Dr. Mike

The North Carolina economy is growing, but slowly. Jobs are being added and the unemployment rate is dropping, but we’re nowhere near levels anyone would consider acceptable. So as our new governor takes office and the General Assembly reconvenes, the priority for most of our elected officials will be boosting the rate of economic growth in our state so jobs can be created at a faster pace. Unfortunately, there is no magic switch any of our state leaders can pull to immediately create jobs. Indeed, much of the future course of the North Carolina economy will be determined by...

RALEIGH, N.C. – When I began teaching 35 years ago, few people knew – or cared – about the Federal Reserve. That’s certainly changed. Especially since the financial meltdown in late 2008, the Federal Reserve has been front and center in both policies and debates on the economy. Fed chairman Bernanke has even become an issue in the presidential campaign, with some candidates bluntly saying they would not reappoint him when his current term expires. Recently, the Federal Reserve added to their headlines by announcing a major new program designed to boost the economy, but also involving the printing...