Community Development: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell, At The 2021 Just Economy Conference Sponsored By The National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Washington, D.C. (via webcast) Date
Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to be with you today.
Together, over the past year, we have been making our way through a very difficult time. We are not out of the woods yet, but I am glad to say that we are now making real progress. While some countries are still suffering terribly in the grip of COVID-19, the economic outlook here in the United States has clearly brightened. Vaccination levels are rising. Fiscal and monetary policy are providing strong support. The economy is reopening, bringing stronger economic activity and job creation.
Over Two-Thirds of Voters Cast 2020 Ballots Early or by Mail: Census Bureau
Newly released survey data from the Census Bureau found that over two-thirds of voters cast their ballots by mail or before election day for the 2020 presidential election.
The bureau found that 69 percent of voters nationwide took advantage of the expansion of mail and early voting options in numerous states a significant jump over the previous election. In 2016, about 40 percent of voters cast their ballots through these non-traditional methods, according to figures released this week.
The survey, a supplement of the Current Population Survey, found that the increase in non-traditional voting was driven by mail-in voting more than doubling to 43 percent. Some states such as New Jersey mailed out ballots to all eligible voters during the 2020 election. Such election regulation changes were reflected in the survey results where the percentage of voters opting for early or by mail options increased expone
State of Working Georgia: Pandemic Job Numbers Are Improving, But Inequitably
Key Takeaways:
Nearly 60 percent of Georgia’s pre-pandemic labor force have turned to the unemployment safety net at some point during the last year.
In February 2021, unemployment claims for Black Georgians were 52 percent higher than those of all other filers, and 71 percent higher than those of white Georgians alone.
Hispanic and Black women have experienced at least 15 percent underemployment since the pandemic, while underemployment for Black men was 18 percent in the first quarter of 2021, more than any other group in Georgia’s workforce.
Recent historic federal stimulus packages have extended critical unemployment safety net programs, provided immediate cash aid to millions of employed and unemployed Georgians and provided state and local funding to jumpstart Georgia’s recovery. As a result, state lawmakers have an opportunity to target federal and state funding to rebuild Georgia’s econ
Quixada Moore-Vissing: Strengthening democracy starts with better monitoring of our civic healthrtoons
Summary: We are staring into the face of unprecedented political polarization, with rising calls for white supremacy as well as intensifying movements for racial equity. At the same time, our population faces the challenge of reentering public life after more than a year of social isolation.
Written By:
Quixada Moore-Vissing, The Fulcrum | 9:00 am, Apr. 30, 2021 ×
The events of the past year including the pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests and the insurrection in the Capitol have shown our nation what happens when we don t address civic challenges or risk factors.
Published April 28. 2021 8:41PM
Alex Tanzi, Bloomberg News
U.S. college enrollment dropped to the lowest level in almost two decades last year, as the pandemic shut down schools and persuaded students to put their academic plans on hold rather than pay large sums to attend online-only classes.
As of October, 62.7% of high school graduates in the class of 2020 were enrolled in colleges or universities, the smallest share since 2001 and down from 66.2% in 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Tuesday.
It’s been more than a year since schools sent students home to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Most colleges held some form of virtual classes instead, and those with in-person instruction often imposed a restrictive environment to keep students safe. The industry has taken a financial hit, though there are signs that applications will bounce back in 2021.