Finance

Mexico Rises on Influential FDI Index

February 19, 2010
Mexico has substantially improved its ranking on an influential list of destinations for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The 2010 A.T. Kearney Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index, produced by A. T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm, indexes the outlook of senior executives at many of the largest companies in the world.

Obama’s Budget: Deeper Deficit met with Dissent

February 12, 2010
On February 1, 2010, US President Barack Obama announced his government's economic priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. In the 2011 Budget Obama revealed that he would need to take the country US $3.8 trillion further into debt in an effort to maintain economic recovery.

Testimony: Ben Bernanke on Federal Reserve's Exit Strategy

February 10, 2010
(Excerpt from the Federal Reserve System) Chairman Ben S. Bernanke Federal Reserve's exit strategy Before the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. February 10, 2010 Statement as prepared for delivery.

Obama's Year One and the Making of Presidential Character

February 10, 2010
The February issue of the Institute for Research on Public Policy's Policy Options highlights an article by Gil Troy which analyzes President Barack Obama's first year in office. January 20, 2010 marked the first year anniversary for Obama who has faced challenges with the economic crisis and instituting a recovery plan. Both domestic and foreign policy issues have plagued the president. Read the Report

Measuring Up in a Changing Economy: A Look at New U.S. Service Sector Data and Why It Matters

March 12, 2010 10:00 am - March 12, 2010 11:30 am at The Brookings Institution, Saul/Zilkha Rooms, 1775 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC
Access to timely economic information is crucial for policymakers as they respond to booms and busts. While services industries have grown to account for more than half of U.S. output, until recently, the nation has lacked up-to-date information on this sector's activity, making it more difficult to detect turning points in the economy.

Reforming Canada’s Pension System

February 24, 2010
A new C.D. Howe Institute study calls for reform in Canada's pension system. In order to benefit from this reform, William B.P. Robson highlights two primary obstacles and offers suggestions to improve the system. Read

Mortgage Finance Reform: Protecting Taxpayers from Liability

February 24, 2010
The American government's take over of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac prompts the question as to whether a mortgage finance industry can function effectively in normal times. A new Fraser Institute study examines this issue by focusing on secondary markets and mortgage insurance in a review of the American experience, as well as the models in other countries. Read

Building Momentum for Fiscal Responsibility

March 1, 2010 1:00 pm - March 1, 2010 2:00 pm at The Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC
A Discussion with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer

Institute for Research on Public Policy

February 16, 2010
The February issue of Thinking Ahead, the monthly newsletter of the IRPP, is now available

US and Canada Reach Agreement on Buy American

February 8, 2010
Office of the United States Trade Representative For Immediate Release: February 5, 2010 Joint Statement from United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Canada's Minister of International Trade, Peter Van Loan, on US-Canada Agreement on Government Procurement Issues The United States and Canada have reached a tentative agreement on government procurement. The agreement is subject to completion of our respective domestic approval processes. This agreement has two major elements.