November 2013

Nov 11, 2013

What’s the debt limit?

The question of raising the debt limit has occupied the nation’s attention for several weeks. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains what it's about. 

Nov 8, 2013

Elements of the Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act, some call it Obamacare, is being rolled out. There are strong feelings, both pro and con, about this program. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden gives a broad view of what the legislation is designed to do. 

Nov 8, 2013

YOU DECIDE: Does the cost-of-living vary by where you live?

There are no official cost-of-living rates for states and most localities, but there are ways to determine cost-of-living. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Nov 7, 2013

Impact of disability payments on labor force

The percentage of the working age-population either working or looking for work is at a 35-year low. Economists have been scrambling to try to explain this trend, and one factor they have focused on is the rise in individuals who have qualified for Social Security disability payments. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains what this means. 

Nov 6, 2013

A change we can agree on

The new national health care system has sparked intense debate and disagreements, but there's one program provision that most people can agree with, says N.C. State University economist Mike Walden. 

Nov 5, 2013

New scholarship honors J.C. Whitehurst Jr., visionary agribusinessman

The late J.C. Whitehurst Jr. of Greenville was honored Nov. 1 with the creation of an annual scholarship in his name by Coastal AgroBusiness Inc., the company he founded. 

Nov 5, 2013

Hightower receives NCSU Libraries Faculty Award

Dr. Joseph E. Hightower, professor of applied ecology and assistant leader of the NC Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, is a 2013 recipient of the NCSU Libraries Faculty Award. 

Nov 5, 2013

Firm size and the recession

The recession hurt virtually every household and every business in the country. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden considers which businesses were hurt the most. 

Nov 4, 2013

Extended jobless benefits and unemployment

A debate about unemployment benefits' impact on the unemployment level has raged for a long time. Some worry that providing longer periods of benefits discourages recipients from looking for jobs and causes the unemployment rate to be higher. N.C. State University economist MIke Walden explains what some newly published research has to say on the topic. 

Nov 1, 2013

Government and the economy

The recent federal government shutdown has revived debates about the impact of the government's size on the economy. One side says larger government gets in the way of the economy and slows growth. But another viewpoint argues government spending is vital to keep the economy growing improving lives and insuring fairness. N.C. State University economist explores what research tells us about the topic.