Author: Dee Shore

Jan 14, 2016

You Decide: Should North Carolina borrow to build?

North Carolinians are being asked to consider a big mortgage for the state. Totaling $2 billion, the mortgage would allow the state to build a variety of projects, including university and community college facilities, water and sewer infrastructure and recreational offerings. There are two key questions for voters to ponder: First, is mortgage financing appropriate? Second, are the projects worthy? 

Jan 11, 2016

Pardue named dean at University of Georgia

Dr. Samuel Pardue, associate dean and director of academic programs for NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has been named the new dean and director of the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. 

Jan 11, 2016

Using bonds for public projects

North Carolina voters will soon make decisions on giving the state authority to issue bonds for educational facilities and other projects. NC State University economist Mike Walden explains what bonds are and how they work. 

Jan 10, 2016

Economist paints positive economic picture for North Carolina in 2016

One of the state’s leading economists paints an upbeat picture for North Carolina in 2016. In his latest quarterly outlook report, released this week, NC State University’s Mike Walden predicts that the state’s economy will continue to outperform the nation, generating more income and more jobs. 

Jan 4, 2016

How much do workers value future benefits?

Many workers are paid in two ways: They get a periodic salary as well as benefits such as vacation time, health insurance and retirement contributions. How do workers compare the value of today's salary versus the value of tomorrow's benefits? NC State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Dec 30, 2015

You decide: Will the economy improve in 2016?

This is the time of year when economists shine – or at least they try to. The early weeks of a new year are always the period when College of Agriculture and Life Sciences economist Mike Walden receives the largest number of speaking requests. "Even if people know my colleagues and I have cloudy – some say foggy with hot air (!) – crystal balls, they still want to know what we’re thinking about the future," he writes in his latest You Decide column. 

Dec 28, 2015

Should we fear deflation?

Several countries have been experiencing deflation. This means that prices, on average, have been falling. In the United States, there has been aversion to deflation, because it evokes the image of falling prices and falling wages from both depressions and recessions. Should we try to avoid it? NC State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Dec 21, 2015

Responses to a higher minimum wage

Efforts to increase the minimum wage are taking place around the country, including here in North Carolina. Workers in minimum-wage jobs benefit from a higher wage rate, but some say there are downsides related to the impact on prices and to employment in minimum wage jobs. NC State University economist Mike Walden considers the evidence. 

Dec 17, 2015

Congratulations, graduates

Each December excitement builds across campus as the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ soon-to-be graduates parade in red robes and graduate degree candidates don their black robes and hoods for the university’s commencement ceremony. This fall, CALS awarded associate degrees to 41 students in the Agricultural Institute, as well as 173 bachelor's, 65 master's and 32 doctoral degrees. 

Dec 14, 2015

Who owns the national debt?

The national debt has topped $18 trillion. There's a perception that most of this money is owed to foreign investors, but as NC State University economist Mike Walden explains, this isn't the case.