Dead rich people who want lower taxes. Plus: School equity, undercounting unemployment, health reform answers, economy boosters, and caring for mom and dad
In the battle over the federal estate tax, the latest issue of Rolling Stone drops some names: Seattle Times publisher Frank Blethen, Senators Murray and Cantwell, and Representative Jim McDermott all get ink. (Hat tip Publicola, which did beat Rolling Stone to this on a couple of counts already.)
Schooooool’s out…for summah! Goldy tackles equity, access and money in Seattle’s neighborhood schools - and spells out why the sorry state of Washington’s tax structure means parents and students are paying more for college.
Undercounting unemployment: Both Schmudget and Joe Turner at the News Tribune take a closer look at the traditional unemployment stats, which count those looking for work who can’t find it, and find that if you include those who have given up looking for work, the rate is much higher: 15.8% in Washington State, and 16.4% nationally, to be exact.
Big questions, clear answers on health care reform: Is “socialized” the same as “single-payer”? What is the “public option”? And who’s going to pay? If you’re looking for clear answers to complicated questions, Ezra Klein has you covered.
Economic stimulus in unexpected places: Yesterday EOI staffer Gary Burris pointed out how increasing Social Security benefits would boost economic growth. Today DMI Blog highlights new research the Economic Policy Institute showing the stimulative impact of raising the minimum wage.
Who’ll Care for Aging Adults? The Work and Family Network says their kids will – for as long as they can, anyway. But in the long run, we’ll have to: “1) either overhaul the way the country provides and pays for the care of aging adults or 2) level with current and future caregivers, as well as the organizations that employ them, so they understand the hard facts and begin to plan accordingly.”
Paid Leave or Bust! (Literally.) DMI highlights a new study from Harvard University researchers finds that 62.1 percent of bankruptcies in 2007 had a medical cause, up from 46.2 percent in 2001. A health care system overhaul is imperative – but so is paid family and medical leave.
