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U.S. Immigration Policy - Roundtable: A Market-Based Approach to Immigration Reform

May 15, 2012 • Video

U.S. Immigration Policy - The Challenges and Opportunities for Immigration Reform in the United States

May 15, 2012 • Audio

Council on Foreign Relations Senior Fellow Edward Alden moderates a discussion between former U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Silver Lake Co-Founder Glenn Hutchins, National Council of La Raza President and CEO Janet Murguía, and UNITE HERE President John Wilhelm on many of the broader issues surrounding today’s immigration reform debate.  

U.S. Immigration Policy - Roundtable: A Market-Based Approach to Immigration Reform

May 15, 2012 • Audio

UC Davis Economist Giovanni Peri presented a new proposal for a market-based approach to immigration reform, followed by a discussion of the proposal with National Public Radio Ombudsman Edward Schumacher-Matos, 3M Senior Vice President Legal Affairs and General Counsel Marschall Smith and Ocean Mist Farms Director of Human Resources Jorge Suarez, moderated by Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone.

U.S. Immigration Policy: The Border Between Reform and the Economy Photos

May 15, 2012 • Photo Galleries

On May 15, The Hamilton Project at Brookings held a forum exploring the challenges and opportunities for immigration reform in today’s political and economic climate.  Cecilia Muñoz, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, gave featured remarks on the Obama Administration’s efforts to reform America’s broken immigration system and why that is an economic imperative.

In the first panel, UC Davis Economist Giovanni Peri presented a new proposal for a market-based approach to immigration reform.  A panel of experts representing a range of perspectives discussed details of the proposal.  A second panel of thought leaders discussed many of the broader issues surrounding today’s immigration reform debate.  Participants included: former U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Silver Lake Co-Founder Glenn Hutchins, National Council of La Raza President and CEO Janet Murguía, and UNITE HERE President John Wilhelm. 

U.S. Immigration Policy:  The Border Between Reform and the Economy

Events • May 15, 2012 • Washington, DC 20045

America’s immigration policy no longer serves the needs of our fast-changing global economy.   Failure to address immigration reform at the national level has resulted in missed opportunities to spur America’s economic growth and productivity.  On May 15, The Hamilton Project held a forum exploring the challenges and opportunities for immigration reform in today’s political and economic climate. 

NEW PAPER

The U.S. Immigration System: Potential Benefits of Reform

Papers • May 2012 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

The Hamilton Project provides background information on the state of America’s immigration system, and discusses the economic benefits of reforming the system.

NEW PAPER

What Immigration Means For U.S. Employment and Wages

Papers • May 2012 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

Our nation’s immigration policy continues to be an issue of debate among policymakers, particularly the impact on the U.S. labor force. The Hamilton Project highlights the economic evidence on what immigration means for U.S. jobs and the economy.

Economic Facts About Taxes: Roundtable: Key Principles for a Successful Reform Effort

May 3, 2012 • Video

Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone moderates a panel discussion between Business Roundtable President and former Michigan Governor John Engler; Center for American Progress Chair and Counselor John Podesta; NBER President and CEO James Poterba; and Brookings Senior Fellow Alice Rivlin at The Hamilton Project event "Economic Facts About Taxes: Rates, Revenues and Reform Options."

Economic Facts About Taxes: Rates, Revenues and Reform Options Photos

May 3, 2012 • Photo Galleries

On May 3, The Hamilton Project hosted a policy forum on the economic context for tax reform and the economic criteria that should be used when evaluating tax reform options.  As part of the event, the Project released a new policy memo, “A Dozen Facts About Tax Reform,” to help shed light on various aspects of the reform debate. Following opening remarks, former Council of Economic Advisers Chair Martin Feldstein and Lawrence H. Summers, former Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and former U.S. Treasury Secretary, discussed the broad economic case for tax reform. A second panel of experts debatde key principles for a successful tax reform effort, drawing from a range of experiences.  Participants included Business Roundtable President and former Michigan Governor John Engler; Center for American Progress Chair and Counselor John Podesta; NBER President and CEO James Poterba; and Brookings Senior Fellow Alice Rivlin.  After each panel, the speakers took audience questions.

Economic Facts About Taxes: Roundtable: Key Principles for a Successful Reform Effort

May 3, 2012 • Audio

Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone moderates a panel discussion between Business Roundtable President and former Michigan Governor John Engler; Center for American Progress Chair and Counselor John Podesta; NBER President and CEO James Poterba; and Brookings Senior Fellow Alice Rivlin at The Hamilton Project event "Economic Facts About Taxes: Rates, Revenues and Reform Options."

Economic Facts About Taxes: Welcome, Overview of “A Dozen Facts About Tax Reform,” and Roundtable: The Economic Case for Tax Reform

May 3, 2012 • Audio

Former Treasury Secretary and Hamilton Project Advisory Council member Robert E. Rubin welcomes the crowd at the event "Economic Facts About Taxes: Rates, Revenues and Reform Options," followed by an overview of “A Dozen Facts About Tax Reform" by Hamilton Project Policy Director Adam Looney.  Economics Editor of The Economist Zanny Minton Beddoes then moderates a discussion on the broad economic case for tax reform with former Council of Economic Advisers Chair Martin Feldstein and Lawrence H. Summers, former Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and former U.S. Treasury Secretary.
 

NEW PAPER

A Dozen Economic Facts About Tax Reform

Papers • May 2012 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

To provide an economic context for tax reform, The Hamilton Project has a new paper focusing on the role of our tax system in the long-run budget deficit, global competitiveness, and rising income inequality.

Economic Facts About Taxes: Rates, Revenues and Reform Options

Events • May 3, 2012 • Washington, DC

Fiscal issues will rapidly come to the fore next fall as the federal government faces the looming expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts, the onset of the deficit “trigger,” and another debate on the debt limit. Across the political spectrum, one of the few points on which today’s policymakers can agree is that the tax code is in desperate need of reform. On May 3, The Hamilton Project hosted a policy forum on the economic context for tax reform and the economic criteria that should be used when evaluating tax reform options. 

NEW PAPER

Paying Too Much for Energy? The True Costs of Our Energy Choices

Papers • April 2012 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

In the Spring issue of Daedalus, Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney draw from previous Hamilton Project research to examine the “true social cost” of current energy consumption - nearly three times the amount that appears on utility bills.

NEW PAPER

Just How Progressive is the U.S. Tax Code?

Papers • April 2012 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

As tax time approaches, one focus of debate has been the progressivity of the U.S. tax code. Evidence shows that the current U.S. tax system is less progressive than the tax systems of other industrialized countries, and considerably less progressive today than it was just a few decades ago.

Evolution of the “Job Gap” and Possible Scenarios for Growth

April 6, 2012 • Charts

The Hamilton Project tracks the monthly “job gap,” which is the number of jobs that need to be created in order to return to pre-recession employment levels while still absorbing the workers entering the labor force each month.

The Truth about Taxes: Just About Everyone Pays Them

The Hamilton Project Blog • April 6, 2012

A popular tax myth is that a large segment of Americans do not pay taxes and instead freerideoff of our society.  The Hamilton Project exploresthis myth and finds that virtually allAmericanswill pay some form of taxduring their lifetime. 

NEW PAPER

The Truth about Taxes: Just About Everyone Pays Them

Papers • April 2012 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

A popular tax myth is that a large segment of Americans do not pay taxes and instead free ride off of our society.  The Hamilton Project explores this myth and finds that virtually all Americans will pay some form of tax during their lifetime. 

Understanding the “Jobs Gap” and What it Says About America’s Evolving Workforce

The Hamilton Project Blog • March 9, 2012

The Hamilton Project examines how our nation’s changing demographics may impact the composition of America’s workforce in the years ahead.  By exploring these changes, we can better understand how long it will take the labor market to recover, and what the labor force may look like in the new economy.

NEW PAPER

Understanding the “Jobs Gap” and What it Says About America’s Evolving Workforce

Papers • March 2012 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

The Hamilton Project reexamines the current rate of labor force expansion, and how shifts in labor force participation will decrease the time it will take to close the “jobs gap.” As a result of new methodology based on population estimates, we now project that at a job creation rate of 208,000 per month, it will take until 2020 to close the jobs gap, rather than late 2023 as we had projected with the old method. 

The Marriage Gap:  The Impact of Economic and Technological Change on Marriage Rates

The Hamilton Project Blog • February 3, 2012

The Hamilton Project examines the decline the marriagesover the last 50 years, highlighting thecorrelation between income level and likelihood of marrying. The decline in marriage is concentrated among less-educated, lower-income Americans.

The Marriage Gap:  The Impact of Economic and Technological Change on Marriage Rates

Papers • February 2012 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

The Hamilton Project examines the decline the marriages over the last 50 years, highlighting the correlation between income level and likelihood of marrying. The decline in marriage is concentrated among less-educated, lower-income Americans.

Shrinking Job Opportunities: The Challenge of Putting Americans Back to Work

The Hamilton Project Blog • January 6, 2012

The Hamilton Project compares trends in unemployment duration before and after the Great Recession and finds that the probability of finding new employment is considerably lower today than it was before the recession.

Shrinking Job Opportunities: The Challenge of Putting Americans Back to Work

Papers • January 2012 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

The Hamilton Project compares trends in unemployment duration before and after the Great Recession and finds that the probability of finding new employment is considerably lower today than it was before the recession.

What is Happening to America’s Less-Skilled Workers? The Importance of Education and Training in Today’s Economy

The Hamilton Project Blog • December 2, 2011

The Hamilton Project explores the employment and earnings trends facing America’s less-educated workers over the last few decades, and highlights training and workforce development opportunities that could be part of the policy solution.

What is Happening to America’s Less-Skilled Workers? The Importance of Education and Training in Today’s Economy

Papers • December 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

The Hamilton Project explores the employment and earnings trends facing America’s less-educated workers over the last few decades, and highlights training and workforce development opportunities that could be part of the policy solution.

Training America’s Workforce for the Future: Roundtable: Creating More-Effective Education and Workforce Development Systems in the States

November 30, 2011 • Audio

Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone moderates a panel discussion between Georgetown University Professor of Public Policy Harry J. Holzer, Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership Vice President Rhandi Berth, Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program Executive Director Maureen Conway, and Walla Walla Community College President Steven VanAusdle at the event "Training America’s Workforce for the Future: New Policies to Boost Employment and Wages."

Training America’s Workforce for the Future: Roundtable: Opportunities to Reduce Displaced Workers’ Earnings Losses Through Retraining

November 30, 2011 • Audio

Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone moderates a panel discussion between New Horizons Economic Research President Louis S. Jacobson, Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership Vice President Rhandi Berth, AFL-CIO Legislative and Policy Specialist for Workforce Issues Daniel Marschall, and Walla Walla Community College President Steven VanAusdle at the event "Training America’s Workforce for the Future: New Policies to Boost Employment and Wages."
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Training America’s Workforce for the Future: New Policies to Boost Employment and Wages Photos

November 30, 2011 • Photo Galleries

The Hamilton Project at Brookings held forum and released new policy proposals on training programs geared toward the needs of today’s workforce.  In a rapidly- changing global economy, the skills of some workers have become less valuable, while other skills are in short supply.  By collaborating with industry partners and drawing on evidence about what works, training programs can better prepare workers for jobs in growing industries. A diverse group of policy leaders, stakeholders and training experts participated in the forum to share a range of perspectives, including White House Council of Economic Advisers Chair Alan Krueger, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Siemens President and CEO Eric Spiegel.

Impacts of Training Program Earnings by Years After Training

November 30, 2011 • Charts

It is critical that worker training programs be rigorously evaluated so that scare training resources can be targeted toward the most effective programs.

Training America’s Workforce for the Future: Roundtable: Opportunities to Reduce Displaced Workers’ Earnings Losses Through Retraining

November 30, 2011 • Video

Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone moderates a panel discussion between New Horizons Economic Research President Louis S. Jacobson, Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership Vice President Rhandi Berth, AFL-CIO Legislative and Policy Specialist for Workforce Issues Daniel Marschall, and Walla Walla Community College President Steven VanAusdle at the event "Training America’s Workforce for the Future: New Policies to Boost Employment and Wages."

Training America’s Workforce for the Future: Roundtable: Creating More-Effective Education and Workforce Development Systems in the States

November 30, 2011 • Video

Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone moderates a panel discussion between Georgetown University Professor of Public Policy Harry J. Holzer, Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership Vice President Rhandi Berth, Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program Executive Director Maureen Conway, and Walla Walla Community College President Steven VanAusdle at the event "Training America’s Workforce for the Future: New Policies to Boost Employment and Wages."

Federal Funding for DOL Training Programs, 1985-2011

November 30, 2011 • Charts

Federal spending on job training programs by the U.S. Department of Labor has gradually fallen since the 1980s, aside from a bump in 2009 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Training America’s Workforce for the Future: Moderated Discussion: Human Capital, Economic Growth, and Job Creation in the New Millennium

November 30, 2011 • Video

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin leads a moderated discussion with White House Council of Economic Advisers Chair Alan B. Krueger at The Hamilton Project event "Training America’s Workforce for the Future: New Policies to Boost Employment and Wages."

Training America’s Workforce for the Future: New Policies to Boost Employment and Wages

Events • November 30, 2011 • Washington, DC

On November 30, The Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution held a forum and released new policy proposals on training programs geared toward the needs of today’s workforce.  In a rapidly changing global economy, the skills of some workers have become obsolete while other skills are in short supply.  By collaborating with industry partners and using evidence about what works, training programs can better prepare workers for jobs with high-demand, both now and in the future.

Training America’s Workforce for the Future: Welcome and Announcement of 2011 Hamilton Project Policy Innovation Prize Winner

November 30, 2011 • Video

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin welcomes the crowd and presents Harry J. Holzer with the 2011 Hamilton Project Policy Innovation Prize at the event "Training America’s Workforce for the Future: New Policies to Boost Employment and Wages."

Building America’s Job Skills with Effective Workforce Programs: A Training Strategy to Raise Wages and Increase Work Opportunities

Papers • November 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

Amid the Great Recession and rapid technological changes, both workers with less education and workers who have been displaced from long-tenured jobs face challenges because they lack the particular skills that employers demand for good-paying jobs. In a new Hamilton Project strategy paper, Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney address the importance of developing workers’ skills through training and workforce development programs, and examine newly available evidence on policies that boost job opportunities and wages.

Earnings of Workers Who Lost Their Job in the Great Recession

November 4, 2011 • Charts

Recent research suggests that hardship for dislocated workers extends beyond periods of unemployment.  Once reemployed, workers typically earn significantly less than they did prior to job loss.

Unemployment and Earnings Losses: The Long-Term Impacts of The Great Recession on American Workers

The Hamilton Project Blog • November 4, 2011

The Hamilton Project explores the experiences of workers who lost their jobs during the height of the Great Recession and finds that even those workers who have found new employment often earn significantly less than before.

Unemployment and Earnings Losses: The Long-Term Impacts of The Great Recession on American Workers

Papers • November 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

The Hamilton Project explores the experiences of workers who lost their jobs during the height of the Great Recession and finds that even those workers who have found new employment often earn significantly less than before. 

Change in Family Earnings of Children, 1975-2010

October 7, 2011 • Charts

Over the last 35 years, the opportunity gap for children whose parents are at different ends of the earnings distribution has grown.  Children at the 90th percentile of the distribution of family earnings have experienced a 45 percent increase, while children at the 25th percentile have experienced a decline of over 20 percent.

What Is Happening to America’s Children? A Look At The Widening Opportunity Gap for Today’s Youth

The Hamilton Project Blog • October 7, 2011

Resources available to children can have long-term effects on their quality of life. The Project examines the family earnings devoted to the typical American child and finds that half of children are now worse off than their counterparts 35 years ago.

What Is Happening to America’s Children? A Look At The Widening Opportunity Gap for Today’s Youth

Papers • October 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

Resources available to children can have long-term effects on their quality of life. The Project examines the family earnings devoted to the typical American child and finds that half of children are now worse off than their counterparts 35 years ago.

Promoting K-12 Education to Advance Student Achievement Photos

September 27, 2011 • Photo Galleries

On September 27, The Hamilton Project at Brookings helda forum to highlight new policy ideas and perspectives on how to improve student performance in K-12 education.  The program concluded with a discussion on the path forward in education reform with Teach for America Founder and CEO Wendy Kopp and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, moderated by David Leonhardt, D.C. bureau chief of the New York Times.

Promoting K-12 Education to Advance Student Achievement

Events • September 27, 2011 • Washington, DC

On September 27, The Hamilton Project at Brookings held a forum to highlight new policy ideas and perspectives on how to improve student performance in K-12 education.  The program concluded with a discussion on the path forward in education reform with Teach for America Founder and CEO Wendy Kopp and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, moderated by David Leonhardt, D.C. bureau chief of the New York Times.

Promoting K-12 Education: Introduction and Panel I: The Power and Pitfalls of Education Incentives

September 27, 2011 • Audio

Hamilton Project Advisory Council member Robert E. Rubin welcomes the crowd at the event "Promoting K-12 Education to Advance Student Achievement," and Advisory Council member Roger C. Altman provides an overview of a new strategy paper. Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone moderates a panel discussion between Harvard University Professor and EdLabs CEO Roland Fryer, former Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Peter Gorman, New Visions for Public Schools President Robert L. Hughes, and United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew.

Promoting K-12 Education: Panel III: New Assessments for Improved Accountability

September 27, 2011 • Audio

Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone moderates a panel discussion between University of Chicago Professor Derek Neal, former Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Peter Gorman, New Visions for Public Schools President Robert L. Hughes, and United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew at the event "Promoting K-12 Education to Advance Student Achievement."

Promoting K-12 Education: Panel II: Organizing Schools to Improve Student Achievement: Start Times, Grade Configurations, and Teacher Assignments

September 27, 2011 • Audio

Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone moderates a panel discussion between University of Michigan Professor Brian A. Jacob, Columbia University Professor Jonah E. Rockoff, former Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Peter Gorman, New Visions for Public Schools President Robert L. Hughes, and United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew at the event "Promoting K-12 Education to Advance Student Achievement."

Promoting K-12 Education: Panel III: New Assessments for Improved Accountability

September 27, 2011 • Video

Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone moderates a panel discussion between University of Chicago Professor Derek Neal, former Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Peter Gorman, New Visions for Public Schools President Robert L. Hughes, and United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew at the event "Promoting K-12 Education to Advance Student Achievement."

Promoting K-12 Education: Panel II: Organizing Schools to Improve Student Achievement: Start Times, Grade Configurations, and Teacher Assignments

September 27, 2011 • Video

Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone moderates a panel discussion between University of Michigan Professor Brian A. Jacob, Columbia University Professor Jonah E. Rockoff, former Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Peter Gorman, New Visions for Public Schools President Robert L. Hughes, and United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew at the event "Promoting K-12 Education to Advance Student Achievement."

Annual Earnings of Teachers and Non-Teachers

September 27, 2011 • Charts

Over the last 40 years, the salary gap between teachers and nonteachers has grown by over $10,000.

Average Mathematics Test Scores for 17-Year-Old White and Black Students

September 27, 2011 • Charts

Investments in education have narrowed the black-white skill gap for much of the twentieth century, but has stagnated since the 1980s.

Average Mathematics Test Scores for 15-Year-Olds, OECD Countries

September 27, 2011 • Charts

The United States scores below the OCED average in mathematics, despite spending $3,000 more per student than the OCED average.

Average Math and Reading Test Scores for 17 Year Olds

September 27, 2011 • Charts

Over the last 30 years, math and reading test scores for high school seniors have barely moved.

Promoting K-12 Education: Introduction and Panel I: The Power and Pitfalls of Education Incentives

September 27, 2011 • Video

Hamilton Project Advisory Council member Robert E. Rubin welcomes the crowd at the event "Promoting K-12 Education to Advance Student Achievement," and Advisory Council member Roger C. Altman provides an overview of a new strategy paper. Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone moderates a panel discussion between Harvard University Professor and EdLabs CEO Roland Fryer, former Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Peter Gorman, New Visions for Public Schools President Robert L. Hughes, and United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew.

Improving Student Outcomes: Restoring America’s Education Potential

Papers • September 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

For decades, education has boosted U.S. productivity and earnings, forged a path out of poverty for many families, helped disadvantaged students narrow the learning gap with their peers, and developed a workforce that continues to be among the most productive and innovative on Earth.  However, in recent years educational attainment and performance have stagnated.  In a new strategy paper, The Hamilton Project provides a dual-track approach to improving educational outcomes for K-12 students by addressing structural barriers and implementing short-term cost-effective reforms to improve student performance.

Are We Short-Changing our Future? The Economic Imperative of Attracting Great Teachers

The Hamilton Project Blog • September 22, 2011

America’s workforce needs a strong education system to compete and research demonstrates the power of a good teacher to boost student achievement.  However, hiring and retaining effective teachers has become difficult, partly due to compensation.  In a new policy memo, The Hamilton Project explores the relative salary declines of teachers during the last four decades when compared to other professions.

Are We Short-Changing our Future? The Economic Imperative of Attracting Great Teachers

Papers • September 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

America's workforce needs a strong eduction system to compete and research demonstrates the power of a good teacher to boost student achievement. However, hiring and retaining effective teachers has become difficult, partly due to compensation. In a new policy memo, The Hamilton Project explores the relative salary declines of teachers during the last four decades when compared to other professions.

Decline in Employment Rates by State Since 2007

September 2, 2011 • Charts

While all states have lost jobs during the Great Recession, these losses have not been equally shared across the nation.

Taking the Job Gap to the State Level: A Closer Look at the August Employment Numbers

Papers • September 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

As President Barack Obama prepares to give a major jobs address, Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney examine the “job gap” across the United States, looking at the areas of the country that remain hardest hit by the Great Recession.

Taking the Job Gap to the State Level: A Closer Look at the August Employment Numbers

The Hamilton Project Blog • September 2, 2011

As President Barack Obama prepares to give a major jobs address, Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney examine the “job gap” across the United States, looking at the areas of the country that remain hardest hit by the Great Recession.

Productivity and Compensation in the United States

August 5, 2011 • Charts

In the past 40 years, as the pace of innovation has slowed, American workers have experienced lower growth rates of productivity and compensation.

Deaths from Major Infectious Disease

August 5, 2011 • Charts

Technological and medical innovations have drastically reduced the mortality rate and increased life expectancy in the United States

Post-Secondary Degrees Awarded in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Fields

August 5, 2011 • Charts

The United States lags far behind other countries in training students in the STEM fields that advance scientific and technological innovations.

Cost of Computing Power Equal to an iPad2

August 5, 2011 • Charts

Since the advent of computers, consumers have enjoyed greater bang for their buck as computers have become increasingly powerful.

Increasing Productivity and Boosting Wages: Is Innovation the Answer?

Papers • August 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

Examining data about the current state of the economy and job growth in June, Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney look at the role innovation could play in aiding the faltering economy by increasing productivity, boosting wages, and improving the quality of life for American families.

A Dozen Economic Facts About Innovation

Papers • August 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

During the last century, medical, technical, and business  innovations have driven economic growth, increased wages, and improved living standards in the United States.  In recent years, however, those gains have stagnated.  The Hamilton Project examines the role of innovation in driving the U.S. economy, including its historical importance, the current pace of growth, and opportunities for investments to benefit America’s future.

Increasing Productivity and Boosting Wages: Is Innovation the Answer?

The Hamilton Project Blog • August 5, 2011

Examining data about the current state of the economy and job growth in June, Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney look at the role innovation could play in aiding the faltering economy by increasing productivity, boosting wages, and improving the quality of life for American families.

Trends: Reduced Earnings for Men in America

Papers • July 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

Over the past 40 years, U.S. GDP per capita has more than doubled, but the median male in the 25-64 age group now earns 28 percent less. Drawing on previous work by The Hamilton Project, Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney address some of the workforce challenges plaguing American men.

The Great Recession May Be Over, but American Families Are Working Harder than Ever

The Hamilton Project Blog • July 8, 2011

Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney examine the trend in median earnings for the American family over the last 30 years. They find that the typical American family is earning more, but almost entirely because parents are working more.

Median Earnings and Annual Hours Worked for Two-Parent Families

July 8, 2011 • Charts

Median wages for the American family have increased over the last twenty-five years, but these incresase are largely due to additional hours worked.

The Great Recession May Be Over, but American Families Are Working Harder than Ever

Papers • July 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney examine the trend in median earnings for the American family over the last 30 years. They find that the typical American family is earning more, but almost entirely because parents are working more.

PhDs, Policies, and Patents:  Innovation and America’s Future

Events • June 28, 2011 • Washington, DC

What new breakthrough sciences and technologies are next on the horizon for the U.S. economy, and what role can policy play in creating a positive environment to promote innovative developments? On June 28, The Hamilton Project at Brookings hosted a forum on the future of innovation in the United States which explored the challenges to, and opportunities for, furthering advancements to create jobs and spur economic growth.

PhDs, Policies, and Patents: Obstacles and Opportunities for American Science and Innovation

June 28, 2011 • Video

Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone moderates a panel discussion between Stanford Professor Tim Bresnahan, Chief Technology Officer of the United States Aneesh Chopra, George Mason Professor Tyler Cowen, and Silver Lake Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Glenn Hutchins on challenges facing American innovation.

PhDs, Policies, and Patents: Innovation and America’s Future Photos

June 28, 2011 • Photo Galleries

Innovation and invention drive the American economy, from the light bulb and mass production of automobiles to more recent advances like the smartphone and the coordinated effort to map the human genome. But what new breakthrough sciences and technologies are next on the horizon, and what role can U.S. policy play in creating a positive environment to promote innovative developments? On Tuesday, June 28, The Hamilton Project at Brookings hosted a forum on the future of innovation in the United States — exploring the challenges to, and opportunities for, furthering advancements to create jobs and spur economic growth.

PhDs, Policies, and Patents: Panel 2: Obstacles and Opportunities for American Science and Innovation

June 28, 2011 • Audio

Full audio of Panel Two: Panel 2: "Obstacles and Opportunities for American Science and Innovation" from the event PhD's, Policies, and Patents: Innovation and Amerca's Future.

Where is the Best Place to Invest $102,000 — In Stocks, Bonds, or a College Degree?

The Hamilton Project Blog • June 25, 2011

Is college a worthwhile investment?  Hamilton Project director Michael Greenstone and policy director Adam Looney compare the value of a college degree to other investment options and find higher education provides, by far, the greatest rate of return.

Rate of Return of College Compared to Alternative Investments

June 25, 2011 • Charts

Despite continued debate over the value of a college education, data shows that higher education has a much higher rate of return than any other investment.

Where is the Best Place to Invest $102,000 — In Stocks, Bonds, or a College Degree?

Papers • June 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

Is college a worthwhile investment? Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone and Policy Director Adam Looney compare the value of a college degree to other investment options and find higher education provides, by far, the greatest rate of return. 

How Do Recent College Grads Really Stack Up? Employment and Earnings for Graduates of the Great Recession

The Hamilton Project Blog • June 3, 2011

As the job market continues to struggle, there has been much debate about whether a college education has been worth the investment for recent graduates. Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney examine whether recent college graduates are better off, in terms of employment and earnings, than their counterparts who did not invest in a degree. 

Earnings by Education Level

June 3, 2011 • Charts

In today’s economy, those young adults with a college degree are more likely to be employed and earn higher wages than their peers with a high school diploma only or less.

How Do Recent College Grads Really Stack Up? Employment and Earnings for Graduates of the Great Recession

Papers • June 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

As the job market continues to struggle, there has been much debate about whether a college education has been worth the investment for recent graduates. Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney examine whether recent college graduates are better off, in terms of employment and earnings, than their counterparts who did not invest in a degree.

America’s Energy Future: Welcome and Panel 1: New Policies for a Cleaner Economy

May 18, 2011 • Audio

Full audio from Welcome and Panel 1: "New Policies for a Cleaner Economy" at the event America’s Energy Future: New Solutions to Fuel Economic Growth and Prosperity.

Private and Social Costs of Electricty Generation by Source

May 18, 2011 • Charts

When energy sources are priced, including the social costs – environmental degregation and health risks, different winners and losers come out than when prices are simply those shown at the pump. 

A Strategy for America’s Energy Future: Illuminating Energy’s Full Costs

Papers • May 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

America’s energy choices are built on the prices we see at the pump and our utility bills. Yet these prices mask the social costs arising from those energy choices, including shorter lives, higher health care expenses, a changing climate, and weakened national security. Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney provide four principles for reforming America’s energy policies to help level the playing field for all energy sources — moving away from a system that favors energy sources with lower prices at the pump but higher costs to society through health impacts and our ongoing reliance on foreign oil.

America’s Energy Future: New Solutions to Fuel Economic Growth and Prosperity

Events • May 18, 2011 • Washington, DC

America’s current energy system poses long-term threats to national security, health, and the environment. On May 18, The Hamilton Project hosted a forum on America’s energy future, focusing on strategies to give all energy sources equal footing in the marketplace and expand America’s opportunities to utilize cleaner, low-cost sources of energy. 

America’s Energy Future: New Solutions to Fuel Economic Growth and Prosperity Photos

May 18, 2011 • Photo Galleries

The recent climb in gasoline prices to $4 per gallon is the latest headwind facing the U.S. economy. In addition to this threat to economic growth, America’s current energy system poses long-term threats to national security, health, and the environment. On May 18, The Hamilton Project hosted a forum on America’s energy future, focusing on strategies to give all energy sources equal footing in the marketplace and expand America’s opportunities to utilize cleaner, low-cost sources of energy.

Counties Not Meeting Clean Air Act Standards

May 6, 2011 • Charts

The map above shows counties designated “non-attainment” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency because their pollution concentrations of specific contaminants exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

We Are What We Breathe: The Impacts of Air Pollution on Employment and Productivity

The Hamilton Project Blog • May 6, 2011

Despite modest improvement in April jobs numbers, the job gap — the number of U.S. jobs that must be created to return to pre-recession levels — is just under 12 million. Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney also explore the impact of air pollution on long-term employment and the productivity of American workers.

We Are What We Breathe: The Impacts of Air Pollution on Employment and Productivity

Papers • May 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

Despite modest improvement in April jobs numbers, the job gap — the number of U.S. jobs that must be created to return to pre-recession levels — is just under 12 million. Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney also explore the impact of air pollution on long-term employment and the productivity of American workers.

Women in the Workforce: Is Wage Stagnation Catching Up to Them Too?

The Hamilton Project Blog • April 1, 2011

Despite modest improvement in March jobs numbers, the job gap — the number of U.S. jobs that must be created to return to pre-recession levels — is more than 12 million. Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney also explore how the median wage of the American woman has stagnated over the last decade.

Women in the Workforce: Is Wage Stagnation Catching Up to Them Too?

Papers • April 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

The Hamilton Project continues its examination of long-term market treds by asking: what has happened to the earnings of women? In addition, we  continue our look at America’s “job gap,” or the number of jobs that the U.S. economy needs to create in order to return to pre-recession employment levels — while also absorbing the 125,000 people who enter the labor force each month.

Have Earnings Actually Declined?

The Hamilton Project Blog • March 4, 2011

Despite modest improvement in February jobs numbers, earnings are still declining and the job gap — the number of U.S. jobs that must be created to return to pre-recession levels — is more than 12 million. Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney explore how the median wage of the American male has declined 28 percent since 1969.

Median Annual Earnings Since 1964

March 4, 2011 • Charts

Earnings have declined nearly 28 percent for the median American male worker since 1969.

Have Earnings Actually Declined?

Papers • March 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

The Hamilton Project updates America’s “job gap,” the number of jobs that the U.S. economy needs to create in order to return to pre-recession employment levels while absorbing the 125,000 people who enter the labor force each month. This month we also return to our examination of longer-term labor market trends by looking at the earnings of Americans during the past four decades.

State Roads to Economic Recovery: Panel 2: Tools for Efficient State Investment

February 25, 2011 • Audio

Full audio of Panel 2: "Tools for Efficient State Investment" from the event State Roads to Economic Recovery: Policies, Pavements, and Partnerships.
 

Investing in the Future: An Economic Strategy for State and Local Governments in a Period of Tight Budgets

Papers • February 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone

Confronting near-term budget challenges, state and local governments are under tremendous pressure to focus on immediate needs at the expense of long-term investments. Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney highlight four policy principles for state and local governments with an emphasis on the importance of infrastructure investments for economic growth and prosperity.