JUST IDEAS
Improving Policy, Improving LivesEnsuring the Youth Opportunity Guarantee Works for Undocumented Youth
Undocumented youth are an integral part of the United States. Regardless of documentation status, immigrants contribute to our country—supporting their families, serving their communities, and contributing to local, state and national economies. However, the nearly 2.1 million undocumented youth under the age of 24 are often left out of opportunities and programs, and therefore face uncertainty about their job prospects and futures.
Transition to the Green Economy: Vehicle for the Youth Opportunity Guarantee?
More than eight years into an economic recovery, the labor market is not bringing young people into the labor force. Approximately 4.6 million young Americans remain disconnected from school and work…
On Trump’s menu: Taking food assistance away from those who need it most
A new rule from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to take away food assistance from at least 750,000 people if they cannot meet harsh new work reporting requirements. The rule would significantly weaken the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),...
Remarks at Life of Learning Ceremony
Thank you, Jack, and Bill Treanor, and congratulations to all of you being honored this evening. It is a special occasion. I am so proud to be part of this Law Center and University. As much or more than any other law school in the country, we stand for and work for...
The Earned Income Tax Credit: A Tool to Weather Hardship
Extreme weather events, such as Tropical Storm Florence and Hurricane Michael, highlight a heavy truth about ongoing climate change: They hit low-income communities the hardest. And the future may be bleaker still.
House farm bill: The latest assault on disability rights
Over the last year, people with disabilities have fought against attacks on their health care, civil rights, and supports that make inclusion in society possible. Now, as the House and Senate prepare to iron out a final version of the bill, we urge those involved to adopt the Senate’s approach to SNAP.
It’s Time to Make Sure Nobody is Paid Less Than the Minimum Wage
Eighty years ago, President Franklin Roosevelt called for a national floor on wages to ensure “a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.” As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act, a core part of the New Deal, the federal minimum wage falls far short of that goal.
America must build a caregiving infrastructure to help our families
To be sure, a well-designed infrastructure plan is long overdue to fix our D+ infrastructure, as graded by the American Society of Civil Engineers, but the new plan does not provide real solutions, nor does it address our nation’s great need for an ambitious jobs strategy. We’ve got an idea that holds far more promise: Build a caregiving infrastructure that will actually meet the current and future needs of our families
From family leave to inclusive paid leave — the importance of the disability lens
Nearly all of us will need to take time away from a job at some point to address a family member’s or our own serious illness, or to welcome a new child into our family. Unfortunately, in the United States we have a patchwork system filled with holes when it comes to paid leave.
Stop pointing at Asian Americans to downplay racism at universities
Offering up an imaginary monolithic culture as the model for success is futile and dangerous. The model minority rhetoric ignores institutional racism against Asian Americans, not to mention fundamental differences in the history and current reality faced by other people of color, such as African Americans and Latinos.
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