Skip to main content
The virtual university

Economic Perspective

Feb 15, 2013

The cost of electronic medical records

A long-standing recommendation for improving our health-care system and reducing costs has been to computerize paper medical records. This could save money by reducing storage space and increase efficiency by facilitating the sharing of that information by health-care professionals. But is there any evidence such outcomes actually occur? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Feb 14, 2013

Borrowing from retirement

A report recently released found Americans have increasingly used funds from their retirement investments for daily expenses – and this is before they have retired. How are they doing it, and is it a good idea? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Feb 13, 2013

Borrowing more

There’s been much attention on the national debt and ways to reduce the government borrowing fueling that debt. But some prominent economists are actually recommending the opposite – more federal borrowing. What is their reasoning? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Feb 12, 2013

Is the ‘new normal’ over?

The term 'new normal,' coined a few years ago, applies to our very slowly improving economy. Some economists are upbeat about the economy and are saying the new normal doesn’t apply. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Feb 11, 2013

Will it end badly?

The Federal Reserve has created a lot of money and kept interest rates very low, in order to support and stimulate the economy. But some worry about the downsides of these actions. Are there any? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Feb 8, 2013

The tax debate begins

Some state General Assembly members have proposed dramatically changing the kinds of taxes we have in North Carolina. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden summarizes the proposal and related issues. 

Feb 7, 2013

Why isn’t the dollar falling?

With all the economic issues in our country, including debates over the federal budget and debt, why isn’t the U.S. dollar sinking in value against foreign currencies? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Feb 6, 2013

Has revising the tax code already begun?

Leading up to last year’s fiscal cliff deadline there was a debate about limiting tax deductions and exemptions. The debate was part of a larger discussion about making substantial revisions to the federal income tax code. Was anything along these lines included in the final fiscal cliff legislation? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Feb 5, 2013

Shadow housing inventory

The housing market registered significant gains in 2012, causing many to proclaim that housing has turned the corner and will continue to improve. But what might be lurking in the economy that could derail this optimistic forecast? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Feb 4, 2013

The virtual university

Information technology has changed so much of our world. Smartphones that almost everyone carries are several times stronger than the first computers we had decades ago. Some think information technology will change the way we obtain education in the future, particularly higher education. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains.