EconomyCommentary
January Jobs Report Brings Good News, But Will It Last?
As far as the Bureau of Labor Statistics is concerned, the economy started 2015 with a bang. The agency’s January employment figures found strong growth… Read More
EconomyCommentary
What French McDonald’s Restaurants Tell Us About the Pros and Cons of a Minimum Wage Hike
President Obama said in a YouTube interview last month that he wanted to focus, during his last two years as president on helping people get… Read More
EconomyCommentary
How Much Did Extended Unemployment Insurance Increase Unemployment?
It is well-established in theory and practice that unemployment insurance increases unemployment. But by how much? A new working paper by well-known labor economists found… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Obama Ignored Entrepreneurship in State of the Union
In the State of the Union, President Obama talked about many of the priorities he has for the nation moving forward. But entrepreneurship, it seems,… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Fact Checking Obama’s Jobs Claims in State of the Union
President Obama talked at length about jobs, the minimum wage and salaries during his State of the Union speech. Here we look at some of… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Obama Is Likely to Trumpet the Unemployment Rate Tonight. What the Real Story Is.
In a video previewing his State of the Union address, President Obama touted recent jobs numbers. “Last year was the best job growth we had… Read More
EconomyNews
Florida Governor Looks to Poach Jobs From Pennsylvania
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is planning a trip to Philadelphia in February, and he’s hoping to lure some Pennsylvania businesses back south with him. His… Read More
EconomyCommentary
What the Media Missed About Obama’s New Proposal: It’s a Wage Cut for Workers
President Obama just urged Congress to cut workers’ wages. Of course, the news headlines did not report it as such. However, make no mistake: The… Read More
EconomyNews
Map Reveals Where Americans Moved in 2014 (Hint: It Wasn’t Ohio)
More families moved out of Ohio than moved into the state last year, according to reports from three of the nation’s largest moving companies. While… Read More
EconomyCommentary
December Employment Report Shows Job Growth Kept Pace With, Not Exceeded, Population Growth
The December employment reports’ headline figures show robust labor market growth. But the details of the report give less optimistic news. The economy continues to recover… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Young Workers Hurt Most by Minimum Wage Hikes
On New Year’s Day, the minimum wage increased in 20 states and the District of Columbia. This follows a year in which protesters hit the… Read More
EconomyCommentary
This TV Star Doesn’t Consider Herself a Feminist
Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting doesn’t consider herself a feminist. “The Big Bang Theory” star danced around the question in a new interview. “Is it bad if I… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Watch the 6 Best Ads of 2014
1. The ad that reminded you to thank the soldier in your life — and drink a beer. On Jan. 8, Army 1st Lt. Chuck… Read More
EconomyCommentary
The Most Outrageous Government Scam of 2014
For outrageous government scam of the year, it’s hard to compete with the news of the supersized public-employee pensions in California. If you haven’t already… Read More
EconomyCommentary
The Economy Just Had the Strongest Growth in a Quarter Since 2009
There is no doubt that the economy has languished in its recovery from the Great Recession, which ended more than five years ago. But signs are emerging… Read More
EconomyNews
Six-Figure State Economic Deal May Net ‘One New Job’ for Virginia County
KING GEORGE, Va. — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe boasts that his administration has closed a record 228 economic-development deals since the Democrat took office last January…. Read More
EconomyCommentary
Is the Number of States with Right-to-Work Laws About to Grow?
Eighteen-year-old Saira Blair recently made history as the youngest person elected to the West Virginia legislature. She may make history again as a lawmaker by securing passage of… Read More
EconomyCommentary
2% of American Workers Have Been Unemployed for At Least Six Months
Some economic indicators, including the short-term unemployment rate, have recovered to levels associated with “normal times.” But long-term unemployment remains high: Almost 2 percent of the labor… Read More
EconomyNews
Watch Robots Replace Waiters at This Restaurant
Next time you go out to eat, a new kind of waiter might serve you. One restaurant owner in China has replaced his traditional wait… Read More
EconomyCommentary
November Jobs Report Gives Insight into Why Most Americans Think the Economy Is Lousy
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ November employment report showed solid economic growth, but also provides clues about why many Americans report unhappiness with the economy. The… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Why I Don’t Mind Working Retail Thanksgiving Day
This year, as I have for the past eight years, I will be working on Thanksgiving Day. I work retail, and we have this thing… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Those Thanksgiving Sales Don’t Really Save You Much. So Why Are You Asking Me to Work?
Shopping on Black Friday is completely unnecessary. I’ll say it again: shopping on Black Friday is completely unnecessary. The deals you think you’re getting on… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Don’t Force People to Work on Thanksgiving. Shop the Sales Later.
No one needs to be able to buy a big-screen TV on Thanksgiving. That once seemed like a truth universally agreed upon. Sure, we kept… Read More
EconomyNews
How Many Permits Does It Take for One Company to Build a New Plant in Pennsylvania?
PITTSBURGH — News earlier this month that Shell Chemicals would buy an industrial site in Beaver County is a major step in the company’s plans… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Only 6 Out of 10 Americans Eligible to Work Are Actually Working
First, the good news. The economy is unmistakably regaining some of its mojo. We picked up another 214,000 jobs in October, according to the Labor… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Employment Numbers Improving, but Economic Recovery Still Sluggish
The Bureau of Labor Statistic’s October employment report showed solid economic growth, but it also shows why many Americans report unhappiness with the economy. The… Read More
EconomyNews
Will Burke Victory Mean a Higher Minimum Wage in Wisconsin? Not Necessarily.
MADISON, Wis. — If Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke defeats Republican Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday, she’ll owe tremendous thanks to a union group fighting… Read More
EconomyNews
New Jersey Has Therapists, Hawaii Has Tour Guides. Find Out the Unusually Popular Job in Your State.
What job is most heavily concentrated in your state? A new map from Business Insider uses the newly released May 2013 Occupational Employment Statistics to… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Why Have Average Hourly Earnings Increased Only 33 Cents in Recent Years?
By many measures the labor market is improving smartly. The unemployment rate dropped to 5.9 percent in September—not far from the level many economists consider… Read More
EconomyNews
Virginia Braces for Aftershocks from Wallops Rocket Explosion
The failed launch and fiery explosion at the Wallops Island spaceport could blow up Virginia’s projected financial windfall at the commercial site. The state invested… Read More
