Policy Papers
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March 2014: Policy by the Numbers
The key number for March is unknown. At the end of this month, Obamacare enrollment ends. The Administration’s goal is for 7 million people to enroll, but according to HHS, there is no data to measure how many enrolled people were previously uninsured. Other recent numbers that also have major policy implications: Continue Reading
March 7, 2014
The Obama Malaise: GDP Downgraded
Last week, 2013’s fourth quarter growth was sharply downgraded from the first estimate of 3.2 percent to a more disappointing 2.4 percent. Real GDP in 2013 is now estimated to be just 1.9 percent. This year is off to a rocky start with indicators pointing to 2014 first quarter growth worse than last quarter. President Obama’s economic stewardship has gotten worse, and his growth record shows that the government cannot regulate, tax, and spend its way to prosperity. Obama's Economic... Continue Reading
March 7, 2014
February 2014 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 6.7 percent Unemployed Americans: 10.5 million Employment The Department of Labor reported an unemployment rate of 6.7 percent for February 2014, up 0.1 percent from January. It reported an increase of 175,000 nonfarm jobs over last month. The employment figure for December was revised from 75,000 to 84,000 jobs created, with the figure for January revised from 113,000 to 129,000 new jobs. According to the Wall Street Journal, “February’s job growth... Continue Reading
March 5, 2014
The Obama Budget: Punting on Third Down
On Tuesday, President Obama released a budget that makes no tough choices. He increases spending. He increases taxes to pay for it. He allows the national debt to continue to increase without the slightest reforms. It shouldn’t be this way. The President has three years left in office, yet he has abandoned all pretense of bipartisanship in favor of election year pandering. He has proposed “investments” in programs his base favors and tax increases on businesses that create jobs... Continue Reading
March 5, 2014
March 2014 Policy Calendar
February 25, 2014
Obama Budget Preview: Tax, Spend, & More Gimmicks
Next Tuesday, President Obama is expected to release his fiscal year 2015 budget. It will be 29 days late, but Americans should not expect to see any evidence of leadership. The President’s budget is not expected to make any tough decisions or be in touch with reality any more than it has been in the past. The President’s previous budgets have taken the untenable position that he can increase spending, increase taxes, and increase the debt without any meaningful reforms. Obama... Continue Reading
February 11, 2014
February 2014: Policy by the Numbers
The key number is 2.5 million workers. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the Democrats’ health care law will reduce full-time employment by 2.5 million workers in 2024. Other recent numbers that also have major policy implications. Continue Reading
February 11, 2014
Scathing CBO Scorecard on Obamacare, Economy
Last week the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released its 2014 Budget and Economic Outlook. From Obamacare to the unrestrained national debt, this report serves as a warning of the damage the President’s policies are doing to our country. CBO Confirms Obamacare Discourages Work Before the President signed his health care bill into law, Democrats claimed the proposal would create jobs. Then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi infamously declared: “So this bill is not only about the... Continue Reading
February 11, 2014
Another Disappointing Jobs Report
In December, the Obama Administration announced the worst monthly jobs gain in three years. A month later, the economy added a disappointing 113,000 jobs. Continued weak jobs reports suggest momentum needed to boost our economy has slowed, along with enthusiasm about an economic upturn this year. “Three months in a row would mean the job market is taking a turn for the worst.” -- Stuart Hoffman, Chief Economist, PNC Financial Services, 2/9/14 Continuing Troubles with Labor Force... Continue Reading
February 7, 2014
January 2014 Jobs Report
Unemployment Rate: 6.6 percent Unemployed Americans:10.2 million Labor Force Participation The labor force participation rate is 63.0 percent, an increase of 0.2 percent from last month and remaining near the lowest level in 35 years. The civilian labor force rose by 499,000 in January, after declining by 347,000 in December. Based on a Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) labor market report, the Wall Street Journal anticipates that only one-third of the millions who have dropped... Continue Reading
February 5, 2014
A Very Bad CBO Report for Obama’s Policies
Yesterday the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released its 2014 Budget and Economic Outlook, which outlines its projections for the next 10 years. The laudable, though limited, restraint in discretionary spending over the past couple of years has led to short-term reductions in the deficit. But mandatory spending reform is still badly needed to prevent fiscal calamity. Democrats want people to believe that we do not have a fiscal problem anymore. “[O]ur deficits [have been] cut by... Continue Reading
February 4, 2014
Senate Democrats Fight Obama on Trade, Jobs
President Obama used the State of the Union address to point out that increasing international trade and exports can lead to job growth in the United States. He specifically requested Trade Promotion Authority, which expired in July 2007, in order to carry his words into action. Republicans have proclaimed their readiness to work with the President on this, but unfortunately Democrats—led by Majority Leader Reid—have rejected the call. “I’m against fast-track …... Continue Reading
January 28, 2014
SOTU 2014: What the President Won’t Say
Tonight, President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address to Congress and the American people. He and his advisors have undoubtedly scripted numerous sound bites designed to get standing ovations from the Democrats’ side of the aisle. The President will offer plenty of complaints about Republicans and plenty of excuses about why he has not done a better job. What he is not likely to do is take responsibility for any of his failures, offer a plan to help unemployed Americans by... Continue Reading
January 14, 2014
January 2014: Policy by the Numbers
The key number is 24 percent. According to the Obama Administration, just 24 percent of people who have selected an Obamacare plan are 18-34 years old. The Administration’s goal was 40 percent of people need to be in that age group to prevent a rise in future health insurance premiums. Other recent numbers that have major policy implications. Continue Reading
January 10, 2014
December 2013 Unemployment Report
December 2013 Unemployment Rate: 6.7 percent Unemployed Americans: 10.4 million “Real” Unemployment The “real” unemployment or U-6 rate is 13.1 percent for December 2013, unchanged from last month. This is the total percentage of unemployed and underemployed workers. The “real” number of unemployed Americans is 20.6 million. These are people... Continue Reading
December 10, 2013
December 2013: Policy by the Numbers
The key number last week was 10 percent. According to the Obama Administration, one in 10 enrollees in the federal exchanges will have some type of error. This means people who think they have insurance may not really. Other recent numbers that have major policy implications. Continue Reading
December 6, 2013
November 2013 Unemployment
November 2013 Unemployment Rate: 7.0 percent Unemployed Americans: 10.9 million “Real” Unemployment The “real” unemployment or U-6 rate is 13.2 percent for November 2013, a decrease of 0.6 percentage points. This is the total percentage of unemployed and underemployed workers. The “real” number of unemployed Americans is 20.7 million. These are people who... Continue Reading
November 19, 2013
Policy by the Numbers
Healthcare.gov launched seven weeks ago, and going into this week the White House says there are still 50 priority fixes needed for the website. Now the White House has lowered expectations on the “vast majority of users,” saying “roughly 2-in-10 won’t get through the system.” “That is absurd. First, it’s another broken promise. The president and his advisers responded to the disastrous rollout last month by vowing to deliver an Amazon.com-quality... Continue Reading
November 18, 2013
New Leadership at the FCC
The Senate confirmed Tom Wheeler to be the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and Michael O’Rielly to fill the vacant Republican seat on the Commission on October 29, 2013 by unanimous consent. This gave the FCC a full slate of five commissioners (three Democrats, two Republicans) for last Thursday’s meeting for the first time in nearly six months. “Keep an eye on the Wheeler-O’Rielly relationship. This could be interesting.” --Medley Global... Continue Reading
November 13, 2013
Democrats’ Minimum Wage Gimmicks Cost Jobs
The national unemployment rate is 7.3 percent, with 11.3 million Americans unemployed – the rate has been above seven percent since President Obama took office. The labor force participation rate has sunk to 62.8 percent, the lowest in more than 35 years. And job growth has sputtered all year. Yet, as the country struggles to recover economically, Senate Democrats with misplaced priorities are pushing for an increase in the minimum wage, knowing that it will cost jobs. Their economic... Continue Reading