In 2013, the Fed showed why fiscal policy is still important
Last year, we got to see whether monetary policy could offset fiscal austerity from Congress.
Wonkblog: economy
What garden hoses, mobile homes and tapas tell us about the economy
The Federal Reserve releases its first Beige Book report for 2014.
Why the world shouldn’t fear the taper
A World Bank report suggests that as the Federal Reserve winds down its stimulus program, it won’t be as painful as many investors have feared.
7 reasons why Congress’s failure to extend unemployment insurance matters
1.3 million workers lost their jobless benefits on Dec. 28 when an emergency program to help the unemployed expired.
Americans believe housing prices will rise, poll says. And they’re ready for it.
Sometimes, the emotions people have about the economy are just as important as the actual data.
No, we don’t spend $1 trillion on welfare each year
Dissecting a common talking point about the war on poverty.
The biggest question facing the U.S. economy: Why are people dropping out of the workforce?
Demographics, a weak labor market, and a rise in disability all play a role. But economists debate the exact mix.
Why was this jobs report so bad? Blame health care, accountants and, uh, the performing arts
The weak jobs number wasn't just about bad weather. These sectors were major culprits.
The unemployment rate fell to 6.7 percent. Don’t celebrate.
The jobs numbers are lousy. But the reality of the economy probably isn't as bad as they appear.
One in three Americans slipped below the poverty line between 2009 and 2011
How many people in the United States are poor? It's a surprisingly tricky question.
The Fed had no idea if the taper would terrify markets
Here's what the new FOMC minutes tell us about the future of monetary policy.
Maybe the U.S. economic recovery isn’t that disappointing, after all
Here's what the latest Reinhart-Rogoff paper tells us about the U.S. economic recovery.
Economists agree: Raising the minimum wage reduces poverty
Economists disagree on lots of things about the minimum wage. Except this point.
2014 will answer this huge question about the U.S. economy
Is the U.S. economic machine broken, or have we just suffered a run of bad luck? This year should provide the answer.
From NASCAR to wind power: Congress just let 55 tax breaks expire
The full array includes everything from a credit for corporate R&D; to tax relief for underwater homeowners.
Here’s what we got right, and wrong, about the economy in 2013
Here's a look at how last year's economic forecasts held up in 2013.
Seven things you should know about the expiration of unemployment benefits
A broader look at why long-term unemployment is still a disaster.
Unemployment benefits for 1.3 million expire Saturday. Here’s why.
A primer on what this emergency unemployment program is, why it's shrinking, and what the arguments for and against renewing it are.
Unemployment benefits for 1.3 million expire Saturday. Here’s why.
A primer on what this emergency unemployment program is, why it's shrinking, and what the arguments for and against renewing it are.
It’s still too early for Congress to stop worrying about unemployment
This is the month that unemployment officially fell off the agenda in Washington. It shouldn't.
