Occupational Licensing Stands in the Way of Recovery
In the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there were a record 10.9 million open jobs and 2.2 million more unfilled positions than people looking for work. With unemployment still high, returning more Americans to work continues to be a top priority for both the economic and social recovery...
Keep the Lights On: Fixing U.S. Power Issues Through Policy Reform
An improved system of power generation and transmission in the U.S. would prevent some outages, and also reduce the price of electricity to American families, businesses, and institutions through increased production and competition. This would make life for American families more affordable and mor...
A Time to Build: Unleashing the Construction Industry to Support American Families
The construction industry in the United States plays a critical role for workers, consumers, and savers. It is a robust source of well-paying jobs, especially for workers who otherwise might struggle for opportunity.
More Jobs Than Workers? Depends On Where You Live
The labor market is going through an unprecedented realignment. Job openings reached a series high of 9.2 million in May 2021, hires and quits are near record rates, and layoff rates are at a record low. At the same time, unemployment remains elevated and labor force participation is still depressed...
Government Intervention is the Wrong Way to Boost U.S. Competitiveness with China
Congress should address current challenges faced by U.S. manufacturers: tariffs on over $260 billion of imported goods used in American production, and growing regulatory burdens that prevent manufacturers from investing in productive expansions.
Anti-Work Requirements and a Post-COVID U.S.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scope and amount of unemployment insurance (UI) in the United States has been expanded substantially through federal legislation.
Utah's Post-COVID Economic and Social Recovery
Utah’s economy has been resilient throughout the pandemic, and post-pandemic, Utah’s economy continues to improve.
Social Capital Project Proposals Offer Alternative to Biden's American Families Plan
The Joint Economic Committee’s Social Capital Project has documented trends and proposed policy solutions to address many of the same cultural and economic forces that animate the Families Plan.
COVID-19 Joblessness, Gender, and Family Structure
The initial job losses of the COVID-19 pandemic were considerably greater for women than for men. The two most important and credible hypotheses to explain why job losses differed by gender include the industry mix hypothesis and the childcare hypothesis.
How Vaccinations Are Helping Return Americans to Work
Given the substantial economic and social benefits of employment, it is best that these 10 million jobs return as quickly as possible. COVID-19 is the greatest barrier to this return. Some employment activities, and the purchasing activities that help finance them, have been curbed by a combination ...
