Content categorized as Economy

The gig economy’s latest adversary: inflation

During a period of inflation, people are motivated to join the gig economy for extra income to cover rising expenses. Inflation simultaneously engenders and exacerbates fiscal obstacles for gig workers.

D.C. raises minimum wage to $16.10

D.C. raised its minimum wage to $16.10 on July 1, making it higher than any state in the country.

Two years, no change: Workers say DOES is “failing DC”

D.C. workers applying for unemployment insurance still report long wait times and late pay, as DOES slowly modernizes their application system.

Cold world

Reggie Jones reflects on the state of the world.

The pandemic utility shutoff moratorium expired in October. Here’s how to get utility assistance in DC

Even as STAY D.C. applications are closed and the city has lifted its utility moratorium, residents still have access to myriad resources to help pay for their utilities this winter.

DC programs connect job seekers and employers during national hiring struggles

Employers nationwide in service and low-skilled industries have struggled to find willing workers for many reasons, including remaining fear of COVID-19. Job seekers have struggled to keep up with skill requirements and balance family care needs. Local D.C. programs are working hard to bridge the gap between the two by placing applicants into reliable jobs.

Poverty in 2021 looks different than in 1964 – but the U.S. hasn’t changed how it measures who’s poor since LBJ began his war

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson famously declared war on poverty. Up until this point, the U.S. had no official measure of poverty and therefore no statistics on its scope, shape or changing nature. Author and professor Mark Robert Rank discusses his book Confronting Poverty and how the approach that the government came up with in the 1960s is still its official measure of poverty, used to determine eligibility for hundreds of billions of dollars in federal aid.

Starving for Stimulus Help

Vendor Jeffrey McNeil offers commentary on the United States’ economic priorities.

Race May Determine Unemployment

Reporting on findings that indicate minorities are being affected the most by the economic recession.

A Strategy Both Parties Can Get on Board

Douglas E. Schoen shares his opinions on how the federal government could unify for the betterment of the economy.

Homeless Job Seekers Battling the Odds

Opinion reporting on the increased difficulties faced by those experiencing homelessness as they try to secure employment and re-entry.

Needed: Fewer Guns, More Butter

Opinion reporting on the spending priorities of the U.S. Government.

Baking Up Answers

A Street Sense interview with Economist Dean Baker on the economy – what went wrong and how to fix it.

Street Papers: Surviving on a Shoestring

Laura Thompson Osuri shares about her experience at the North American Street Newspaper Association conference.

D.C. Seeks Homeless Views on Stimulus

Reporting on responses from various interest groups as well as those experiencing homelessness on how the District should spend its federal stimulus.

Stimulus Dollars Target Homelessness

Reporting on the “landmark” $1.5 billion earmarked for homelessness prevention in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

New Year, New President and New Challenges

Maurice King offers thoughts on tempering expectations and hoping for the best as the Obama Administration begins.

A Homeless Guide to the Recession

Artist/Vendor Jeffery McNeil offers some advice on how to cope through the recession.

As Economy Worsens, the Homeless are Counted

Reporting on the 2009 point-in-time enumeration sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, which is intended to provide an annual snapshot of the homeless population in Washington and its suburbs.

Obama Urged to Stem Rise in Homelessness

In-depth reporting on requests to President Obama to take action to stop the increase in homelessness across the United States,