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Labor & Economic News Blog

Friday, May 29, 2009

EVENT: How Do We Close California's Education Gap?

EVENT: How Do We Close California's Education Gap?
June 3, 2009
7:30 p.m.

National Center for the Preservation of Democracy
111 N. Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA

Forty years ago, California´s higher education system was the envy of the nation, and the state ranked high among other states for its share of young adults who held a bachelor´s degree. But that proportion has declined sharply in the decades since. As for the future, new research by the Public Policy Institute of California indicates that by 2025, the state will fall nearly one million college graduates short of the number it needs to sustain its economy. There are additional pressures on the system as well, including demographic changes caused by baby boomer retirements and an increased number of immigrants in the population.

In this context, California needs to rethink and possibly adapt its long-heralded higher education vision. What prompted California´s fall from higher education excellence, and how can it be reversed? A panel of experts as well as higher education, community, and business leaders will discuss the future of higher learning in California.

This event is co-sponsored with Zócalo Public Square and is free of charge.

CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS
Moderator: Jim Newton, Editorial Pages Editor, Los Angeles Times
Camille Esch, California Education Program Director, New America Foundation
Hans Johnson, Associate Director of Research, PPIC
Michele Siqueiros, Executive Director, Campaign for College Opportunity

 

EVENT: Educating California: Preparing Our Future Workforce

EVENT: Educating California: Preparing Our Future Workforce
June 18, 2009
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Registration begins at 10:00 a.m.)

Sacramento Convention Center
1400 J Street, Rooms 202/203
Sacramento, CA

By 2025, 41 percent of the jobs in California will require a bachelor's degree - but only 35 percent of California adults will have one. This "skills gap" poses a serious threat to the state's economic future and to the quality of life of its residents. Closing the gap will require serious and sustained effort, even as the state navigates perilous economic and fiscal challenges. Bringing together leaders from education, government, business, and the nonprofit sector, this forum will explore ways to help state residents succeed in California's increasingly high‐skilled economy.

This event is co-sponsored by PPIC, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the California Research Bureau.

Lunch will be provided and there is no charge to attend. Registration by June 15 is requested.

PARTICIPANTS
Senator Gloria Romero
Assemblymember Michael Duvall
Roberta Achtenberg, Trustee, California State University
Mark Baldassare, President and CEO, PPIC
Kathryn Baron, Journalism and Policy Fellow, Chief Justice Earl Warren Institute on Race and Diversity
Hans Johnson, Associate Director of Research, PPIC
Loren Kaye, President, California Foundation for Commerce and Education
Jack Scott, Chancellor, California Community Colleges
Marshall (Mike) Smith, Senior Counselor, United States Department of Education
Mark Yudof, President, University of California

 

In a restructured GM, no new role for UAW

In a restructured GM, no new role for UAW
Workers at the Fairfax assembly plant this week approved concessions. Among the plant's production is the Chevrolet Malibu. ...

 

Key Players in the Overhaul of General Motors: UAW President Ron Gettelfinger...

Key Players in the Overhaul of General Motors: UAW President Ron Gettelfinger ...
Even as a lame-duck president, United Auto Workers union leader Ron Gettelfinger is showing surprising strength amid the greatest-ever ...

 

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Economic Development: The Local Perspective

Economic Development: The Local Perspective
Since Proposition 13 in 1978 restricted property tax income, California's local governments have increased their economic development activities, especially in the areas of land development and retail sales. Such measures have provoked criticism, but local officials say they have few alternatives. This paper presents a detailed survey of local economic development efforts, including policies and activities and assessments of local officials of their successes and failures. The results show that significant barriers to local economic activity exist, among them an inadequate state transportation infrastructure, high energy costs, and lack of an appropriately trained workforce.

 

General Motors Close to Bankruptcy

General Motors Close to Bankruptcy
Auto giant General Motors announced that it's seeking to file for bankruptcy, which could result in one of the biggest Chapter 11 filings in U.S. history. Martin Baily examines the possible outcomes of this action saying GM lost its edge in the increasingly global and competitive auto manufacturing business.

 

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

What about long-term care?

What about long-term care?
More than 250 million Americans-more than 80 percent of us- have health coverage, usually through employers or Medicare,Howard Gleckman points out in a USA Today commentary. By contrast, just 7 million have long-term care insurance. That, it seems, is the real crisis of the uninsured.

 

Honor Military Families with Adequate Health Care

Honor Military Families with Adequate Health Care
The VA is still operating as if all of its patients are young, childless, and male -- and veterans' families are paying the price.

 

Friday, May 22, 2009

44 states lost jobs in April, led by California

44 states lost jobs in April, led by California
Forty-four states lost jobs in April, led by California where employers slashed 63,700 positions, as the recession took a further toll on U.S. workers.

 

Thursday, May 21, 2009

A Detailed Picture of Intergenerational Transmission of Human Capital

A Detailed Picture of Intergenerational Transmission of Human Capital
Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, we consider how parental education relates to four outcomes in the children's generation: education, lifetime earnings, health, and wealth. By focusing on parents' and children's ranks, we characterize relative mobility in terms of distributions of outcomes and can see patterns that even a relatively disaggregated analysis, like a quintile-based transition matrix, can obscure. Our results show relatively high intergenerational mobility except at extremes, where very low-ranked parents are much more likely to have very low-ranked children and very high-ranked parents are much more likely to have very high-ranked children.

 

Organizing the Unemployed

Organizing the Unemployed
During past recessions, collective action among laid-off workers was common. Will this financial crisis foster a similar movement?

 

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Health Reform: The Cost of Failure

Health Reform: The Cost of Failure
This report uses the Health Insurance Policy Simulation Model (HIPSM) to quantify the intermediate and longer-term implications if Americas health care system is not significantly overhauled.Under a range of economic scenarios, the analysis shows an increasing strain on business owners and their employees over the next decade if reform is not enacted.There would be a dramatic decline in the number of people insured through employers, and millions more could become uninsured.There would be large growth in Medicaid/CHIP enrollment and spending,

 

Monday, May 18, 2009

Supporting a Healthier American Workplace

Supporting a Healthier American Workplace
Event 05/20/2009 - 9:00am
Join the New America Foundation's Workforce and Family Program, the American Psychological Association, and Workplace Flexibility 2010, for a briefing to highlight the interaction between work-life conflict and health outcomes. The event will explore the impact of work-life balance on the health of workers, their families, employers, and communities.

 

Post office has cut 25,000 jobs this year

Post office has cut 25,000 jobs this year
The U.S. Postal Service has cut its staff by 25,000 this year as it struggles to reduce massive deficits, Postmaster General John Potter said Monday.

 

Friday, May 15, 2009

Current Employment Statistics Latest Numbers

Current Employment Statistics Latest Numbers
By U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Change in Payroll Employment:-539,000(p) in Apr 2009Historical Data
Change in Average Hourly Earnings:+$0.01(p) in Apr 2009Historical Data
Change in Average Weekly Hours:unchanged in Apr 2009Historical Data
Change in Manufacturing Average Weekly Hours:+0.2(p) in Apr 2009Historical Data
Change in Aggregate Hours Index:-0.6(p) in Apr 2009Historical Data
Change in Real Earnings:+$0.01(p) in Apr 2009Historical Data
p- preliminary

 

Budget 2010: New Investments in Transforming America’s Schools and Workforce

Budget 2010: New Investments in Transforming America’s Schools and Workforce
The detailed FY 2010 federal budget reveals many elements of the administration’s strategy to achieve needed reforms in schooling and worker skills. Alan Berube analyzes the significant steps in the departments of Education and Labor budgets toward a national economic strategy that invests strategically in human capital to improve our collective prosperity.

 

The Future of the News Industry

The Future of the News Industry
Rising unemployment and a declining economy are placing enormous fiscal pressures on news organizations around the globe. On May 18, Time’s Karen Tumulty will moderate a discussion with Darrell West, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Michael Kinsley and others on how to “re-engineer” the traditional business model of the news industry and to improve media coverage of public affairs.

 

Social Security and Medicare Solvency

Social Security and Medicare Solvency
The latest report on the solvency of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds reveals that these entitlement programs will likely run out of money sooner than expected. Senior Fellow Henry Aaron assesses the future of these two programs.

 

Thursday, May 14, 2009

A New Goal for America’s High Schools: College Preparation for All

A New Goal for America’s High Schools: College Preparation for All
In this policy brief, a companion to the volume of The Future of Children devoted to high school reforms, Ron Haskins and James Kemple examine the steps high schools should take to help low-income students prepare for and succeed in college. Specifically, they argue, high schools should boost students’ subject matter knowledge and study skills and counsel students on how to select colleges and obtain financial aid.

 

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report [05/14/2009]
In the week ending May 9, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 637,000, an increase of 32,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 605,000. The 4-week moving average was 630,500, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised average of 624,500.

 

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

How Is the Financial Crisis Affecting Retirement Savings? : May 2009, Update

How Is the Financial Crisis Affecting Retirement Savings? : May 2009, Update
The stock market gained 35 percent between March 9, 2009 and May 5, 2009. For those who held on to their equities, these gains reversed some of the massive losses experienced since September 2007. This fact sheet examines the impact of the ongoing economic turmoil on older households and presents estimates of the retirement account losses to date.

 

Older Workers on the Move: Recareering in Later Life

Older Workers on the Move: Recareering in Later Life
Career change is common at older ages. This report shows that 27 percent of workers employed full time at age 51 to 55 change occupations by age 65 to 69. More than one-third of older job leavers separate because of job layoffs or health problems, including nearly half of those who did not complete high school. Workers who change careers typically move into jobs that pay less than their previous jobs and are less likely to offer pension and health benefits. However, new careers tend to offer more flexible employment arrangements, less stressful working conditions, and fewer managerial responsibilities.

 

Creating Value for Business and Society

Creating Value for Business and Society
The global financial crisis and the actions of a handful of individuals and companies have significantly eroded the public trust in corporations—in the United States and across the globe. Brookings and the Clinton Global Initiative hosted a discussion on corporate philanthropy and social responsibility in the midst of the economic downturn. The discussion featured former President William J. Clinton; Coca-Cola Chairman Muhtar Kent; Patricia A. Woertz, CEO and president of Archer Daniels Midland Company; and Kemal Derviş, vice president and director of Global Economy and Development at Brookings.

 

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Statement of U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis following Social Security and Medicare Board of Trustees meeting

Statement of U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis following Social Security and Medicare Board of Trustees meeting [05/12/2009]
U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis released a statement after today's Social Security and Medicare Board of Trustees meeting stating that today's report is a wake-up call and reminder of the importance to ensure that this social safety-net is available to all Americans and future generations.

 

Podcast: The New Social Security and Medicare Trustees' Reports

Podcast: The New Social Security and Medicare Trustees' Reports
The Social Security and Medicare Trustees' report on Medicare underscores the urgency of health care reforms to slow health care cost growth, starting with President Obama’s proposed Medicare reforms. The Trustees’ report shows Social Security doesn’t face an immediate crisis but does require changes, and the sooner they’re made, the better

 

Monday, May 11, 2009

Wisconsin Poverty Report

Wisconsin Poverty Report
In the first Wisconsin Poverty Report, Julia Isaacs and Timothy Smeeding examine poverty in Wisconsin and ask key questions, including: Where is poverty highest? How does Wisconsin poverty compare to that of its neighbors? Where is poverty growing—or receding in the state?

 

Stuck in the Middle: Is Fiscal Policy Failing the Middle Class?

Stuck in the Middle: Is Fiscal Policy Failing the Middle Class?
Event Information:
May 15, 2009, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
The economic well-being of the middle class can be crucial to the success of economic policies in both developed and developing countries. Yet many public policies are not aimed at the middle class. On May 15, Brookings will host a discussion on the need to assess how fiscal policy affects the middle class around the world.

 

Have Job Losses Peaked?

Have Job Losses Peaked?
Gary Burtless discusses the latest unemployment figures, saying that the job market is no longer in free fall. And, Burtless adds, the latest statistics on payroll employment and unemployment insurance claims may be giving us a hint that, while the economy is still shrinking, the pace of decline is slowing.

 

Friday, May 08, 2009

Obama aims to refocus unemployment system

Obama aims to refocus unemployment system
President Barack Obama wants unemployment insurance to become a stepping stone for future work by making it easier to enroll in school or job training. Whether he succeeds will depend on the willingness of states and colleges to change the rules

 

Labor Force Statistics Latest Numbers

Labor Force Statistics Latest Numbers
By U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Seasonally Adjusted
Unemployment Rate:8.9% in Apr 2009Historical Data
Change in Unemployment Level:+563,000 in Apr 2009Historical Data
Change in Employment Level:+120,000 in Apr 2009Historical Data
Change in Civilian Labor Force Level:+683,000 in Apr 2009Historical Data
Civilian Labor Force Participation Rate:65.8% in Apr 2009Historical Data
Employment-Population Ratio:59.9% in Apr 2009Historical Data
Annual Averages
Unemployment Rate:5.8% for 2008 Historical Data
Unemployment Level:8,924,000 for 2008 Historical Data
p- preliminary

 

The `underemployed' get by on fewer hours

The `underemployed' get by on fewer hours
Jody Taylor dodged the bullet twice in the past year when the industrial-coating factory where she works as a machine operator went through a series of layoffs. But her hours have been cut back to a four-day workweek.

 

Current Employment Statistics Latest Numbers

Current Employment Statistics Latest Numbers
By U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Change in Payroll Employment:-539,000(p) in Apr 2009Historical Data
Change in Average Hourly Earnings:+$0.01(p) in Apr 2009Historical Data
Change in Average Weekly Hours:unchanged in Apr 2009Historical Data
Change in Manufacturing Average Weekly Hours:+0.2(p) in Apr 2009Historical Data
Change in Aggregate Hours Index:-0.6(p) in Apr 2009Historical Data
Change in Real Earnings:+$0.03(p) in Mar 2009Historical Data
p- preliminary

 

Podcast: Discussing the April Employment Report and What it Means for the Economy

Podcast: Discussing the April Employment Report and What it Means for the Economy
"Today’s jobs report brings more sobering news about the depth and duration of the recession. Even if the economy hits bottom soon and begins growing again, it will take time to reverse the severe job losses and sharp increase in unemployment that have already occurred.... [I]t is important that as many states as possible take advantage of the incentive funding to modernize their [unemployment insurance] programs."

 

Statement by Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the April Employment Report

Statement by Chad Stone, Chief Economist, on the April Employment Report
Today’s jobs report brings more sobering news about the depth and duration of the recession. Even if the economy hits bottom soon and begins growing again, it will take time to reverse the severe job losses and sharp increase in unemployment that have already occurred.

 

Helping More Unemployed Workers Find Jobs and Build Skills

Helping More Unemployed Workers Find Jobs and Build Skills
On May 8, The Brookings Institution and the National Association of State Work Force Agencies hosted a discussion forum on a new paper, "Strengthening One-Stop Career Centers: Helping More Unemployed Workers Find Jobs and Build Skills." Jeffrey Kling made these remarks on Lou Jacobson's paper.

 

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Weekly Rise in New Jobless Claims Slows Down

Weekly Rise in New Jobless Claims Slows Down
The number of people receiving jobless benefits rose to yet another record, to 6.35 million, and the government reported that worker productivity inched higher.

 

Secretary Hilda L. Solis unveils DOL’s budget for fiscal year 2010

Secretary Hilda L. Solis unveils DOL’s budget for fiscal year 2010 [05/07/2009]
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today, through a national online discussion with stakeholder groups, the general public and the news media, will outline the president's fiscal year (FY) 2010 budget for the U.S. Department of Labor, which begins to restore worker protection programs and revitalize employment opportunities for the American workforce.

 

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Wells Fargo Pension plan frozen

Pension plan frozen
Wells Fargo & Co. told employees on Monday it will no longer contribute to their traditional pension plan, effectively cutting the total compensation of its workers less than two weeks after announcing record first-quarter profit.

 

Monday, May 04, 2009

A Brief Analysis of the Congressional Budget Plan

A Brief Analysis of the Congressional Budget Plan
The budget resolution Congress adopted last week for fiscal year 2010[1] largely reflects the proposals in the preliminary budget President Obama submitted to Congress in February. Under the budget resolution: Deficits will be very high by historical standards in the next several years but will decline substantially by 2014.

 

6 Globe unions have deal; none for largest union

6 Globe unions have deal; none for largest union
The Boston Globe and its largest employees union finished all-night talks without a deal Monday, but plan to be back at the bargaining table soon. Lifetime job guarantees are among the final sticking points on a deal that could avert a shutdown of the 137-year-old newspaper.

 

What to Look For In HUD's 2010 Budget for Low-Income Housing

What to Look For In HUD's 2010 Budget for Low-Income Housing
“We at HUD and in the Administration are fully committed to attacking the affordability gap in rental housing and ensuring that housing affordability is a long term priority.” — HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, speaking before the National Low Income Housing Coalition on April 21, 2009.

 

The Future of the News Industry

The Future of the News Industry
Event Information:
May 18, 2009, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Rising unemployment and a declining economy are placing enormous fiscal pressures on news organizations around the globe. On May 18, Brookings hosts a discussion on how to “re-engineer” the traditional business model of the news industry and to improve media coverage of public affairs.

 

Automatic : Changing the Way America Saves

Automatic : Changing the Way America Saves
New Book from Brookings June 2009
Automatic argues for a fresh approach to increase saving, simplify retirement planning, and help manage the risks associated with today's individual account environment.

 

Strengthening One-Stop Career Centers

Strengthening One-Stop Career Centers
Event Information:
May 08, 2009, 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM
One-stop career centers help millions of unemployed and disadvantaged workers each year find new jobs and opportunities for advancement. Unfortunately, such centers are hampered by poor accountability and a lack of adequate funding. Brookings and the National Association of State Work Force Agencies host a discussion on a paper that proposes a new approach.