Economic Policy Institute

Economic Policy Institute is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization that focuses on economic policy issues, particularly those related to labor markets, income inequality, and social welfare. The institute was founded in 1986 by Thea Lee, Jeff Faux, and Larry Mishel, with the goal of providing research and analysis to inform policy debates. The institute's work is often cited by policymakers, academic researchers, and journalists, including those at The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR. The institute has also collaborated with other organizations, such as the Center for American Progress, Demos, and the National Employment Law Project.

● History

The institute's history dates back to the 1980s, when Jeff Faux, a former United Steelworkers official, and Larry Mishel, an economist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, began discussing the need for a new think tank that would focus on economic policy issues from a progressive perspective. They were joined by Thea Lee, a labor economist who had worked at the AFL-CIO, and together they founded the institute in 1986. The institute's early work focused on issues such as trade policy, labor law, and social security reform, and it quickly gained a reputation as a leading voice on economic policy issues. The institute has also worked with other organizations, such as the Economic Policy Institute of Cambodia, the Institute for Policy Studies (Singapore), and the Australian Institute.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The institute's mission is to provide research and analysis to inform policy debates and to promote economic policy solutions that benefit low- and middle-income families. The institute's objectives include analyzing the impact of economic policy decisions on labor markets, income inequality, and social welfare, and identifying policy solutions that can help to promote full employment, fair wages, and social justice. The institute's work is guided by a commitment to democratic values and a belief in the importance of public investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The institute has also worked with policymakers, such as Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Nancy Pelosi, to promote progressive economic policy solutions.

● Research_and_Publications

The institute publishes a wide range of research reports, policy briefs, and data analysis on topics such as labor market trends, income inequality, and social welfare policy. The institute's research is often cited in academic journals, such as the Journal of Economic Perspectives, The Quarterly Journal of Economics, and the American Economic Review. The institute also publishes a monthly newsletter, The Economic Policy Institute Newsletter, which provides updates on the institute's research and analysis. The institute has also collaborated with other organizations, such as the Brookings Institution, the Urban Institute, and the Center for Economic and Policy Research, to produce research reports and policy briefs.

● Policy_Initiatives

The institute has launched several policy initiatives over the years, including the Economic Policy Institute's Family Budget Calculator, which provides a tool for calculating the cost of living in different parts of the country. The institute has also launched initiatives on topics such as paid family leave, minimum wage policy, and collective bargaining rights. The institute's policy initiatives are often informed by its research and analysis, and are designed to promote progressive economic policy solutions that benefit low- and middle-income families. The institute has also worked with policymakers, such as Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, and Sherrod Brown, to promote progressive economic policy solutions.

● Criticisms_and_Controversies

The institute has faced criticism from some conservative think tanks, such as the Heritage Foundation and the Cato Institute, which have accused the institute of promoting liberal or progressive economic policy solutions. The institute has also faced criticism from some labor unions, which have accused the institute of being too moderate or centrist in its approach to labor policy. Despite these criticisms, the institute remains a respected voice on economic policy issues, and its research and analysis are widely cited by policymakers, academic researchers, and journalists. The institute has also been criticized by economists, such as Greg Mankiw and Tyler Cowen, who have accused the institute of promoting Keynesian economics.

● Notable_Staff_and_Associates

The institute has a number of notable staff and associates, including Larry Mishel, the institute's president, and Heidi Shierholz, the institute's senior economist. The institute has also had a number of notable fellows and research associates over the years, including Joseph Stiglitz, Paul Krugman, and Robert Reich. The institute's staff and associates have published research in a wide range of academic journals, including the Journal of Economic Perspectives, The Quarterly Journal of Economics, and the American Economic Review. The institute has also worked with other organizations, such as the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Federal Reserve, and the International Monetary Fund, to produce research reports and policy briefs. Category:Think tanks based in the United States