State Legislative Roundup: Sour Economy Limits Options In ’08
In a special to the Pew Research Center, Stateline.org provides its annual look at legislative accomplishments. It finds lawmakers shying away from major expansions of public health programs or preschool classes, short on highway funding and predicting even worse financial woes ahead.
Global Economic Gloom — China and India Notable Exceptions
Although views of the U.S. remain negative, and many now worry about the US economy’s impact on their nations, the U.S.’s favorable ratings have increased modestly since 2007 in 10 of 21 countries with comparative data. People around the world are following the U.S. election closely – and in most places surveyed, express greater confidence in Obama than in McCain.
Latino Labor Report, 2008: Construction Reverses Job Growth for Latinos
The slump in the construction industry has taken a heavy toll on Latino workers. From a historic low in late 2006, the unemployment rate for Latinos rose sharply in 2007 and currently stands well above the rate for non-Latinos. Immigrant Latino workers have been hit especially hard.
Hard Hats See Hard Times
While the latest statistics reported fewer job losses than analysts expected, the public is expressing increasing concern about job availability; but unlike in the 1992 downturn, such worries are concentrated in the lower portions of the income spectrum.
You’re Laid Off
At a time when the U.S. economy is faltering, one out of every seven U.S. workers — especially those who have already hit hard times in the recent past — fear they will be laid off in the next 12 months.
Inside the Middle Class: Bad Times Hit the Good Life
A new Pew Social Trends study finds that fewer Americans now than at any time in the past half century believe they’re moving forward in life. But at the same time, two-thirds say they have a higher standard of living than their parents had.
Dismal Views of the National Economy : It’s the Inflation, Stupid
Public satisfaction with the state of the nation is about as low as it has been in 20 years of Pew polling; but optimism about the future rises somewhat.
States Besieged by Budget Woes
Already, 22 states have a collective budget shortfall of at least $37 billion; if the current slowdown follows the path of previous recessions, 35 to 40 states could face budget cuts in 2009.
Financial Woes Overshadow All Other Concerns For Journalists
A new survey of national and local reporters, producers, editors and executives finds soaring economic woes eclipse traditional worries about quality of coverage and credibility.
Economic Discontent Deepens As Inflation Concerns Rise
Public views of the U.S. economy, already quite negative, have plummeted since January. Just 17% currently rate the nation’s economy as excellent or good, down from 26% last month.
