EconoFact Chats

EconoFact Chats regularly hosts a panel discussion with top economic journalists. Since the panel last met in March, the House passed the 'big, beautiful budget bill,' Moody's has downgraded U.S. debt, universities face stiff funding challenges, and tariff policy continues to be volatile. Binyamin Appelbaum (The New York Times), Scott Horsley (NPR), Larry Edelman (Boston Globe), and Heather Long (The Washington Post) discuss how policy uncertainty is playing out on the ground, what the proposed spending cuts could mean for lower and middle income Americans, and whether an increasingly uncertain fiscal picture could affect the willingness of foreign investors to keep financing U.S. debt.

Since the mid-1990s, the U.S. social safety net has been geared towards policies that encourage and reward work. While steady jobs and decent wages are the surest routes out of poverty, evidence shows that safety-net work requirements rarely translate into higher employment among beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP–formerly known as “food stamps”). Diane Schanzenbach joins EconoFact Chats to explain how stricter mandates often push people off SNAP without pulling them into the labor market, a dynamic that becomes more relevant as Congress weighs bills that would make continued SNAP and Medicaid benefits contingent on having or actively seeking work. Diane is the Margaret Walker Alexander Professor of Human Development and Social Policy at Northwestern University. She is also a member of the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine. She recently testified in front of the House Committee on Agriculture on the issue of increasing SNAP's mandatory work requirements.

This week, EconoFact Chats features an abridged version of the EconoFact Ask Me Anything Webinar held on April 22nd, featuring Maurice Obstfeld, former Chief Economist at the IMF, and a member of the Council of Economic Advisors. Maury answers questions on the role of international trade in the US economy, tariffs and their consequences, dollar weakness, and prospects for the U.S. and the global economy. EconoFact's monthly Ask Me Anything Webinars are exclusively available to our Premium Subscribers. The modest $50 annual fee for becoming a Premium Subscriber supports EconoFact and its efforts to bring timely, accessible, unbiased, and nonpartisan analyses on important economic and social policy issues to the public. You can sign-up for a Premium Subscription at https://secure.touchnet.net/C21525_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=157

Manufacturing employment has been declining as a share of total employment in the U.S. What's driving this decline? Does the reduction in manufacturing employment represent a natural progression as economies evolve? Can manufacturing jobs today offer a stable, well-paying means of employment for those without a college education? If not, what policies can help those without a college education find careers that offer a path to the middle class? Robert Lawrence joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these questions. Robert is the Albert L. Williams Professor of International Trade and Investment at the Harvard Kennedy School. He served as a member of the President's Council of Economic Advisors from 1998 to 2000. His latest book is 'Behind the Curve: Can Manufacturing Still Provide Inclusive Growth?'

About one in five Americans receive retirement, survivor, disability, or supplemental income Social Security benefits. These payments represent a vital financial safety net, especially for retirees who have had modest lifetime earnings. This importance of Social Security makes reducing its benefits the “third rail” of American politics. But its pay-as-you-go structure – where today's workers fund today's retirees – threatens its fiscal solvency as fertility rates fall and aging baby boomers exit the labor force. Is there a way to keep the safety-net solvent? What's at stake if Social Security reform is unaddressed? Gopi Shah Goda joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these issues. Gopi is the Director of the Retirement Security Project, the Alice M. Rivlin Chair in Economic Policy, and Senior Fellow in Economic Studies at The Brookings Institution. She served as a Senior Economist for the Council of Economic Advisors in 2021 to 2022.

The U.S. dollar is the most widely used currency in global commerce. Many commodities are priced in dollars. Much of world trade in goods and services, as well as in financial instruments, is denominated in dollars, even when U.S. residents are not party to either side of the transaction. U.S. Treasury bonds have been the world's safe-haven asset. Has the U.S. benefited from the dollar's role in international trade and finance? Is dollar dominance waning under current U.S. policies? If so, what are the likely consequences? Paul Blustein joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these issues. Paul is a Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He is the author of 'King Dollar: The Past and Future of the World's Dominant Currency.'

This EconoFact Chats episode is an abridged version of the EconoFact Ask Me Anything Webinar held on March 26th that featured John Campbell (Harvard), one of the leading authorities on finance and financial markets. John addressed questions on stock market performance, the links between financial markets and the broader economy, the need for consumer financial protection, and strategies for personal financial security. John's forthcoming book is 'Fixed: Why Personal Finance is Broken and How to Make it Work for Everyone.' EconoFact's monthly Ask Me Anything Webinars are exclusively available to our Premium Subscribers. The modest $50 annual fee for becoming a Premium Subscriber supports EconoFact and its efforts to bring timely, accessible, unbiased, and nonpartisan analyses on important economic and social policy issues to the public. You can sign-up for a Premium Subscription at https://secure.touchnet.net/C21525_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=157

United States Treasury bonds have long been viewed as a highly liquid investment with very little risk of default. They have served as a safe haven for investors and also provided a benchmark interest rate for mortgages, car loans, corporate debt, and other bonds. Typically, Treasury bond yields fall at times of financial stress as demand for Treasury securities rise. But this time is different. Bond prices have fallen and yields have risen in the wake of the policy volatility of the past month. Jeremy Stein joins EconoFact Chats to discuss the reasons for the increase in interest rates, its possible consequences, and policies to calm the bond market. Jeremy is the Moise Y. Safra Professor of Economics at Harvard University. Previously, he served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. He was also an advisor to the Treasury Secretary during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.

US federal debt is currently almost as large as annual national income, something not seen before the pandemic. Expenditures like interest payments on the debt, military spending, and Social Security cannot be easily trimmed, and the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs act are likely to be extended, adding an estimated $5 trillion to the debt over the next decade. What are the likely consequences for the economy of rising debt? And how will this affect people's retirement, especially if there are cuts to Social Security? Wendy Edelberg and Ben Harris join EconoFact Chats to discuss these issues. Wendy is the director of the Hamilton Project and a Senior Fellow in Economic Studies at The Brookings Institution. She previously served as Chief Economist at the Congressional Budget Office. Ben is the Vice President and Director of Economic Studies at Brookings. He was Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy and Chief Economist at the Treasury Department in the Biden administration.

President Trump inherited an economy that was, at least in the aggregate, performing exceptionally well. Since taking office, however, the stock market has fallen, and there are heightened expectations of a slowdown due to the policies, and uncertainty from the shifts in policies, of the new Administration. Are these concerns well-founded? Or will tariffs, cuts to government jobs, and deregulation help usher in a stronger economy? Mark Zandi considers these issues on EconoFact Chats. Mark is Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics. He serves on the board of directors of MGIC, the nation's largest private mortgage insurance company, and is the lead director of Reinvestment Fund, one of the nation's largest community development financial institutions.

Labeled by The Economist as 'the envy of the world' in October 2024, the US economy today is marked by growing fears of a recession amid aggressive tariffs, threats of tariffs, deregulation, and drastic employment cuts across the federal government. Despite the short-term pain, could the Trump administration's policies make the US economy stronger and more productive over the long run? Or is lasting turbulence, lower productivity and economic stagnation a more likely outcome? Heather Long (Washington Post), Greg Ip (Wall Street Journal), Scott Horsley (NPR), and Binyamin Appelbaum (New York Times) join EconoFact Chats to discuss these issues.

Erica Groshen, former Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses the acronym AORTA to characterize good data; Accurate, Objective, Relevant, Trustworthy, and Accessible. This is apt since good data are the lifeblood of economic decision-making. But what happens if statistics are compromised by reduced staffing and resources, or by politically motivated manipulation? Erica joins EconoFact Chats to discuss the history and the role of the BLS, the importance of good data for decision-making by government, businesses, and families, and her concerns about political interference degrading the integrity of government statistics. Erica served as the Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2013 to 2017. She is currently Senior Economics Advisor at the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and a Research Fellow at the Upjohn Institute.

In his 2012 book, 'A Capitalism for the People,' Luigi Zingales notes the deep economic problems that arise when people are rewarded for who you know, or even, who you pay off, rather than what you know, or your ability to produce and sell better goods and services. What are the broader consequences of this type of corruption that distorts outcomes like who gets a job, what is purchased, and what attributes determine economic success? What impact does corruption have on public trust in institutions? What can one do when norms that had protected market-based outcomes break down or prove insufficient? And what do the answers to these questions tell us about present circumstances? Luigi joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these issues. Luigi is the Robert C. McCormack Distinguished Service Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance at the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. He is also the Director at U. Chicago's Stigler Center.

The United States is an outlier in health insurance coverage. Almost all other high-income countries have near-universal coverage, while almost 10% of the non-elderly US population is uninsured. How did this come to be? And what can policymakers do to improve access to health insurance? Mark Shepard joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these questions. Mark is an associate professor at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and a faculty research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, improvements in large language models have continued at an impressive clip, driving a surge of investment in new models, developing new products based on them, and in constructing data centres and other infrastructure needed to run AI models. What will the economic landscape look like as artificial intelligence becomes more pervasive? What are the production, technological, and geo-political challenges facing artificial intelligence development? And will the technology live up to its promise of making life better? Chris Miller joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these issues. Chris is an Associate Professor of International History at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. He is also the author of 'Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology,' which won the Financial Times Book of the Year Award in 2022.

High intensity flooding events, storms, wildfires, and droughts are becoming more frequent in many parts of the world. Are there measures that can help mitigate the number and severity of these events? What adaptations could make fires, storms, and floods less destructive? And is there a greater role for the government and the private sector when it comes to catastrophic risk insurance? Galina Hale joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these questions. Galina is a Professor of Economics at UC Santa Cruz. She previously served as a Research Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

Much like national economies, countries that economically interact with each other need rules to help ensure markets work well, and that economic outcomes accord with some understanding of fairness and equity. While such rules can constrain what a country does, for much of the post-war era, nations have recognized the benefits of international cooperation and the importance of a stable set of rules. Yet, as populism and disdain towards globalization grows, global governance will likely retreat in scope. Could a more circumscribed understanding of global governance help domestic economies do better than if they faced no constraints from global governance rules? Dani Rodrik joins EconoFact Chats to discuss. Dani is the Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

The basic principles of economics are not only worthwhile reading for students, but for the wider public, and perhaps especially, for those involved in policy. Greg Mankiw, the author of best-selling textbooks for Macroeconomics and Principles of Economics joins EconoFact Chats to highlight how a wider understanding of economic principles such as trade-offs, opportunity costs, how people respond to incentives, the benefits of trade, and others can lead to better policy outcomes. Greg is the Robert M. Beren Professor of Economics at Harvard University.  A leading researcher in macroeconomics, he has held numerous high-level policy positions, most notably serving as the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors in the George W. Bush administration.

President-elect Trump's campaign promises included imposing broad tariffs to bolster U.S. manufacturing jobs, pursuing mass deportations to free jobs for U.S. citizens and ease the housing crunch, and assuming a greater role in setting monetary policy. How likely is it that these policies will be enacted and, if so, what would be their possible consequences? Binyamin Appelbaum of The New York Times, Scott Horsley of NPR, Greg Ip of The Wall Street Journal, and Heather Long of The Washington Post join EconoFact Chats to discuss the feasibility and probable outcomes of the President-elect's stated economic plans.

Home insurance has traditionally protected people from catastrophic losses of what is, for many, their most valuable asset. But climate change has contributed to the increasing frequency and severity of destructive weather events and wildfires. Widespread losses stress the solvency of insurance markets while higher premiums contribute to lower rates of coverage. The challenges facing home insurance markets has adverse implications for real estate markets, mortgage providers, people hoping to afford a house, and government programs that provide insurance. David Marlett discusses the sources and consequences of these challenges and strategies for better risk management. David is a Professor of Risk Management at Appalachian State University.

The share of Americans working a full day from home rose from 7% in 2019 to 60% in the immediate wake of COVID in 2020. This share has now fallen to 25%, still well above its pre-COVID rate. What have the last four years revealed about the effects of working from home on productivity? Are employers right in worrying about shirking? What do employees like, and dislike, about remote work? Do they now prefer working from home, returning to their offices, or some hybrid combination of the two? Nick Bloom answers these questions and discusses how a new configuration of work location choice could best serve the interests of companies and their employees in this EconoFact Chats episode. A co-founder at the Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes, Nick is a Professor of Economics at Stanford University, and co-Director of the Productivity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship program at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Does the outcome of the 2024 election suggest a realignment of traditional voting patterns? Early data points to continuity along some dimensions, such as an expected anti-incumbency vote against Democrats. But there were also notable shifts among certain groups. For example, young people, who had largely tilted towards Democrats in recent election cycles, swung by more than 20 points towards Republicans. This shift was even more pronounced among young men of color with lower levels of education. David Lazer joins EconoFact Chats to discuss this, and other notable shifts in voting patterns in the 2024 election, and the likelihood that these changes will persist. David is a University Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Computer Sciences at Northeastern University. He is the director of Northeastern's Internet and Democracy Initiative, co-directs the Civic Healthy Institutions Project.

New technologies often result in significant change. Perhaps the most salient effect of automation has been labor displacement. At the beginning of the 20th century, agricultural employment gave way to more productive, and higher paying, manufacturing jobs. The growing middle class generated demand for new products and new industries. But more recent technological changes have shrunk manufacturing jobs with workers moving to lower-paying service employment. Even more recently, Artificial Intelligence may displace workers who are at the higher end of the income distribution. Eduardo Porter joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these issues, as well as cryptocurrencies. Eduardo is a columnist for The Washington Post where he is also a member of its editorial board. He has formerly written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg.

New technologies often result in significant change. Perhaps the most salient effect of automation has been labor displacement. At the beginning of the 20th century, agricultural employment gave way to more productive, and higher paying, manufacturing jobs. The growing middle class generated demand for new products and new industries. But more recent technological changes have shrunk manufacturing jobs with workers moving to lower-paying service employment. Even more recently, Artificial Intelligence may displace workers who are at the higher end of the income distribution. Eduardo Porter joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these issues, as well as cryptocurrencies. Eduardo is a columnist for The Washington Post where he is also a member of its editorial board. He has formerly written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg.

Japan's economy was seen as something of a juggernaut in the post World War II era, with growth averaging about 10% during the 1950s and 60s. Yet, in subsequent decades, with a stock market crash, and the bursting of a real estate bubble, Japan entered a period of stagnation and deflation, from which it is only now emerging. What drove Japan's rapid post-war growth? Why did growth stall, and reverse? And are there lessons from the Japanese experience relevant to the U.S. economy today? Paul Sheard joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these questions. Paul has been a Professor at Osaka University and a visiting scholar at the Bank of Japan, and at Stanford University. He was also Japan's strategist for Baring Asset Management, and has held chief economist positions at Lehman Brothers, Nomura Securities, and Standard & Poor's.

Japan's economy was seen as something of a juggernaut in the post World War II era, with growth averaging about 10% during the 1950s and 60s. Yet, in subsequent decades, with a stock market crash, and the bursting of a real estate bubble, Japan entered a period of stagnation and deflation, from which it is only now emerging. What drove Japan's rapid post-war growth? Why did growth stall, and reverse? And are there lessons from the Japanese experience relevant to the U.S. economy today? Paul Sheard joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these questions. Paul has been a Professor at Osaka University and a visiting scholar at the Bank of Japan, and at Stanford University. He was also Japan's strategist for Baring Asset Management, and has held chief economist positions at Lehman Brothers, Nomura Securities, and Standard & Poor's.

Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics, points out that the American economy is currently the envy of the world. The outcome of the Presidential election could change the course of the economy since the two candidates have put forward very different policies. One key difference is the size and scope of tariffs. High and broad-based tariffs would raise prices which would have knock-on effects on monetary policy, growth, and government deficits. Another difference is the promise of large-scale deportations. This would adversely affect the number of workers available for many industries – for example, a shortfall in construction workers would contribute to higher housing prices. Overall, the candidates' policies reflect very different orientations, and quite distinct views of the economy. Mark joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these differences, and their implications.

Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics, points out that the American economy is currently the envy of the world. The outcome of the Presidential election could change the course of the economy since the two candidates have put forward very different policies. One key difference is the size and scope of tariffs. High and broad-based tariffs would raise prices which would have knock-on effects on monetary policy, growth, and government deficits. Another difference is the promise of large-scale deportations. This would adversely affect the number of workers available for many industries – for example, a shortfall in construction workers would contribute to higher housing prices. Overall, the candidates' policies reflect very different orientations, and quite distinct views of the economy. Mark joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these differences, and their implications.

Immigration policy has been called “the third rail” of American politics, with intense feelings on both sides of the issue. In this charged environment, it is important to know the facts about immigration, especially as they relate to economic outcomes. Consultants at Analysis Group, an economic consulting firm headquartered in Boston, published an extensive study of the economic impact of immigration in the United States in September 2024. Two of the co-authors of that report, Jee-Yeon K. Lehmann and Yao Lu, join EconoFact Chats to discuss their findings, highlighting the effects of immigration on wages, jobs, housing, innovation, and productivity. Jee-Yeon K. Lehmann is a Managing Principal, and Yao Lu is a Vice President at The Analysis Group.

Immigration policy has been called “the third rail” of American politics, with intense feelings on both sides of the issue. In this charged environment, it is important to know the facts about immigration, especially as they relate to economic outcomes. Consultants at Analysis Group, an economic consulting firm headquartered in Boston, published an extensive study of the economic impact of immigration in the United States in September 2024. Two of the co-authors of that report, Jee-Yeon K. Lehmann and Yao Lu, join EconoFact Chats to discuss their findings, highlighting the effects of immigration on wages, jobs, housing, innovation, and productivity. Jee-Yeon K. Lehmann is a Managing Principal, and Yao Lu is a Vice President at The Analysis Group.

Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. fell by 12.7% between May 2023 and 2024. As the Office of National Drug Control Policy notes, this marks the largest recorded reduction in overdose deaths. It also marks six consecutive months of reported decreases. What has driven the recent declines? Which policies and interventions have proven particularly effective? And what work still needs to be done where overdose death rates are still rising? Alicia Sasser Modestino joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these issues. Alicia is an Associate Professor of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, and Economics at Northeastern University, where she also serves as Research Director of the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy.

Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. fell by 12.7% between May 2023 and 2024. As the Office of National Drug Control Policy notes, this marks the largest recorded reduction in overdose deaths. It also marks six consecutive months of reported decreases. What has driven the recent declines? Which policies and interventions have proven particularly effective? And what work still needs to be done where overdose death rates are still rising? Alicia Sasser Modestino joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these issues. Alicia is an Associate Professor of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, and Economics at Northeastern University, where she also serves as Research Director of the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy.

Both presidential candidates have supported tariffs, albeit at very different levels. Can tariffs bring back manufacturing jobs, reduce the trade deficit, and provide substantial revenues? Responding to a recent article in The Atlantic, Maurice Obstfeld and Kim Clausing highlight that steep, across the board tariffs, like those candidate Trump proposes, will prove costly to US consumers and producers, are unlikely to revive manufacturing, will have little effect on the trade deficit, will generate minimal revenues, will raise the prices, and will invite retaliation. Maury joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these points, as well as to suggest other policies to achieve the goals that populists argue tariffs would realize. Maury is a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, and an Emeritus Professor of Economics at UC Berkeley. He served as a member of President Obama's Council of Economic Advisers, and as Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund.

Both presidential candidates have supported tariffs, albeit at very different levels. Can tariffs bring back manufacturing jobs, reduce the trade deficit, and provide substantial revenues? Responding to a recent article in The Atlantic, Maurice Obstfeld and Kim Clausing highlight that steep, across the board tariffs, like those candidate Trump proposes, will prove costly to US consumers and producers, are unlikely to revive manufacturing, will have little effect on the trade deficit, will generate minimal revenues, will raise the prices, and will invite retaliation. Maury joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these points, as well as to suggest other policies to achieve the goals that populists argue tariffs would realize. Maury is a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, and an Emeritus Professor of Economics at UC Berkeley. He served as a member of President Obama's Council of Economic Advisers, and as Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund.

Most of the United States' population growth is now due to immigration. Among these is an estimated 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants have been deported both through enforcement at the border and by being removed from within the United States. Recently, former President Trump has called for mass deportation of millions of people. How realistic is this goal? What would be the economic consequences of deporting even a fraction of the large number of people that Trump has called for? Does the threat of deportation have a chilling effect on those in this country legally? How would it affect communities that include both the undocumented and legal residents? Tara Watson joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these questions. Tara is the Director of the Center for Economic Security and Opportunity at Brookings. Her most recent book is 'The Border Within: The Economics of Immigration in an Age of Fear,' co-authored with Kalee Thompson.

Most of the United States' population growth is now due to immigration. Among these is an estimated 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants have been deported both through enforcement at the border and by being removed from within the United States. Recently, former President Trump has called for mass deportation of millions of people. How realistic is this goal? What would be the economic consequences of deporting even a fraction of the large number of people that Trump has called for? Does the threat of deportation have a chilling effect on those in this country legally? How would it affect communities that include both the undocumented and legal residents? Tara Watson joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these questions. Tara is the Director of the Center for Economic Security and Opportunity at Brookings. Her most recent book is 'The Border Within: The Economics of Immigration in an Age of Fear,' co-authored with Kalee Thompson.

The economy often figures as a major topic of debate in the lead-up to elections. This election cycle is no exception. While both Presidential candidates have frequently discussed recent economic developments including inflation, trade, tariffs, infrastructure spending, and industrial policy, what economic policies are they likely to try implement if elected? And what impact could those policies have? Binyamin Applebaum of the New York Times, Scott Horsley of NPR, Greg Ip of the Wall Street Journal, and Heather Long of the Washington Post join EconoFact Chats to discuss.

The economy often figures as a major topic of debate in the lead-up to elections. This election cycle is no exception. While both Presidential candidates have frequently discussed recent economic developments including inflation, trade, tariffs, infrastructure spending, and industrial policy, what economic policies are they likely to try implement if elected? And what impact could those policies have? Binyamin Applebaum of the New York Times, Scott Horsley of NPR, Greg Ip of the Wall Street Journal, and Heather Long of the Washington Post join EconoFact Chats to discuss.

The 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act was among the most sweeping realignments of the U.S. tax code in over three decades. It lowered tax rates, simplified taxes, raised the government debt, and was regressive, benefitting people who are well off more than the middle-class and the poor. But many of the Act's provisions are set to expire at the end of 2025 unless action is taken to preserve them. What would the expiration, or the continuation, of these provisions mean for people's tax burdens, government debt, and the performance of the American economy? Bill Gale joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these questions. Bill is an economist at the Brookings Institution, and is co-director of The Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. His most recent book is 'Fiscal Therapy: Curing America's Debt Addiction and Investing in the Future.'

The 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act was among the most sweeping realignments of the U.S. tax code in over three decades. It lowered tax rates, simplified taxes, raised the government debt, and was regressive, benefitting people who are well off more than the middle-class and the poor. But many of the Act's provisions are set to expire at the end of 2025 unless action is taken to preserve them. What would the expiration, or the continuation, of these provisions mean for people's tax burdens, government debt, and the performance of the American economy? Bill Gale joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these questions. Bill is an economist at the Brookings Institution, and is co-director of The Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. His most recent book is 'Fiscal Therapy: Curing America's Debt Addiction and Investing in the Future.'

Economies have been subjected to profound disruptions from technological change in the past -- from the adoption of weaving machines in the 19th century, to the mechanization of agriculture, and the use of robotics in manufacturing. Yet, these disruptions very often led to a broad increase in societal wealth, and the creation of entirely new occupations. Will generative AI both disrupt and benefit economies? Michael Strain joins EconoFact Chats to make a case for AI optimism, highlighting how America's experiences with technology-driven disruption have proved a net benefit historically. Mike is the Director of Economic Policy Studies, and the Arthur F. Burns Scholar in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute. He is also a member of EconoFact's board of advisors.

Economies have been subjected to profound disruptions from technological change in the past -- from the adoption of weaving machines in the 19th century, to the mechanization of agriculture, and the use of robotics in manufacturing. Yet, these disruptions very often led to a broad increase in societal wealth, and the creation of entirely new occupations. Will generative AI both disrupt and benefit economies? Michael Strain joins EconoFact Chats to make a case for AI optimism, highlighting how America's experiences with technology-driven disruption have proved a net benefit historically. Mike is the Director of Economic Policy Studies, and the Arthur F. Burns Scholar in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute. He is also a member of EconoFact's board of advisors.

Charitable giving in the United States as a percentage of national income, about 2%, is significantly higher than the comparable percentage in other rich countries. How do people decide which causes to support? One approach is “effective altruism” which focuses on what's important (primarily saving lives, no matter where), what's effective but neglected (saving lives in extremely poor countries), and what's tractable (by being able to quantify the efficacy of charity). Jonathan Meer joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these tenets, the assumptions behind them, whether charity can, and should, replace the role of government assistance, and offers some critiques of effective altruism as a way to make the world a better place. Jonathan is a Professor of Economics at Texas A&M University.

Charitable giving in the United States as a percentage of national income, about 2%, is significantly higher than the comparable percentage in other rich countries. How do people decide which causes to support? One approach is “effective altruism” which focuses on what's important (primarily saving lives, no matter where), what's effective but neglected (saving lives in extremely poor countries), and what's tractable (by being able to quantify the efficacy of charity). Jonathan Meer joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these tenets, the assumptions behind them, whether charity can, and should, replace the role of government assistance, and offers some critiques of effective altruism as a way to make the world a better place. Jonathan is a Professor of Economics at Texas A&M University.

Presidential candidates promise economic prosperity. Yet views on how to achieve economic prosperity can diverge significantly — as they do between the policies of President Biden, which are likely to be largely adopted by the new Democratic nominee, and those of Presidential Candidate Trump. Will their proposed policies on taxes, immigration, tariffs, and subsidies foster economic growth, low inflation, a vibrant labor market, and a healthy macroeconomy? Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics joins EconoFact Chats to discuss the macroeconomics of the outcome of the Presidential and Congressional elections based on a new analysis co-authored with Brendan La Cerda and Justin Begley. Note: This podcast was recorded on 19th July, 2024.

Presidential candidates promise economic prosperity. Yet views on how to achieve economic prosperity can diverge significantly — as they do between the policies of President Biden, which are likely to be largely adopted by the new Democratic nominee, and those of Presidential Candidate Trump. Will their proposed policies on taxes, immigration, tariffs, and subsidies foster economic growth, low inflation, a vibrant labor market, and a healthy macroeconomy? Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics joins EconoFact Chats to discuss the macroeconomics of the outcome of the Presidential and Congressional elections based on a new analysis co-authored with Brendan La Cerda and Justin Begley. Note: This podcast was recorded on 19th July, 2024.

Many view the greater integration of the world economy as a relatively modern phenomenon. Christopher Meissner puts the current level of international trade, the depth of global capital markets, and immigration in historical context, drawing on his new book One From the Many: The Global Economy Since 1850. Christopher explains how both technological and political changes since the mid-19th century have affected the integration of the world economy. He also discusses how trade, capital flows, and migration have created benefits that made many people better off, but this has been uneven and some people have been left behind. Christopher is a Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of California, Davis, and a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Many view the greater integration of the world economy as a relatively modern phenomenon. Christopher Meissner puts the current level of international trade, the depth of global capital markets, and immigration in historical context, drawing on his new book One From the Many: The Global Economy Since 1850. Christopher explains how both technological and political changes since the mid-19th century have affected the integration of the world economy. He also discusses how trade, capital flows, and migration have created benefits that made many people better off, but this has been uneven and some people have been left behind. Christopher is a Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of California, Davis, and a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Immigration promises to be a key issue in the U.S. Presidential elections. Candidates from both parties favor limits but differ on the extent of restrictions. Immigration is important for a vibrant economy in a country with a low rate of native population growth. What role has immigration played in U.S. economic and demographic growth in recent decades? What has been the impact, if any, on employment and wages among the native-born? What are the likely impacts of restricting immigration for particular industries and for the economy as a whole? Giovanni Peri, founding director of the Global Migration Center at UC Davis joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these questions. Giovanni is a Professor in the Department of Economics at UC Davis. He is also a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Immigration promises to be a key issue in the U.S. Presidential elections. Candidates from both parties favor limits but differ on the extent of restrictions. Immigration is important for a vibrant economy in a country with a low rate of native population growth. What role has immigration played in U.S. economic and demographic growth in recent decades? What has been the impact, if any, on employment and wages among the native-born? What are the likely impacts of restricting immigration for particular industries and for the economy as a whole? Giovanni Peri, founding director of the Global Migration Center at UC Davis joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these questions. Giovanni is a Professor in the Department of Economics at UC Davis. He is also a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

The official poverty rate in the U.S. stood at about 11.5% in 2022. But as Jeff Fuhrer highlights, this is almost certainly a vast undercounting. He estimates that about 40% of people struggle to afford basic necessities like food, housing, and transportation. He joins EconoFact Chats to discuss why official poverty measures underestimate poverty, what this means for a nation that prides itself on meritocracy, and how policies to alleviate poverty offer a win-win opportunity. Jeff served for nearly four decades in the Federal Reserve System, first at the Board of Governors in Washington, DC, followed by more than 25 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Currently, he is a non-resident fellow at the Brookings Institution, and a Foundation Fellow at the Eastern Bank Foundation. He is the author of the award-winning 2023 book 'The Myth that Made Us: How False Beliefs about Racism and Meritocracy Broke Our Economy (and How to Fix It).'