Policy Archives

UK Housing: Sunak Urged To Deregulate & Increase Local Control

Key takeaways: Rishi Sunak faces increasing pressure from Tory MPs who demand a rollback of EU rules, precisely the “nutrient neutrality” requirements, which doesn’t affect the central issue of local governments refusing to permit new housing. Many anticipate these concerns will feature

October 16, 2023

Research

NBER Paper: Mothers’ Health & Education Impact on Newborns

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

October 11, 2023

Politics & Policy·Updates

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

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

October 10, 2023

Uncategorized

Gov. Newsom signed Anti “People are Pollution” Bill (AB 1307)

UC Berkeley’s contentious plan to construct student housing at the historic People’s Park has taken a significant turn for the better with Governor Gavin Newsom’s help. What’s happening: On Sept. 8, Gov. Newsom enacted Assemblymember Buffy Wicks’ AB 1307. This legislation dispenses

September 9, 2023

Uncategorized

Court orders halt to Minneapolis 2040 Plan

Minneapolis’ 2040 comprehensive plan, which had been in effect for the past three years, has been ordered to come to a standstill by a Hennepin County court. Judge Joseph Klein, who was appointed by former Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty in 2009, presiding

September 7, 2023

Analysis

Xi Jinping Thought on Austerity With Chinese Characteristics

In a recently published speech in Qiushi, the Communist Party’s leading journal, Chinese President Xi Jinping voiced his opposition to Western-style stimulus measures, which Former Premier Li Keqiang and other party members share. Why it matters: This decision and its subsequent publication

August 31, 2023

Uncategorized

Housing Affordability: Auckland’s Zoning Reforms a Blueprint for Success

Auckland, New Zealand — The correlation between increasing housing supply and keeping property prices in check has been confirmed by Auckland’s experience with radical zoning reforms. In 2016, a significant shift in zoning laws in New Zealand’s largest city resulted in a

August 30, 2023

white wooden boat adrift at shore under grey cloudy sky

Research

NBER working paper: Demographic Dividend to Demographic Drag

What’s going on: As countries keep aging and aging, regardless of wealth, an aging population is causing problems. Past and current leaders thought an increased working-age share due to aging has boosted economic growth while minimizing investment in schools and other social

August 28, 2023

Satellite Sees Holiday Lights Brighten Cities - United States

Research

NBER Working Paper: Location affects wages

Location, Location, Location by David Card, Jesse Rothstein & Moises Yi, a recent working paper delves into the role of industry factors and geographical location (or lack of one) in shaping wage disparities across commuting zones (CZs) in the United States. The

August 27, 2023

San Diego County, California (NASA, International Space Station, 04/22/13)

Analysis

Silicon Valley “Pronatalists” Are Against Remote Work Despite Boosting Fertility Rates

Research highlights that remote work supports women’s aspirations to start a family and their wish to have children, underscored by a significant uptick in marriage rates and fertility rates. This could cause a long-term surge in fertility rates among younger women if

August 26, 2023

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