The volume of commerce crossing our borders has more than tripled in the last 25 years and United States freight shipments are expected to increase by 41 percent by 2040, placing a growing demand on America’s freight rail system and the 30 rail ports of entry (POEs) along our borders. As Congress considers border policies and solutions in the coming months, investment in border infrastructure to ensure our rail POEs can operate at full capacity is an important part of the conversation.
Since the inception of the program, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients have become vital employees in industries across the economy—88,900 work in food, leisure and related industries, 54,000 work in retail trade, 41,300 in construction, 40,700 in education, health, and social services, and thousands work in other industries spanning the economy. Revoking their protection and putting them at risk of deportation not only hurts them and their families, it also hurts the businesses and communities that have come to rely on them.
Jan 23 2018
January Economic Snapshot of the States
Although the U.S. economy overall continues its expansion following the Great Recession and associated financial crisis, the recovery can look very different from state to state. The lion’s share of economic gains are not only concentrated at the top of the income and wealth distribution, but also in a small share of regions. While some parts of the country have surged ahead, millions of Americans in urban and rural communities are still waiting for their wages to start rising again and struggling to make ends meet.
As millions of American consumers try to start the New Year on the right foot, the Trump administration is working hard to undermine the financial wellness of our nation’s consumers. The administration’s recent changes to the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau (CFPB), which is charged with protecting consumers against the predatory and abusive practices that helped to bring about the Great Recession, will only make it more difficult for consumers to safely take out a mortgage, pay off student loans, buy a new car, and much more.
New data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showing that natural disasters caused a record $306 billion in damage during 2017 underscores the need for immediate federal relief to Puerto Rico and other areas hit by disasters last year.
The vast majority—92 percent—of non-elderly, non-SSI Medicaid recipients are either working, ill or disabled, taking care of a home or family member, or going to school. The administration’s recent announcement that they will allow states to implement work requirements for Medicaid is attempting to solve a problem that does not exist. It would likely, however, result in many recipients losing their coverage because of difficulty complying with reporting requirements or other technicalities in the law.
During his first year in office, President Trump ignored the big problems, such as our nation’s crumbling infrastructure, failed to address national crises, including the opioid epidemic and Puerto Rico’s devastation following Hurricane Maria, and at every turn, acted to undermine recent gains in health insurance coverage. As we near the end of President Trump’s first year in office, below are 10 numbers that highlight the challenges ahead and which likely won’t be talked about by the administration:
Jan 12 2018
Medicaid Work Requirements Just Don't Work
The Trump administration announced yesterday that it is giving states the green light to implement work requirements on Medicaid beneficiaries. More than 10 states have already proposed some form of Medicaid work requirements. Not only do these work requirements fail to significantly boost long-term employment, they hurt the very people who Medicaid is designed to serve.
Expanding education opportunities and increasing quality are not only good for workers and their families, but are also good for communities and the economy as a whole. Investing in proven middle-skills pathways will enhance the skills of America’s workforce, boost U.S.competitiveness, and prepare a new generation of American workers for labor market success. By scaling up these programs, regional and local communities can effectively shape the workforce to meet the needs of employers while advancing opportunities for prosperity for workers.
Jan 11 2018
Consumer Corner: A Look at Rising Household Debt
Welcome to the first edition of Consumer Corner—a new blog series focused on consumer issues. In this post, we focus on household and consumer debt: what is it; how much is out there; who are the major regulators and interested parties?
