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Many U.S. public school buildings are in dire need of renovations, as the average age of U.S. school buildings is approximately 49 years, and an estimated 53% have never undergone any major renovations. By renovating, upgrading, and improving the resilience of school buildings, schools can maintain a safe and modern learning environment for students and faculty and be better prepared for extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change like wildfires and heat.
Each month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases national and state-level data on U.S. employment, which provide useful information about the state of the labor market and progress toward building a better America. The below map and chart created by the Joint Economic Committee highlight key trends in the most recent monthly data for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The most recent state-level data, which cover the month of August 2024, were released on September 20th, 2024.
Farmworkers are essential workers who provide food to families across the country and fuel the U.S. economy with their work. As climate change exacerbates extreme events like heatwaves and wildfires, these workers face elevated health risks and even death, given these labor-intensive jobs are mostly done outdoors. Many farmworkers work through these dangerous conditions for very little pay. Democrats in Congress and the Biden-Harris administration are responding to these conditions by expanding farmworker protections around heat and mitigating wildfire risks while also supporting farmworkers' labor rights. Together, these efforts will help make sure farmworkers are safe, healthy, and able to support their families without risking their lives on the job.
Wages and salaries have risen significantly throughout the United States since January 2021. Updated calculations by the JEC Democrats find that average U.S. wages and salaries grew by over $17,600 between January 2021 and July 2024, outpacing price growth during that period by nearly $4,500.