By Rachel Goldfarb, originally published on Next New Deal
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The Real Solution to Wealth Inequality (The Nation)
Roosevelt Institute Fellow Mike Konczal and Bryce Covert write that instead of trying to increase individuals' purchasing power, basic needs should just be taken off the market altogether.
Why Is the Economy Still Weak? Blame These Five Sectors (NYT)
Neil Irwin examines the possible causes for the underperformance of several economic sectors based on careful predictions of what their output ought to be in a healthier economy.
The NLRB-McDonald's Ruling Could be the Beginning of a Franchise War (LA Times)
Michael Hiltzik suggests that as the National Labor Relations Board places more responsibility on franchisors like McDonald's, those companies will try to pass costs to their franchisees.
A University President Gave up $90,000 to Give His Minimum Wage Workers a Raise (Vox)
By reducing his own salary, the interim president of Kentucky State University has ensured a raise from $7.25 an hour to $10.25 an hour for the school's lowest-paid workers.
As Congress Adjourns, GOP Declares “Omission Accomplished” (OurFuture.org)
Congress left for summer recess with the GOP having blocked almost everything from passing, but Richard Eskow also calls out the Democrats for failing to give them more progressive proposals to block.
The United States Needs Corporate 'Loyalty Oaths' (The Daily Beast)
"Non-desertion agreements" as requirements for federal contractors would help to ensure companies choose to pay U.S. corporate taxes, writes Jonathan Alter.
New on Next New Deal
Will Syracuse Become New York's Second Economic Capital?
In her video speculation for the Next American Economy project, Amy Liu, Co-Director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings, predicts cities will step up as drivers of innovation and investment.