The State of the Union in Brief
Oona Bernhardt 
• Bookmarks: 40
In Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, President Obama outlined eight policy areas that he hopes will facilitate his broader goal of “Opportunity for All.” The goals were detailed further in the “enhanced” infographics and slides broadcast on WhiteHouse.gov during SOTU.
In recognition of the eight goals and the need for balanced, evidence-based policy solutions, CPR has pulled together articles from our archives to help better inform discussion on these topics. While these represent some of the most relevant research and thought leaders, more background can be found at chicagopolicyreview.org.
1. Good Jobs Building 21st-Century Infrastructure
A Desperate Customer? The Growing Trend of PPPs in American Government
Recent study finds that political and ideological factors as well as increased congestion may be driving states to privatize their transportation infrastructure
The Metropolitan Revolution: An Interview with Houston’s Mayor Annise Parker
Mayor Annise Parker discusses the innovative nature of cities and the accomplishments of Houston
2. Investing in a Clean Energy Future
Short-Circuiting: Budgeting Instability Reduces Alternative Energy Innovation
Instability in federal alternative energy investment is shown to reduce innovation in the sector
Blowin’ Through Texas: Local Wind Farm Economics
Wind farms create jobs in small communities. But are the economic benefits enjoyed most by city slickers?
3. Leaving our Kids with Clean Air and Clean Water
Why We’ll Need More Than Just Inhalers if Climate Change and Air Pollution Persist
A large, multi-country study in Europe demonstrates a synergistic relationship between climate change and air pollution and their negative effects on respiratory health.
A new study finds that Clean Air Act regulations reduce productivity in the manufacturing sector
4. Training our Workforce for the Jobs of the Future
Filling in the Missing Pieces for Job Training Programs
Job providers focus on one or two niche industries to maximize impact for low-income, low-skilled workers
Fixing the Youth Jobs Pipeline
Workforce training programs should appeal to employers’ needs, not their charity
5. A World-Class Education for Every Child
Learning “What Works” in Early Childhood Classrooms
Important evaluations like MDRC’s Foundations of Learning demonstration shed light on “what works” in improving early childhood programs and evaluate the benefits and costs of such initiatives
Measuring Teacher Quality: Do Teachers Impact Students’ Adult Outcomes?
A new study suggests that students who are taught by higher quality teachers have an increased chance of experiencing improved adult outcomes.
6. Fair and Equal Workplace Rights for All
OSHA’s Chief of Staff discusses how the agency leverages limited resources to keep America’s workers safe
Maternal Tradeoffs: Economic Consequences for Mothers Who Breastfeed
Breastfeeding has health benefits, but does it also carry an economic penalty for mothers?
7. Fair Wages for Every American
Welcome, Stranger: The Positive Labor Market Effects of Immigration
In a study of OECD countries, immigration had a small positive impact on receiving countries’ labor markets
Negotiating Your Way Out of the Binder
What role does the willingness to negotiate for salaries play in the gender gap?
8. Ability to Retire with Dignity
Illinois’ 100 Billion Dollar Question: How Do We Solve the Pension Crisis?
Daniel Bliss, once a University of Chicago mathematician and now a State Senator, gives an inside look at the pension reform proposal in the Illinois General Assembly
Where the EITC Goes: A Qualitative Examination of EITC Allocation
A working paper from the National Poverty Center examines the allocation of the Earned Income Tax Credit in the budgets of low-income families
Feature Photo: cc/(Dave Hosford)
