Topic: Jared Bernstein

Obama makes 'fiscal cliff' offer. Are contours of a deal emerging? (+video)

In fiscal cliff negotiations, President Obama is now proposing that tax hikes could begin with households earning $400,000, not the $250,000 that he has long called for.

How to survive in a tech-driven economy

Technological innovation has made the US economy more productive, but this new economy creates fewer jobs, and wages are suffering. Preparing workers for an era when productivity and employment are no longer linked will be the grand challenge of the next generation.

The Vote
Mitt Romney's 'poor' choice of words: Who's really struggling in America?

Mitt Romney was in damage-control mode Wednesday after the multimillionaire candidate said he's 'not concerned about the very poor.' He said he's concerned about those who are 'struggling.'

Piece by piece, will Obama's health-care reform law be dismantled?

The administration itself has abandoned a long-term health-care provision for seniors, and the Supreme Court will decide soon whether to take up the law. Critics see beginning of the end for Obama's health-care reforms.

The Daily Reckoning
The US dollar is still in demand

In a market where everything (including gold) is in decline, the dollar remains a safe bet

The Vote
Obama's 'don't call it a stimulus' economic development plan

The first part of an economic development program announced Monday by President Obama would bring $50 billion in infrastructure upgrades, but the term 'stimulus' has become associated with big government spending.

Vexed by BP oil spill, Obama aims to show better news on jobs

Ending a week dominated by the BP oil spill, President Obama goes to Columbus, Ohio, to defend his $787 stimulus package and tout its jobs-producing effect.

Tax VOX
Obama's stimulus did NOT raise government spending

Belt-tightening by state and local governments offset almost all of President Obama's stimulus spending, according to a recent study.

Obama's plan to help the middle class: how it might affect you

A tax credit here and an expanded program there are part of Obama's new plan to relieve financial stress on the middle class. Among the beneficiaries, if Congress goes along: families with children in child care, college students, and workers without employer-sponsored retirement programs.

Biden to unveil broadband expansion projects to boost jobs

Vice President Biden goes to Georgia Thursday to announce $182 million in stimulus grants for increasing broadband access to homes and businesses in 17 states. A total of $2.5 billion of stimulus money has been set aside for broadband projects.

Economic stimulus: which states have gained the most jobs

The White House says the economic stimulus accounts for 640,000 jobs. But the picture is mixed across the US.

The Vote
Surprise! Obama shows up at Sasha's parent-teacher conference

Here's where stimulus money is putting people to work

A first report card shows the federal Recovery Act money means hiring more electricians, carpenters, and others across the country. But it’s not necessarily in states with the highest unemployment rates.

How to cut unemployment: tax credit for employers who hire?

A tax credit to spur hiring can help trim unemployment, say experts, but comes with a heavy price tag. The revenue loss for a 1977 scheme was $5.7 billion.

ECONOMIC SCENE: Obama takes first step to redistribute wealth

Modest effort may still face still opposition in Congress.

For the Obama economic team, talk isn’t cheap

Obama budget: restoring income equality in the US?

Liberal economists see the $3.6 trillion proposal as a 'step in the right direction.'

Will Obama’s plans help the middle class?

Presidential policies aim to tackle average Americans’ widening insecurity.

Who advises candidates on economic crisis?

Both pick mainstream experts, but Obama’s are more interventionist.

Growth cheery, but economy glum

A disconnect: Pocketbook well-being has fallen behind productivity gains.

Poor see gains of 1990s reversed

Poverty has become more concentrated in the first half of this decade, says a report.

If inflation is up 3.9 percent, why does it feel worse?

One reason: Wages aren't keeping up with price rises.

Rich getting richer: Campaign issue?

Studies show that the rich are getting a lot richer, the poor a little poorer. The middle class is slipping.

What will steady shaky financial system?

Two keys: Stabilize home values while keeping Wall Street calm, analysts say.