Category Archives: Economy

Employment Rates Need a Careful Analysis

The unemployment rate is dropping and jobs are becoming more plentiful, but that doesn’t mean workers are in their ideal jobs. Some people who are working are “underemployed.” The Bureau of Labor Statistics officially defines underemployment as someone who wants … Continue reading

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Interest Rates Will Rise in the Near Future

After six years of an essentially zero percent federal funds rate target, it looks like rates will begin increasing soon. The timing of that rate increase is based on the current and future strength of the economy. However, we get … Continue reading

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Worker Productivity Growth Might Influence Fed’s Interest Rate Policy

Taking a look at worker productivity growth could shed some light on what the Federal Reserve might do with interest rates. The faster the rate of productivity growth, the faster the Fed can let the economy grow without inflation picking … Continue reading

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Should Virginians Help Bail Out Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico is in serious financial crisis, and because the island is a U.S. territory, this is a matter of concern to taxpayers in Virginia and throughout the country. As a territory, this government cannot declare bankruptcy under current Chapter … Continue reading

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Obsessions of Inequality

Sarah Burd-Sharps and Kristen Lewis, authors of “Geographies of Opportunity,” provide a state-by-state and congressional district-by-congressional district measurement of “well-being” across the United States. Overall, Virginia fares reasonably well in the report, scoring 11th overall. Well-being is determined by a set … Continue reading

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