Nearly a year after the passage of the Republican tax law, millions of Americans are still waiting for the wage gains that Republicans promised—another disappointment after more than three decades of slow middle class income growth. Nonpartisan analysis shows that temporary bumps to middle class paychecks will fade over time, eventually making these Americans worse off by 2027. The tax law has proven to be a missed opportunity, yielding little to no benefit to the middle class. Instead, it has padded the profits of corporations who are using the extra cash to buy back their own stock, with buybacks expected to surpass $1 trillion this year.

In a series called "Innovation Spotlight," Joint Economic Committee Democrats are highlighting cutting-edge policy solutions that empower small towns and rural communities across the nation. The latest edition looks at a brewery restoration project in Potosi, Wisconsin.

Public spending on transportation and water infrastructure as a share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has declined over the last several decades despite much needed investments across the country. When it comes to infrastructure investment, state and local governments have carried the burden for decades. In 2017, state and local governments accounted for nearly 78 percent of spending on transportation and water infrastructure. Increasing the federal government’s share should be a top priority, as federal infrastructure investment can create good jobs and increase economic activity.