A new study by PolicyLink and the University of Southern California's Program for Environmental and Regional Equity showed that U.S. GDP would expand by $2.1 trillion if racial minorities had equal access to opportunities within the job market.
Janie Boschma of the National Journal discusses the findings of a new report, "The Equity Solution," co-authored by PolicyLink and the University of Southern California. The report examines 150 major metropolitan areas within 50 states, each potentially gaining millions in additional annual revenue if residents of color were on equal footing as white residents in terms of average wages. The report also discusses each metropolitan area’s "root cause of racial inequality—how much of the income gap is attributable to a disparity in wages and how much to unemployment and underemployment.
For example, inequality in Santa Barbara, Calif., is mostly driven by a disparity in wages and could be addressed by raising wages or introducing more better-paying jobs. On the other side of the spectrum is Flint, Mich., where inequality is entirely caused by disparities in employment."
To alleviate these often expensive and deep-rooted social issues, the report’s authors "recommend several lower-cost legislative solutions, such as removing questions about criminal history on job applications, as well as enacting comprehensive immigration reform. But they acknowledge that more costly, high-return investments in public education and job training, as well as enforcement of civil-rights laws, would be necessary in order to make real progress in closing the racial income gap."
To inform individuals on data within their city and state, PolicyLink has also released their online visualization tool, the National Equity Atlas. In addition to providing average citizens knowledge on racial inequality in their home, PolicyLink hopes it will inspire action from government and community leaders.
FULL STORY: Eliminating Racial Income Gaps Would Boost GDP By $2.1 Trillion
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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