Economic Opportunity Issues
The rising cost of food, gas and utilities, combined with a lack of stable well-paying jobs, is taking an increasing toll on low- and middle-income families. A recent analysis by the nonpartisan Working Poor Families Project found that between 2002 and 2006, income disparity between America’s highest and lowest earning families increased to almost 10 percent. To address this issue, some experts and advocates have pointed to the need for an increase in the minimum wage and changes in tax policy, including an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. Other researchers and public figures suggest that new job creation policies are the best way to build a bridge to the middle class for low-income families. In this section, Spotlight assembles key research, news and opinion on methods to increase economic opportunity from experts on the issue, policy-makers and the media.
Find the latest academic and government reports on economic opportunity. Click Here >
Read up to date economic opportunity news compiled by Spotlight. Click Here >
Find out what leading national figures, experts and advocates are saying about economic opportunity in these exclusive Spotlight commentaries and newspaper opinion pieces. Click Here >
Check out a compilation of other key resources on the intersection of economic opportunity. Click Here >