Economic Policy Institute

Economic Policy Institute
Economic Policy Institute · Public domain · source
Name	Economic Policy Institute
Formation	1986
Type	Think tank
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Region served	United States
Key people	Thea Lee, Heidi Shierholz
Website	[https://www.epi.org epi.org]

Economic Policy Institute

The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) is a think tank that focuses on the economic aspects of public policy and their impact on low- and middle-income workers in the United States. Founded in 1986, EPI is a key player in the national discussion on issues such as minimum wage, labor rights, and income inequality. As a prominent voice in the progressive community, EPI's work is closely tied to the US Civil Rights Movement and its ongoing struggle for social justice and economic equality. EPI's research and analysis have been influential in shaping the policy debates around issues like affirmative action, voting rights, and education reform, often in collaboration with organizations like the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union.

● Introduction to

the Economic Policy Institute The Economic Policy Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that conducts research and analysis on economic issues, with a focus on their impact on working people and their families. EPI's work is centered around the idea that a strong economy should provide opportunities for all, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. To achieve this goal, EPI collaborates with a range of organizations, including labor unions like the AFL-CIO and SEIU, as well as community groups and advocacy organizations like the National Council of La Raza and the Asian American Justice Center. EPI's research has been cited by prominent media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR, and has informed policy debates at the federal, state, and local levels, often in conjunction with government agencies like the US Department of Labor and the Federal Reserve.

● History and Founding

The Economic Policy Institute was founded in 1986 by a group of economists and policy analysts who were concerned about the impact of Reaganomics on working people and their families. The founders, including Barry Bluestone and Robert Kuttner, were influenced by the New Deal policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Great Society programs of Lyndon B. Johnson, and sought to create an organization that would provide a progressive alternative to the dominant neoliberal economic ideology of the time. Since its founding, EPI has grown to become one of the leading think tanks in the United States, with a staff of over 50 researchers, analysts, and communications specialists, and has worked closely with other prominent think tanks like the Brookings Institution and the Center for American Progress.

● Mission and Objectives

The Economic Policy Institute's mission is to promote policies that foster a strong and sustainable economy, with good jobs, decent wages, and benefits for all workers. EPI's objectives include conducting research and analysis on economic issues, providing policy recommendations to policymakers and advocates, and building a more inclusive and equitable economy. To achieve these objectives, EPI focuses on a range of issues, including job creation, wage growth, and income inequality, as well as education and training programs, health care and retirement security, and tax policy and budget issues, often in partnership with organizations like the Economic Policy Institute's Policy Center and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

● Research and Policy Analysis

The Economic Policy Institute conducts research and analysis on a wide range of economic issues, using a variety of methods, including economic modeling, data analysis, and case studies. EPI's research has focused on issues such as the minimum wage, paid sick leave, and paid family leave, as well as collective bargaining and labor rights, and has been influential in shaping policy debates at the federal, state, and local levels, often in collaboration with universities and research institutions like Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley. EPI's research has also been cited by prominent media outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, and has informed policy decisions by government agencies like the US Department of Labor and the Federal Reserve.

● Connection to

the US Civil Rights Movement The Economic Policy Institute's work is closely tied to the US Civil Rights Movement and its ongoing struggle for social justice and economic equality. EPI's research and analysis have focused on issues such as racial disparities in employment and wages, as well as discrimination in hiring and promotion practices, often in partnership with organizations like the NAACP and the National Urban League. EPI has also worked to promote policies that address these disparities, such as affirmative action and equal pay legislation, and has collaborated with other prominent organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Human Rights Campaign.

● Impact on Labor and Social Justice

The Economic Policy Institute's work has had a significant impact on labor and social justice issues in the United States. EPI's research and analysis have informed policy debates on issues such as minimum wage and overtime pay, as well as collective bargaining and labor rights, and have helped to shape the national conversation on issues like income inequality and economic mobility. EPI's work has also been influential in promoting policies that benefit low- and middle-income workers, such as paid sick leave and paid family leave, and has collaborated with organizations like the AFL-CIO and the SEIU to advance the interests of working people, often in conjunction with government agencies like the US Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board.

● Criticisms and Controversies

The Economic Policy Institute has faced criticisms and controversies over the years, particularly from conservative and libertarian groups who disagree with EPI's progressive policy agenda. Some critics have accused EPI of being too closely tied to labor unions and liberal interest groups, while others have questioned the methodology and findings of EPI's research, often citing alternative perspectives from organizations like the Cato Institute and the Heritage Foundation. Despite these criticisms, EPI remains a respected and influential voice in the national policy debate, and its research and analysis continue to shape the conversation on issues like economic inequality and social justice, often in collaboration with other prominent think tanks like the Brookings Institution and the Center for American Progress.