Stop Population Decline

Zoning Reform: St. Paul Delays Reform Bill To Add Amendment

October 11, 2023

The St. Paul City Council is set to reexamine a zoning reform bill on Oct. 18th that could pave the way for duplexes and denser developments. This decision comes after an amendment by Council Member Rebecca Noecker, allowing a two-foot height increase

Research

NBER Paper: Mothers’ Health & Education Impact on Newborns

October 11, 2023

Introduction A new NBER working paper (Intergenerational Transmission of Inequality: Maternal Endowments, Investments, and Birth Outcomes by Sadegh Eshaghnia & James J. Heckman) uses models to analyze the impact of mothers’ characteristics (primary mothers’ health and education) on the likelihood of a baby being

Politics & Policy·Updates

Italy’s Birth Rate: Meloni Likely Focus on Tax Cuts over Families

October 10, 2023

Italy’s 2024 budget is in the works. A major concern? Italy’s birth rate fell faster than Japan’s. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has championed the ‘traditional’ family, but will the new budget reflect that commitment? Most likely not with her current actions. Why it matters: Italy’s birth

Updates

AB 309: Newsom Vetoes Social Housing Bill in California

October 8, 2023

The California Legislature proposed a solution to the state’s severe housing problem. More than two in five households in California spend over 30% of their income on housing. Assemblymember Alex Lee introduced AB 309, a bill named the “Social Housing Act”, which was

Lightning Over China and Taiwan (NASA, International Space Station, 07/27/14)

Updates

China’s Declining Birth Rates: Maternity Wards Are Closing

October 7, 2023

What’s happening Several hospitals in China have closed or downsized their obstetrics units. This has reignited worries about China’s declining birth rates. Why it matters In 2022, China saw only 9.56 million births. This is nearly a 10% decline from 2021. Predictions

Archive: Aurora Over Alaska (NASA, International Space Station, 02/19/12)

Research

Alaska’s Universal Cash Transfer Improves State’s Child Welfare

October 7, 2023

Big picture on cash transfers Direct cash transfers in the early stages of a child’s life, such as Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), have been revealed in a NBER working paper (Effects of Universal and Unconditional Cash Transfers on Child Abuse and

Updates

SB-616 Signed: California’s Workers Get 2 More Paid Sick Leave Days

October 5, 2023

Big Picture: California’s workers are set to receive five paid sick days annually starting in 2024, a move propelled by the signing of Senate Bill 616 (SB-616) by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Why it matters: The decision elevates the previous mandate of three paid sick days. With

drone shot of the ambassador bridge over the detroit river

Updates

Michigan’s Industries Form Coalition Against Paid Leave (SB-332) & Workers’ Bills

October 4, 2023

Michigan’s labor tensions are reaching a boiling point. Workers in the automotive and healthcare sectors are pushing for increased rights, fair wages, and improved working conditions. At the same time, industry leaders and GOP state leadership rallied to block legislative developments such as Paid Leave

Research

Italy’s Population Decline: Causes & Consequences

October 2, 2023

Italy’s population decline and aging in municipalities have developed distinct trends over the past five decades. A recent study (Demographic sustainability in Italian territories: The link between depopulation and population ageing by Cecilia Reynaud & Sara Miccoli) reveals intriguing patterns and correlations,

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