Category Archives: Politics

The Future of Virtual and Augmented Reality Technology and the Metaverse
Politics

The Future of Virtual and Augmented Reality Technology and the Metaverse

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Executive Summary   Building off the well-established infrastructure and economy of the gaming industry, tech companies are looking to make the jump to the next chapter of the internet based in Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) technology.   Implementation of VR/AR technology within the metaverse will come with social and ethical implications, necessitating an attentive eye to how it is changing society and a commitment to developing appropriate policy actions.  The long-term salience of this discussion will be determined by the practicality of this … Continue reading →

Politics

Gig Workers and the Debate Over California’s Proposition 22

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Introduction Over the course of the pandemic, many Americans turned to app-based food-delivery services at unprecedented levels. The Wall Street Journal reported that between March-April 2020, as many localities imposed lockdowns or individuals themselves decided to self-quarantine, new customer acquisitions by food-delivery services increased from 19,810 to 33,376 customers. This sharp increase in business for app-based delivery … Continue reading →

The Supply Chain Crisis Extends Far and Wide 
Economy / Labor Force / Politics

The Supply Chain Crisis Extends Far and Wide 

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Executive Summary  Failures in the supply chain can be detected along virtually every aspect of the process; some existed before COVID-19, while others were caused by the pandemic.  It is unclear how long these problems will persist; especially as demand increases through the holiday season.  The United States Department of Transportation attempted to address these issues by expanding the capacity and efficiency of … Continue reading →

Education / Labor Force / Politics

A Closer Look at the Rising Popularity of Apprenticeships and the Decrease in College Enrollment

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Introduction Over the past decade, college enrollment has been on the decline while participation in apprenticeship programs has grown. The U.S. Department of Labor defines an apprenticeship as “an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a nationally-recognized, portable credential.” Many … Continue reading →

Yes, “Gig City’s” Public Broadband is Fast, but its Economic Future is Questionable  
Economy / Politics / Technology

Yes, “Gig City’s” Public Broadband is Fast, but its Economic Future is Questionable  

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Executive Summary  The impacts of Covid-19 will continue to elicit conversation about funding municipal broadband projects, so we must be aware of the long-term financial obligations associated with these programs.     Chattanooga’s public broadband produces speeds much faster than the national average, but the economic responsibility looms far into the future.   The financial structure of the Electric Power Board’s public broadband will be difficult to duplicate, so the Chattanooga program should not be used as … Continue reading →

Politics

Exploring the Atlantic Divide in Antitrust: Consumer Welfare v. Abuse of Dominance

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Introduction The US antitrust standard has long been dictated by common law derived from the court system’s interpretation of “monopoly” behavior prescribed by Section 2 of the Sherman Act. From this jurisprudence, the US has upheld the consumer welfare standard of antitrust, placing a premium on innovation and efficiency that benefits consumers. Across the Atlantic, … Continue reading →

Politics

Quit Rates and the Crisis of Disrespect

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In this era of unprecedented labor market activity, in which job openings are skyrocketing, wages are rising, and fewer workers are transitioning from unemployment to employment, there have been several developments that have exacerbated these seemingly contradictory trends.  Although much of the story surrounding the current labor market has been focused on the barriers to … Continue reading →

Politics

Congress Looks to Expand Opportunity Zones, But Should They?

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By Rose Laoutaris Introduction Last month, Rep. Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) introduced the Expanding Opportunity Zones Act of 2021. This bill would increase the number of low-income communities designated as Opportunity Zones (OZs), “economically distressed” communities that receive tax advantages. These exist in every state, and deferred tax savings range from 25  to 30 percent. The … Continue reading →

Politics

Patient Adherence in Chronic Illness

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Introduction  In the chronic illness sphere, patient adherence to prescribed medications is a major predictor of successful outcomes. Previous studies have shown that 50-60 percent of patients with chronic illnesses miss doses, take the wrong dosages, or withdraw from treatment in the first year after being diagnosed. Lack of medication adherence is associated with poorer health outcomes, and 125,000 deaths each year in the … Continue reading →