Category Archives: Center for Business and Economic Insight

Economic Update – Spring 2023

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Kevin Bahr

The economic ups and downs of 2022 continued through spring 2023. Inflation remains relatively high, but decreasing, interest rates continue to climb, the labor market remains strong, and slowing economic growth fostered uncertainty regarding future growth. In addition, spring 2023 witnessed a major bank failure and continues to endure the unresolved debt ceiling saga. This […]

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CBEI Central Wisconsin Spring 2023 Report

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Lyna Matesi

Is it Spring yet? by Scott Wallace, Ph.D.Director and Editor, Center for Business and Economic Insight; Professor of EconomicsUW-Stevens Point School of Business and Economics Presentation Photos As I look out of the window on the last day of April, a wintry of mix of precipitation is falling over the Central Wisconsin countryside. This reminds […]

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The Silicon Valley Bank Collapse

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Silicon Valley Bank

On Friday, March 10, 2023, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) became the second largest bank to fail in the United States. Silicon Valley Bank was uniquely positioned as a financial institution, as its client base was comprised of primarily tech companies and venture capital firms. According to Reuters, SVB was an important lender for companies in […]

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UW-Stevens Point student presents income inequality findings at Research in the Rotunda

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Junior Kyle Pulvermacher with UW System President Jay Rothman and Professor of Economics Scott Wallace

How does a college education impact income inequality? University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point junior Kyle Pulvermacher took on this question as part of research he presented at the UW System Research in the Rotunda event on March 8 in Madison. [View Photos] Held at the State Capitol, the event invites undergraduates from across the UW System […]

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The Housing Market and Interest Rates

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The Housing Market and Interest Rates

Overview 2023 began with much speculation about the economy. Would there be a recession? Would economic growth continue leading to a soft landing? The Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in 2022 to reduce consumer and business spending to combat inflation. The Federal Reserve tries to accomplish this goal through targeting the “federal (fed) funds […]

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The National Sales (Flat) Tax

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The National Sales (Flat) Tax

Recently there has been a lot of buzz about implementing a form of flat tax, a 30% national sales tax, to replace the current tax structure. This blog provides a simple (yet realistic) example to demonstrate the implications for taxpayers if the currently proposed federal national sales tax of 30% was implemented. Prior to the […]

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The 2023 U.S. Debt Ceiling

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The 2023 U.S. Debt Ceiling

Overview First, a few definitions. The federal budget deficit refers to the amount U.S. federal government spending exceeds government income. To finance a budget deficit, the government borrows money from the public through the issuance of U.S. government debt called U.S. Treasury securities. The Total Public (Federal) Debt Outstanding represents the total (principal) amount of Treasury securities […]

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CBEI Central Wisconsin Fall 2022 Report

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Scott Wallace, Kevin Bahr, Caz McChrystal

An Uncertain Year Ahead As we bid adieu to 2022, our thoughts turn to the upcoming year. We at the CBEI hope that the contents of this publication can help shed light on some of the challenges and opportunities for the uncertain year ahead. [Presentation Photos] In The U.S. Economy and Inflation in 2023, Chief […]

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The U.S. Economy and Inflation in 2023

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Kevin Bahr

Overview No economic issue was more politicized in the November elections than inflation. It was one of the most important issues to voters, and the most important economic issue. In a rare show of unity, both Democrats and Republicans agreed that inflation was a problem. However, specific short-term solutions to current inflation were more problematic […]

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The Social Security Conundrum

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The Social Security Conundrum

Social Security has been in the news recently, as the topic has again become a subject of political discussion. The conundrum – while workers have paid into the Social Security system for many years expecting to receive a certain level of benefits, the money may not be there when they retire. Social Security – Who […]

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