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How low can the unemployment rate go?

Research

May 25, 2012

Social Security problems

Each year the trustees of the Social Security system issue a report on the system’s financial condition. The 2012 report is out, and N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says the news it contains is not good. 

May 24, 2012

The bio-economy

Recently the federal government outlined a strategy for developing and expanding something called the bio-economy. What exactly is the bio-economy, and why is it important? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

May 23, 2012

Watching interest rates

Interest rates are one of the key factors in the economy. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden tells where they are now – and where they might be headed. 

May 22, 2012

CEFS receives regional Magrath Award

Two North Carolina land-grant universities affiliated with the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) – N.C. State University and N.C. A&T State University –were among those named regional winners of the C. Peter Magrath University Engagement Award for 2012, presented by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). 

May 22, 2012

A budget idea

Most people know the federal government has big budget issues, including the recent significant growth in the national debt. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden takes a look at one simple idea to address the budget that might have wide appeal. 

May 21, 2012

Smaller education gains

Since World War II generations in the United States have successively gotten better educated. Economists say this is a big factor in standard-of-living improvements over the last 60 years. But N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says this trend is beginning to change. 

May 18, 2012

Can we stop high gas prices?

Gas prices are clearly hitting people in their wallets and pocketbooks. They also have to potential to stall the economy. Is there anything we can do to push prices down? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

May 17, 2012

Unemployment confusion

Many people have questions about how unemployment and the unemployment rate are calculated each month. Issues have arisen about the tie-in to unemployment benefits -- whether self-employed workers and others are included. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden helps clear up the confusion. 

May 16, 2012

Solving TBTF

The issue of TBTF -- or too big to fail -- is at the crux of our recent recession. The recession threatened our financial system and led to government help for many bank and financial institutions, but critics say the expectation of this government backstop motivated many in the financial sector to take big risks and this behavior contributed to the recession in the first place. Is there an easy way to resolve this issue? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

May 15, 2012

How low can the unemployment rate go?

The unemployment rate is finally going in the right direction -- down. But it is still uncomfortably high, being over 8 percent nationally and higher than 9 percent in North Carolina. Do economists have any estimates of just how far the rate can be pushed down? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds.