President Obama pledged in his State of the Union address to make jobs his top priority. His budget proposal reflects that focus with a $100 billion plan to spur job creation. Urban Institute research and perspectives on employment and workforce development can inform the debate on how to encourage job growth and put Americans back to work. read more
Fellow Rudy Penner describes how the budget is prepared by the executive branch and Congress, and how it is implemented. The preparation process could be improved, he asserts, but implementation works smoothly and efficiently. The severe long-run budget problem the country faces is caused by only three spending programs: Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—all of which are growing faster than the economy. How can the process better handle these challenges? read more
As President Obama lays out his priorities in his budget and his first State of the Union address, our researchers look ahead to the nation's most pressing needs over the next 10 years. In the latest installment of our popular hard questions feature, we asked our experts, what should policymakers tackle over the next decade? read more
President Obama recently announced new proposals designed to help middle-class families. From child care to elder care, IRAs and tax credits, Urban Institute research pinpoints families' most pressing needs and provides the context needed to evaluate the administration's new initiatives. read more
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