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Daily Archives: November 24, 2014

Economic Snapshot: November 2014

Christian E. Weller on the State of the U.S. Economy, Center for American Progress – By Christian E. Weller and Jackie Odum

“Both the economy and jobs remain front and center on the minds of Americans. Considering that the United States is officially in the sixth year of an economic recovery, this would be surprising were it not for the economic data telling us that the nation is going through an unusually weak economic expansion. Economic productivity, which generates the resources for future increases in living standards, has been growing more slowly in this recovery than in any other recovery of at least equal length since World War II. Job growth has therefore been modest and is only now, albeit slowly, picking up steam. Many vulnerable groups struggle with high unemployment rates. Moreover, middle-class incomes are falling, household debt remains high, and the housing market—which generally drives the economy to faster growth after a recession—is consequently still stuck at a relatively low level, holding back economic growth. To make matters worse, governments—federal, state, and local—engaged in wrongheaded austerity measures in the middle of an already weak recovery and further slowed economic growth. This all adds up to an economy caught in the doldrums, leaving middle-class Americans worried about their future.”

Cubewrap Contracts: The Rise of Delayed Term, Standard Form Employment Agreements

Arnow-Richman, Rachel S., Cubewrap Contracts: The Rise of Delayed Term, Standard Form Employment Agreements (November 21, 2014). Arizona Law Review, Vol. 49, No. 637, 2007. Available for download at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2529236 “Modern companies increasingly use standard form agreements, such as arbitration and non-compete agreements, to “contractualize” discrete aspects of their workers’ obligations. Frequently such agreements provided… Continue Reading

FAA to rule soon on increasingly popular use of drones

WSJ – “Highly anticipated federal rules on commercial drones are expected to require operators to have a license and limit flights to daylight hours, below 400 feet and within sight of the person at the controls, according to people familiar with the rule-making process. The drone industry has awaited commercial rules for about six years, hoping… Continue Reading

Market-making and proprietary trading: industry trends, drivers and policy implications

Bank for International Settlements, CGFS Publications No 52 – November 2014 – “Market-makers serve a crucial role in financial markets by providing liquidity to facilitate market efficiency and functioning. This report – prepared by a Study Group chaired by Denis Beau (Bank of France) – assesses changes in the supply of and demand for market-making services as well… Continue Reading

New GAO Reports – Group Purchasing Organizations, Medicare Program Integrity, Defense Logistics, Vaccine Injury Compensation

Group Purchasing Organizations: Funding Structure Has Potential Implications for Medicare Costs, GAO-15-13: Published: Oct 24, 2014. Publicly Released: Nov 24, 2014. Medicare Program Integrity: CMS Pursues Many Practices to Address Prescription Drug Fraud, Waste, and Abuse, GAO-15-66: Published: Oct 24, 2014. Publicly Released: Nov 24, 2014. Defense Logistics: Greater Awareness of Recommendations and Improvements in Data Quality… Continue Reading