Topic: Economic Policy Institute

One million workers get pay boost as 10 states adjust minimum wage

Nine states adjust minimum wage yearly to account for inflation and a tenth passed a new law raising minimum wage. Experts still debate minimum wage's impact on the economy.

Audits looking for undocumented immigrants on the rise

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has reported auditing more companies than ever before to look for undocumented workers on the payroll. Though President Obama has supported a path to legal status for many immigrants, he also supports penalties for companies that purposely hire illegal immigrants.

Will new right-to-work laws worsen the gender pay gap in Michigan?

Michigan already ranks among the worst states for gender pay equity. Critics of its new 'right-to-work' laws say they limit the power of unions, which historically have helped close wage gaps.

In right-to-work debate where's the evidence? (+video)

Neither supporters nor opponents of right-to-work legislation in Michigan have been able to prove right-to-work laws in other states have a significant impact on the economy.

Michigan to join 'right to work' states. A blow to unions?

Michigan is set to become the 24th state with a 'right to work' law prohibiting unions from collecting fees from nonunion workers. Data on such laws' economic impact are mixed.

Robert Reich
Fiscal cliff would hurt low-wage workers the most

Fiscal cliff drama in Washington coinciding with strikes and work stoppages among America’s lowest-paid workers, at Walmart and fast food restaurants, is no coincidence. If Congress goes over, these are the people who will feel the pinch. 

Energy Voices
Fossil-fuel makeover: 'Clean' and 'green' is as polluting as ever

Coal and oil companies are pouring millions of dollars to style themselves as clean and 'green.' But just because they say it doesn't make it true. 

Decoder Wire
Unemployment rate tampering? Why conspiracy theorists went wild.

Retired GE CEO Jack Welch saw Friday's jobs report, with its 7.8 percent unemployment rate, as 'unbelievable.' Others on the right piled on, suggesting Obama administration tampering. But the jobs number in question has been known to vary widely month to month.

Unemployed and overlooked: Labor force rate of participation down drastically

Since 2007, 4 million people have left the labor force, in many cases because they have given up looking for jobs. If these 'discouraged jobseekers' were counted in the jobless rate, August's numbers would have been 10.5 percent.

Obama vs. Romney 101: 5 ways they differ on jobs

Whether Mitt Romney or Barack Obama occupies the White House in January, one of them will have to deal with more than 12 million jobless Americans, or a little over 8 percent of the total workforce. Where do the candidates stand on issues relating to jobs?

Robert Reich
Romney/Ryan economic plan: Five reasons it's a disaster for America

Mitt Romney calls Paul Ryan's detailed budget plan 'marvelous,' and 'bold.' But it would boost unemployment, lower taxes on the wealthy, and slash infrastructure. Is that the kind  of boldness we need?

Stock market jumps at news that economy added 163,000 jobs in July

Wall Street reacts with glee to higher-then-expected job growth in July, led by the auto sector and restaurants. But for the millions of jobless, the key figure in Friday's report may be the unemployment rate, which ticked up to 8.3 percent.

With Indiana 'right to work' vote, a GOP thumb in the eye to unions

The Indiana House approved a 'right to work' bill late Tuesday, taking the state a giant step closer to ruling out mandatory dues for workers at union workplaces. Indiana would be the first 'right to work' state in the upper Midwest.

The hidden issue in South Carolina primary: labor union clout

Mitt Romney in particular has used the South Carolina primary to test anti-labor union policies as a campaign issue. His pitch to expand right-to-work laws could lead to Wisconsin redux. 

The Daily Reckoning
Economy: Why the 'good' news isn't

Global financial news has been good ever since the Fed decided to print more money. But consumers still aren't spending, and the new employment figures are hardly signs of real recovery

Unemployment rate falls to 8.5%; GOP still using jobs as battering ram (+video)

The US economy netted 200,000 new jobs in December, and the unemployment rate fell. Even as Democratic politicians hail the jobs report, Republicans say any number above 8 percent is unacceptable by now.

Minimum wage milestone: Why Washington State surpassed $9 an hour

Minimum wage laws raised the wage floor in eight states as of Jan. 1. Washington now tops all states, at $9.04 an hour. Economic effects of raising the minimum wage are in hot dispute.

For some making minimum wage, the new year holds modest promise

For middle-class workers, the new year could mean the loss of the payroll tax cut. But for workers far down the pay scale, a Jan. 1 rise in the minimum wage in eight states offers some hope.

EPA unveils 'historic' air pollution rules. Can power industry cope?

The EPA says its new rules to drastically reduce toxic air pollution will improve national health at a minimal cost. But the power industry says the rules could hurt the economy.

Eight ingredients for a peaceful society

What makes for a peaceful society? Hot spots from Congo to the Middle East would benefit from such knowledge. But so would the United States, which, at home, isn’t always so harmonious and abroad, is still at war in Afghanistan.

Michael Shank, vice president of the Institute for Economics and Peace’s US office gives his take on eight ingredients America needs to build a peaceful society.

Is the EPA really a 'jobs killer'?

For Republicans, the EPA ranks up there with the IRS as one of the most-reviled agencies in Washington, calling it a 'jobs killer.' The record of the Obama EPA, though, is more nuanced.

Trade deals: three big winners from America's new free-trade agreements

Trade deals passed by Congress Wednesday could be double-edged, but several economic sectors look set to gain the most from the trade deals with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama.

Why China 'trade war' bill is tying House Republicans in knots

House Republicans are blocking a vote on a bill to punish China for currency manipulation. Leaders say it could unleash a trade war, but many rank and file want to take China to task.

Senate slap of China a sign that patience is wearing thin on trade

With jobs at a premium in the US, senators from states hard-hit by job losses to Chinese manufacturing passed a bill to sanction China for manipulating its currency.

Senate hits China for 'cheating' to steal US jobs

The Senate voted Monday to advance a bill that would punish China for manipulating its currency to drive exports. If it became law, the bill would risk a trade war over US jobs.