If policymakers are serious about expanding opportunity, occupational licensing should be near the top of the reform agenda.
Social Mobility
A core promise of America is the ability of people to rise up from humble beginnings. The challenges faced by lower- and middle-income Americans today are multidisciplinary in nature, and require our renewed focus. Job and wage growth are essential; in particular, Americans need access to more blue-collar work and other jobs that don’t require a college degree. Our employment and welfare policies should encourage work, family formation, and income security. Paid family leave can help strengthen families at their times of need.
All Social Mobility
Welfare reform’s commitment to work may be slipping away
An abundance of training, jobs, housing, and support will help Americans achieve upward mobility.
The reactions to two news stories expose a rift in understanding how people flourish that FREOPP seeks to bridge.
Regulation signals a seriousness about an important emerging policy issue but does not reliably generate better outcomes for workers
One Door can be a critical first step to protect the vulnerable, reduce bureaucracy, and create pathways to flourishing
It may be instructive to revisit how two states paved the way for today’s reform efforts.
Upward Mobility grants would empower states to truly operate as the “laboratories of democracy” while protecting and better targeting benefits.