Author: Dee Shore

Nov 15, 2010

North Carolina cities score

The Milken Institute annually puts out a report ranking major metropolitan areas in terms of job growth and salaries. In the 2010 report, several North Carolina cities ranked well. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden hits the highlights. 

Nov 12, 2010

Pros and cons of more inflation

There’s a report that the Federal Reserve wants to create more inflation in the economy. But why? Isn’t inflation bad for everyone? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Nov 11, 2010

Is there a tipping point?

Governments all around the world have increased their debt in order to fight the recession. There is a growing concern this debt may have a cost in the form of slower economic growth. N.C. Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden explains that there is a point at which this cost kicks in. 

Nov 10, 2010

Job update

The latest national job report didn't bring good news. The number of jobs decreased. But N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says there is a silver lining. 

Nov 9, 2010

The cost of college dropouts

More people are going to college, but all aren't finishing. Almost 30 percent of college freshmen don't make it to their second year. And only 60 percent of students graduate from a four-year college within six years. North Carolina Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden says this poses a major cost to the country. 

Nov 8, 2010

Pay and productivity

Workers like to get paid what they are worth, and throughout our history there does seem to have been a link between how productive a worker is and his or her pay. But I understand that link has recently broken. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Nov 5, 2010

The Fed to the rescue?

The economy is still not improving the way most people would like. Consequently, the Federal Reserve recently announced a new program called quantitative easing to stimulate economic growth. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Nov 4, 2010

The biggest salary gainers

There are at least two characteristics of a job that are important: the salary and the prospects for increases in the salary. In today's Economic Perspective, N.C. Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden focuses on salary gains, discussing which jobs had the best salary gains in the last decade. 

Nov 3, 2010

Women pick up the slack

Millions of workers lost their jobs or had their incomes cut during the recession. This has forced families to make dramatic changes to keep their finances above water. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden discusses one of the biggest changes we've seen. 

Nov 2, 2010

Understanding the tax-cut debate

There's a big national debate about taxes -- specifically, whether to extend some tax rate reductions that were made in the early 2000s. One recommendation is to extend the cuts for all but the very highest income-tax payers. specifically those making more than $250,000 in taxable income annually. North Carolina Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden explains what such a hike would mean.