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Doctor pay and performance

Research

Aug 13, 2013

Are we winning the war on poverty?

One of government’s major functions in recent decades has been to alleviate poverty. Programs such as Medicaid, Social Security, food stamps and many others have a mission to help households with limited resources. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden looks at whether they have actually had any effect on poverty? 

Aug 12, 2013

Searching for Salmonella

A team of North Carolina State University scientists is looking for Salmonella on tomatoes and around tomato production areas. What they find could help farmers grow tomatoes that have a decreased likelihood of carrying Salmonella. 

Aug 12, 2013

The shrinking middle class

The middle class has always dominated the United States. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden considers what the statistics show on the relative size of the middle class over time. 

Aug 9, 2013

North Carolina tax changes

What will the new tax bill mean for North Carolina? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains the major elements of the bill and what effect they’ll have on people and businesses. 

Aug 8, 2013

A new college education proposal

Financing a college education has become a big problem for many students as well as for governments, like North Carolina’s, that help fund higher education. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains the bold new idea for financing college education in Oregon. 

Aug 8, 2013

Making the methane conversion process value-added and eco-friendly

Gourishankar Karoshi, a master’s degree student in biological and agricultural engineering, is exploring a process that takes an abundant greenhouse gas and an abundant agricultural waste product and potentially yields value-added and eco-friendly results. 

Aug 7, 2013

Balancing taxes, spending and growth

The N.C. General Assembly has had a full plate this session. They have considered the state budget, state taxes and policies to promote economic growth and jobs. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden considers how these issues are tied together. 

Aug 6, 2013

The big policy divide

When people look at disagreements among our elected leaders -- whether it’s over the federal budget or state taxes -- many like to say the arguments are all about politics. Mary Walden asks her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden whether he agrees of if he thinks there are other elements to the debates. 

Aug 5, 2013

What’s down with gold?

After a spectacular run for several years, gold’s value is down almost one-third over the past year. Many gold investors are stunned, but should they be? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Aug 2, 2013

Doctor pay and performance

Health-care costs continue to be both the big social and economic issue. One idea to moderate these costs is to tie doctors’ salaries to their performance records. But does the idea have merit? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds.