UMass Economics in the News
Arin Dube writes column in New York Times where he says recent study of the impact of raising the minimum wage in Seattle on the loss of jobs may not be accurate
Arindrajit Dube, economics, writes a column in The New York Times where he says a recent study of the impact of raising the minimum wage in Seattle from $11 per hour to $13 per hour on the loss of jobs that occurred may not be accurate. Dube says the results of the survey may be due to the difference between the economy in Seattle, with its technology boom and rapidly rising wages, and the rest of the state that has neither of those factors. In a related news story, Dube says more research is needed to determine whether the minimum wage increase in Seattle is set at the right level to protect jobs and raise incomes for low-wage workers. (Willamette Week [Ore.], 7/23/17; San Francisco Chronicle, 7/21/17; New York Times, 7/20/17)
James K. Boyce article “America Last” published on Institute for New Economic Thinking
James Boyce discusses how Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris accord sets the U.S. economy back. Read more….
Gerald C. Friedman’s 2013 report for the Physicians for a National Health Program that calls for an expansion of Medicare to cover all Americans is cited by a columnist arguing against the current Republican health care bill
Gerald C. Friedman, economics, the author of a 2013 report for the Physicians for a National Health Program that calls for an expansion of Medicare to cover all Americans that would generate huge savings in health care costs, is cited by a columnist arguing against the current Republican health care bill before the U.S. House. (Idaho Statesman, 3/21/17)
Robert N. Pollin is interviewed about how proposed cuts to the federal budget suggested by the Trump administration will have a negative impact on efforts to deal with climate change
Robert N. Pollin, Distinguished Professor in Economics and co-director of the Political Economy Research Institute, is interviewed about how proposed cuts to the federal budget suggested by the administration of President Donald J. Trump will have a negative impact on efforts to deal with climate change. Pollin also says the proposed budget cuts will harm most of the non-defense parts of the federal government. (The Real News Network, 3/22/17)
UMass Amherst Economics Department formally opens Crotty Hall, first net-zero building on campus, at ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 22
The UMass Amherst department of economics formally opened Crotty Hall at a ceremony on March 22. The 16,800-square-foot academic building houses 35 offices and four conference rooms. Designed by architect Sigrid Miller Pollin of the architecture department and built with a $10 million gift from an anonymous donor, the building is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes and is the first net-zero building on campus. (Energy Manager Today, 3/24/17; News Office release)