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Joint Economic Committee Democrats

Publications

Nov 09 2017

Senate GOP Plans to Tax Americans Twice

President Trump and Senate Republicans’ tax proposal threatens to take the state and local tax deduction (SALT) away from over 40 million households. State and local deductions are not a partisan issue—both red and blue state families use them to save hard-earned money on their federal tax returns. The SALT deduction ensures Americans are not taxed twice on the same income. These deductions include write-offs for state sales, income, and property taxes. By eliminating the deduction, working Americans will face tax hikes costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Nov 09 2017

The Economic State of the Veterans Community

While the transition back into civilian life can be difficult for some, the economic state of the veteran community is on an upward trend. Overall, the nation’s 20.5 million veterans earn more, experience lower unemployment, are more likely to have health insurance, and less likely to live in poverty than their non-veteran peers. In this fact sheet we will dive a little deeper into the current economic state of our veterans community.

Nov 08 2017

House GOP Tax Plan Robs Local Communities

House Republicans are taking aim at tax incentives that lift up working families and promote infrastructure spending in struggling communities across the nation. These incentives are supported by both Republicans and Democrats, and benefit manufacturing workers, health care professionals, and school teachers, among others. Eliminating them would cripple economic progress in thousands of rural and urban communities, stripping working Americans of new job opportunities, higher wages, and affordable housing.

Nov 07 2017

The College Affordability Crisis in America

The report highlights multiple approaches Congress can take to address the college affordability crisis in the United States, including alleviating the cost burden on students, changing the incentives that colleges face, and offering better guidance and information to students. Congress should expand low-cost, high-quality pathways and provide the support students who enroll in college need to complete their degrees.

Nov 06 2017

Post-9/11 Veterans Contribute to Industries Across the Economy

Post-9/11 veterans are a vital part of the workforce in industries across the economy. Many recent veterans continue serving their country after leaving the armed forces, working for the government at the federal, state, or local level. Nearly 16 percent of post-9/11 veterans work for the federal government where Republicans’ proposed budget cuts could impact wages and jobs.

Nov 01 2017

The Need to Rebuild Smarter

The report, “The Need to Rebuild Smarter,” cites that the average cost of national disasters have more than tripled since 1980. Furthermore, climate change poses an increasing threat to communities in the United States, with populations at risk to hurricanes growing 22 percent faster than the overall population from 2001-2010.

Oct 31 2017

October Economic Snapshot of the States

This month’s highlights include updated preschool and college enrollment data, and updated Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicare enrollment figures.

Oct 30 2017

Soaring Business Profits Fail to Yield Investment Growth

Analysis by the Economic Policy Institute shows that, despite averaging profit rates of 8.5 percent since 2007, the business investment rate has been substantially lower than in previous eras. At 2.1 percent, business investment growth since 2007 has been less than half the pace of the post-war era.

Oct 27 2017

American Consumers Deserve Their Day in Court

Big businesses use forced arbitration to funnel consumers into a secretive process where an arbitrator, often selected by the company, decides the outcome. Over 99 percent of payday loans and 85 percent of private student loans include forced arbitration clauses. Most consumers have no idea these clauses are included in the fine print.