Economy content

This working paper explores how the retail sector has transformed over three decades, revealing widening productivity gaps among stores even as national chains have created more uniform shopping experiences. The…

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Connecticut’s 2025 legislative session introduced wide-ranging policy changes that reshape the business landscape—from workforce development and tax incentives to consumer protections and environmental requirements. These updates touch nearly every sector,…

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Nebraska’s 2022 Tax Burden Study explores how different tax changes ripple through the state’s economy, reshaping household income, business activity, and government revenue. Using a computable general equilibrium model, the…

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The International Migration Outlook captures how migration flows, labour shortages, and demographic pressures are reshaping economies across the OECD. The report highlights shifting migration patterns, tighter asylum systems, and the…

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Virginia continues to refine how it supports workforce development and key industries, focusing on programs that help attract and grow businesses while improving worker skills. This review highlights the effectiveness…

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“Ghost jobs” — online postings for roles that don’t actually exist — are adding unnecessary stress to today’s job hunt. This brief explores why employers use them, how they erode…

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Indiana continually evaluates whether its tax incentives are truly driving the economic and social benefits they were created to achieve. This review highlights where programs like the Earned Income Tax…

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Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is designed to revitalize communities, but its effects on school funding are more complex. When rising property tax revenue is diverted to redevelopment instead of school…

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Emerging economies need trillions in additional investment each year to meet sustainable infrastructure goals, but private capital remains limited due to heightened risk perceptions. This report explores how guarantees and…

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This research explores how expanded unemployment insurance during COVID-19 impacted worker behavior. The authors find that while higher benefits modestly increase reservation and re-employment wages, the biggest shift comes from…

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Self-employment is far more widespread than traditional labor surveys suggest, with over 33 million Americans operating nonemployer businesses. The paper analyzes IRS tax data to track how people move between…

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The most recent Census data shows that homeownership rates vary significantly across demographic groups, regions, and age brackets. While overall ownership remains steady, younger adults and minority households continue to…

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Manufacturing profits shifted unevenly from Q1 to Q2 of 2025, with some industries gaining ground while others saw declines. Sectors like pharmaceuticals, machinery, and aerospace showed noticeable changes, while key…

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The Bureau of Economic Analysis is refining how it tracks where U.S. multinational investment ultimately lands, beyond the first country in the ownership chain. Many U.S. firms route funds through…

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The Health Inclusive Poverty Measure (HIPM) provides a deeper look at economic well-being by incorporating the value of health insurance into both poverty thresholds and household resources. In 2024, the…

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