Tag Archives: economics

Job Growth

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CBEI Blog - Job Growth

In January, the Bureau of Economic Analysis released its preliminary estimate for fourth quarter 2023 economic growth in the United States. Economic growth is measured by changes in Gross Domestic Product, which is the value of goods and services produced in a given time period. Although rising interest rates slowed the economy in the first […]

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Social Security – Too Much to Retirees?

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Social Security

2024 will likely be another year of wrangling over government expenditures by Congress. Social Security is the largest government expenditure and expected to grow in the future due to the aging of the American population. Does Social Security pay too much to retirees? This blog provides a quick example of what Social Security typically pays to […]

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2023 Global Stock Market Review

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2023 Global Stock Market Review

2023 began with more pessimism than optimism for global economies and stock markets. Global inflation was rampant in 2022; as a result, central banks around the world began raising interest rates in an effort to battle inflation through lower economic growth and consumer demand. Stock prices reflect expectations of future corporate profitability, so higher interest […]

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Federal Government Spending, Budget Deficits, and The Federal Debt

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Federal Government Spending, Budget Deficits, and The Federal Debt

Funding the federal government (and government shutdowns) has become a hot political topic lately. This blog will explain what the government spends its money on, how the government is financed, and how and why federal debt has increased. Federal Government Spending Federal government spending consists of three major categories: mandatory spending, discretionary spending, and spending […]

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Inflation, Interest Rates and the Labor Market: How They’re Related (or Not)

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Inflation, Interest Rates and the Labor Market: How They’re Related (or Not)

In September, the Federal Reserve decided to keep its target interest rate, the federal funds rate, unchanged. In March 2022, the Federal Reserve began the upward trek for interest rates, with 11 rate increases occurring through August 2023. The objective of the rate increases was to lower consumer and business spending, which in turn would […]

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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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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 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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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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