Bank Capital and the Coronavirus Crisis
The Federal Reserve must reverse course on costly bank capital mistakes that have increased the vulnerability of the banking system in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
Finance, Competition, and Consumer Protection
Climate Change and Municipal Finance
To address the fact that economic shocks caused by climate change will reduce state and local tax collections and increase infrastructure costs—creating additional risks for municipal bond investors—state and local issuers should adopt new climate risk disclosure standards to ensure accurate risk assessment and bond pricing.
Oversight and Implementation Will Determine the Effectiveness of the New Laws Responding to Coronavirus
The public health and economic recovery hinge on the effective implementation and oversight of Congress’ coronavirus legislation.
The Economic Fallout of the Coronavirus for People of Color
Occupational segregation, employment discrimination, and exploitation make economic downturns, such as the one created by the COVID-19 pandemic, worse in communities of color by destabilizing jobs, undermining small businesses, and increasing income shocks and unexpected expenses.
How Congress Can Help Small Businesses Weather the Coronavirus Pandemic
Any new funding for the Paycheck Protection Program must provide immediate cash to the smallest businesses in order to protect them from the COVID-19 fallout.
Structural Changes Are Needed To Address Coronavirus
Big reforms are necessary to protect public health, mitigate the risks of future outbreaks, and ensure the eventual recovery benefits most Americans.
Industry and Firm Bailouts Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
Conditions on bailouts are necessary to protect workers and the public.
Public Health Requires an Extraordinarily Aggressive Economic Response to Coronavirus Immediately—One That’s Larger Than What Many Imagine
The column recommends an immediate package at least the size of the Recovery Act in 2009—around $1 trillion in today’s dollars.
Climate Change Threatens the Stability of the Financial System
U.S. regulators should protect the financial system from climate-related risks and help facilitate a smooth transition to a greener economy.
Fact Sheet: A Stronger Regulatory Framework for Shadow Banks
Improving the regulation of large, complex, and interconnected shadow banks and their activities would help to protect the economy from another financial collapse.
Tailoring Banking Regulations to Accelerate the Next Crisis
Regulators have taken several actions that needlessly increase the likelihood of another financial crisis.
A Fair Deal for Farmers
Through an analysis of two agricultural markets, this report illuminates the concerning trend of corporate consolidation in agriculture—and the damaging impact this trend has on independent family farms.
Forced Arbitration: What You Need To Know
Forced arbitration agreements make it harder for workers and consumers to challenge predatory practices, wage theft, and discrimination.
Toward a Robust Competition Policy
Entry barriers in many sectors—especially in communications services, health care, and information technology—have created an environment in which firms can earn profits well above competitive levels.
Fact Sheet: Toward a Robust Competition Policy
The rise of firms earning monopolistic returns calls for new policy measures to reduce barriers to entry and increase competition.