Policy resources for investing in an equitable economy

The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent recession exposed deep fragilities in the economy, one rife with historically high levels of economic inequality, structural racial inequities, and a porous social safety net. These fragilities continue to exacerbate the economic insecurities caused by decades of declining public investment in infrastructure and people.

That underinvestment perpetuates widespread systemic racism and gender inequities, and leaves the United States unprepared to meet the needs of millions of families and workers. In contrast, the top end of the income and wealth distribution are well-prepared to withstand economic shocks while maintaining and growing their financial assets, and inequality remains even more pronounced.

The U.S. economy isn’t an abstract system—it’s a direct result of the choices that policymakers make. The tools exist to support strong, stable, and broadly shared growth while addressing underlying structural issues, including racial and gender inequities, climate change, and the need for 21st century care infrastructure.

A growing body of research provides a framework for how the federal government can make choices to fully support workers, families, and businesses. The Washington Center for Equitable Growth is producing resources to connect the policymaking community with the most cutting-edge evidence to create a path for an equitable economy.

Coronavirus Recession

Jobs report: a year into the coronavirus recession, employment losses have been greatest for Black women workers and Latinx workers

Inequality & MobilityLabor
Coronavirus Recession

New Great Recession data suggest Congress should go big to spur a broad-based, sustained U.S. economic recovery

Inequality & MobilityTax & Macroeconomics
Coronavirus Recession

How to replace COVID relief deadlines with automatic ‘triggers’ that meet the needs of the U.S. economy

Tax & MacroeconomicsLabor
Coronavirus Recession

Jobs report: Coronavirus recession hits workers in low-wage service industries who need access to the social safety net and effective labor protection enforcement

Inequality & MobilityLabor
Coronavirus Recession

U.S. retail sector’s recession experiences highlight continuing labor market travails

Inequality & MobilityLabor
Coronavirus Recession

Equitable Growth invests in research grants to explore the role of paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave amid the coronavirus recession

FamiliesLabor
Coronavirus Recession

New research shows the impact of 2020 job and income losses on family dynamics and parents’ mental health in vulnerable households

FamiliesInequality & MobilityLabor
Coronavirus Recession

The coronavirus recession continues to threaten low-wage U.S. workers due to stalled jobs recovery

Labor

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