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new carbon pollution standards for coal and natural gas-fired power plants, which will deliver up to $85 billion in climate and public health benefits over the next two decades. These standards will reduce carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants from new and existing power plants, helping the United States achieve its climate goals while ensuring that people can breathe clean air. Importantly, the EPA estimates that these updated rules will have little impact on families’ electricity bills.
Jun 05 2023
Economic Update - June 5, 2023
May 30 2023
Economic Update - May 30, 2023
May 30 2023
AANHPI Heritage Month: An Economic Snapshot
Members of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community have many different backgrounds and experiences and play a key and growing role in the U.S. economy. Data on these diverse communities show a complex picture of successes and challenges. But investing in more detailed public data sources could help to see our fellow Americans more clearly and help to address remaining barriers to equal participation in the economy.
May 22 2023
Economic Update - May 22, 2023
Each month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases national and state-level data on U.S. employment, which provide useful information about the state of the labor market and progress toward building a better America. See April's state jobs data here.