This dissertation consists of two chapters, both of which study the wealth inequality using heterogenous agent general equilibrium model. In particular, the first chapter focuses on a government policy and its implications on wealth inequality. The second chapter incorporates cost to high return assets to generate realistic wealth mobility in the…

The recent health crisis -- and unprecedented, rapid job loss associated with it -- has illuminated how unprepared the United States is for helping workers who lose their jobs reskill to prepare for and successfully enter new employment. Policy responses to the current crisis -- while critical -- have fallen far short of addressing challenges…

This paper examines the U.S. social insurance system, which we define broadly to include both programs supported by dedicated taxes and other federal programs that provide income support, assistance in meeting basic needs, or services to improve economic opportunity. The paper considers the social insurance system as a whole as well as its…

The past year highlighted and heightened California's key challenges. Millions of Californians lost jobs and income during the COVID-19 crisis; low-income families, communities of color, and women were hit hardest. As schools and universities shifted rapidly to remote learning, educators and parents scrambled to provide all students with…

Federal budget outlays totaled $3.5 trillion in 2009, of which somewhat less than 10 percent ($334 billion) was devoted to children. Despite increased spending on children under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the kids' share of total outlays actually fell modestly to 9.5 percent in 2009, down from 9.8 percent the…

In recent years, the National Council on Disability (NCD) Progress Report has been a retrospective review and analysis of Federal programs for people with disabilities. For this Progress Report, NCD members have chosen to depart from a retrospective approach, and, instead, will focus on the current status of the quality of life of people with…

This paper examines labor market conditions and public employment policies in the United States during what some are calling the Great Recession. We document the dramatic labor market changes that rapidly unfolded when the rate of gross domestic product growth turned negative, from the end of 2007 through early 2009. The paper reviews the…

Appraises the 1971-74 Federal program of wage and price controls and examines the problems of interactions with other public programs as well as with private actions. Concludes that controls are not an effective method of dealing with inflation. (MF)

States that the indifference of public policy to human rights issues is illustrated by severe budget cuts in essential program areas such as the National Institute for Mental Health, the Legal Services Corporation, school lunches, social security, and education for the handicapped. Considers strategies for minimizing destructive effects of current…

This report examines the relationship between federal programs and policies and urban economic development. It provides both a conceptual analysis of the relationships and a review of the theoretical and empirical literature relevant to assessing policy effects. It is one of several in a broad study that examined federal actions in relation to…

Based on the Committee on the Next Agenda's analysis of four major aspects of public policy, recommended presidential initiatives for President Reagan's second term in office are outlined. Biographic information about Committee members and a summary of initiatives preface the report. Section 1 examines initiatives related to the role of government…

This third special report of the National Commission for Manpower Policy provides information regarding the ways that European nations were dealing with complex manpower problems similar to the ones faced by the United States during the recession of 1974-1975. Following a brief introductory section, section 2 reviews the methods used by the…

The development of Federal policies affecting youth employment has gone through five critical periods during the 20th century. The period began with the failure of child labor reformers to obtain Federal intervention in youth labor markets. The New Deal greatly enhanced a reversal of the trend. Development of the Great Society programs provided an…

Suggests that children, as the nation's most precious social resource, are the shared responsibility of parents and government. Argues that current efforts to scale back social welfare programs in Canada need to be reversed, so as to provide children, and families with children, a decent minimum standard of living. (MDM)

This eighth special report of the National Commission for Manpower Policy sets forth a conceptual base and the major elements for constructing a national manpower policy framework. The content is presented in six sections. The first one is a brief introduction, while section 2 covers the rationale supporting the development of a national manpower…