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Federal government shutdowns cause economic distress for tribes

Sep 28, 2023
The U.S. government is obligated by treaty to provide certain services to tribal nations. Shutdowns force tribes to take on those costs.
The headquarters of the Yurok Tribe in Northern California in 2021. During the government shutdown in 2013, the tribe had to furlough about 70 employees.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Is the 'blunt tool' of monetary policy actually just a dull tool?

Apr 7, 2023
Fed rate hikes are kinda starting to slow down the labor market, but unemployment is still very low, and the economy isn't reacting as experts expected.
The unemployment rate is historically low at 3.5%. Increase in travel, boomer retirements and long COVID have kept labor demand high and supply scarce.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Federal agency that oversees unions will get first funding boost in a decade

Dec 28, 2022
The National Labor Relations Board's resources have been stretched thin at a time when union organizing is surging.
The funding increase for the National Labor Relations Board comes at a time of high-profile labor organizing. Above, Starbucks workers on strike in Brooklyn, New York, in November.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

What happens once federal funding to fight COVID ends?

Aug 31, 2022
FDA approved updated boosters Wednesday. The feds have helped cover costs of vaccination and testing as well as public awareness drives.
As funding for COVID dwindles, some communities have reduced outreach and closed some testing and vaccination sites.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP

Big storms are coming. Are we ready?

Jun 1, 2022
Networking plays a huge part in how prepared – and funded – communities can be for disasters.
Trees bend in the tropical storm wind along North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The powerful hurricane made landfall in the United States in the Florida Keys at 9:10 a.m. after raking across the north coast of Cuba.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Renters and landlords face challenges as federal rent assistance money begins to dry up

Dec 6, 2021
Renters and landlords have relied on federal rental assistance money, but by the end of 2021, most of that money could be gone.
Renters aren't the only one with questions as federal relief starts to run out.
Getty Images

How are schools spending federal pandemic relief funds?

Nov 29, 2021
Summer school, tutoring and HVAC replacement are emerging as big areas of spending, says Nic Querolo, of Bloomberg.
Schools are beginning to spend federal COVID-19 relief funds on programs to mitigate learning loss caused by the pandemic.
Michael Loccisano via Getty Images

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Struggling venue operators can finally seize the federal government’s lifeline

Apr 28, 2021
Applications for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant reopened on Monday after a failed launch earlier this month.
Comedian Janee Harvey performs at xBk in Des Moines, Iowa, on April 23. Proprietor Tobi Parks is one of many small business owners applying for a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant.
Photo by Maggie Littel, courtesy of xBk

Why U.S. chipmakers want government help

Feb 16, 2021
The U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association has asked President Biden for robust funding for manufacturing and research.
Roughly only 12% of semiconductor chips are made in the U.S., says C.J. Muse, research analyst with investment banking advisory firm Evercore ISI.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Georgia has looked at what it takes to train some food stamp recipients to meet work requirements

Jul 30, 2018
The House version of the proposed federal farm bill would require parents with children over 6 years old to fulfill a 20-hour work or training requirement to receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. That means nationwide 3 million more people would suddenly need job training. The conundrum, said […]