Guns, Excise Taxes, and Wildlife Restoration, M. Lynne Corn, Specialist in Natural Resources Policy; Jane G. Gravelle, Senior Specialist in Economic Policy. March 12, 2013 “As a result of the recent debate over guns, gun rights, and gun-related violence, there has been a marked increase in sales of many weapons as well as ammunition. Through… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: March 2013
CRS – An Overview of the Housing Finance System in the United States
An Overview of the Housing Finance System in the United States, Sean M. Hoskins, Analyst in Financial Economics; Katie Jones, Analyst in Housing Policy; N. Eric Weiss, Specialist in Financial Economics. March 13, 2013 “The characteristics of the borrower and of the mortgage determine the classification of the loan. What happens to a mortgage in… Continue Reading
Paper – The Dietary Intake of Wheat and other Cereal Grains and Their Role in Inflammation
The Dietary Intake of Wheat and other Cereal Grains and Their Role in Inflammation, Karin de Punder and Leo Pruimboom. Nutrients 2013, 5(3), 771-787; doi:10.3390/nu5030771. Published: March 12, 2013 “Wheat is one of the most consumed cereal grains worldwide and makes up a substantial part of the human diet. Although government-supported dietary guidelines in Europe… Continue Reading
Paper – Dividends as Signaling Device and the Disappearing Dividend Puzzle
Shapiro, Dmitry and Zhuang, Anan, Dividends as Signaling Device and the Disappearing Dividend Puzzle (March 14, 2013). Available at SSRN “In the paper we provide an extension of the Baker and Wurgler (2012) model where managers use dividends to signal firms earning to investors. We introduce heterogeneity among investors and firms; we also introduce investors’… Continue Reading
Paper – The Hidden Supply of High-Achieving, Low Income Students
The Missing “One-Offs”: The Hidden Supply of High-Achieving, Low Income Students, by Caroline M. Hoxby, Christopher Avery. NBER Working Paper No. 18586, December 2012, via SSRN. See related article and chart via New York Times. “We show that the vast majority of very high-achieving students who are low-income do not apply to any selective college… Continue Reading
Report – Key Metrics Series: Women on Boards
Key Metrics Series: Women on Boards, March 13, 2013: “Gender diversity improves board functioning, and may also contribute to stock price performance in certain circumstances. [A new report helps] identify companies whose boards are lagging with regard to female representation.” Continue Reading
The BIS Quarterly Review for March 2013 says markets grow confident on continued support
March 2013 Quarterly Review: Markets grow confident on continued support – March 18, 2013 “Market participants’ renewed sense of optimism has accompanied further policy accommodation, but macroeconomic performance is lagging behind. In the third quarter of 2012, BIS reporting banks posted their smallest increase in cross-border claims in 13 years. They increased their crossborder claims… Continue Reading
Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
CRS – Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress, by Ronald O’Rourke, Specialist in Naval Affairs. March 14, 2013 “The Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD… Continue Reading
Urban Institute Papers on the Changing Wealth of American
“The Great Recession hit family finances from many directions. Housing and stock prices fell sharply, and along with them, family wealth. As economic output dropped and unemployment rose sharply, those who lost their jobs or were underemployed saw their wealth erode. The Great Recession had an especially severe impact on the wealth building of Generations… Continue Reading
New Pew Report on Modern Parenthood
Modern Parenthood – Roles of Moms and Dads Converge as They Balance Work and Family, by Kim Parker and Wendy Wang “The way mothers and fathers spend their time has changed dramatically in the past half century. Dads are doing more housework and child care; moms more paid work outside the home. Neither has overtaken… Continue Reading
Grading Government Transparency Scientists Freedom to Speak (and Tweet) at Federal Agencies
Union of Concerned Scientists – “A strong democracy depends on transparency, accountability, and trust in the government to make evidence-based decisions that protect public health and the environment. Federal scientists play an important role in fulfilling this mandate by providing critical expertise to decision makers and the American people. But sometimes, political or commercial forces… Continue Reading
EFF – National Security Letters Are Unconstitutional, Federal Judge Rules
“A federal district court judge in San Francisco has ruled that National Security Letter (NSL) provisions in federal law violate the Constitution. The decision came in a lawsuit challenging a NSL on behalf of an unnamed telecommunications company represented by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). In the ruling publicly released [March 15, 2013], Judge Susan… Continue Reading
