New York Times
Labor and workplace reporter for New York Times and author of The Escape Artists: How Obama's Team Fumbled the Recovery; former senior editor for the New Republic
PROFILE
Noam Scheiber
Guest
FROM Noam Scheiber
To the Point
Grad students get the right to unionize at private universities Yesterday, the National Labor Relations Board overturned a 12-year old ruling that graduate teaching assistants are not employees but students advancing their own education. Now, says the NLRB, they are both students and employees — and they have the right to form unions. Photo by Urban~commonswiki That's a big win for organized labor's campaigns in the Ivy League and across the country, according to Noam Scheiber, labor and workplace reporter for the New York Times .
To the Point
Will Obama's New Overtime Rules Backfire on Workers? Four million American workers may now be entitled to something they've never had before: pay for overtime if they make less than $47,500 a year. The previous cut-off was $23,660. Labor Secretary Secretary Tom Perez endorsed the new rule, saying "middle class jobs deserve middle class pay. And that when you work extra you should get paid extra, that's what this is about, it's very simple but very bedrock." But the new rule may well have unintended consequences, economically — and politically, as we hear from Noam Schieber, a labor reporter for the New York Times .
To the Point
How Wealthy Americans Created a Private Tax System As the 2016 presidential campaign heats up, one issue we're not hearing candidates debate much is tax policy. But that doesn't mean it's low on their agendas. In fact, some of the most generous political donors this campaign cycle are wealthy Americans who have found ways to build a "private tax system" that saves them billions of dollars -- and they want to keep it that way. That's according to a special report this week by the New York Times , co-written by Noam Scheiber, who joins us now.
To the Point
It's the "Gig Economy," Stupid… When Hillary Clinton said she was worried about insecurity in the workplace, Jeb Bush scoffed and promised to “hail” an Uber to go to his next event. Bush was supporting the “sharing economy” — and Clinton does, too, despite her reservations. The “sharing economy” is also being called the “gig economy,” because it’s changing the relationship between employers and employees, turning full-time jobs into part-time “gigs” -- liberating executives and workers, but without traditional worker protections. That’s raising questions about taxes and government regulation -- questions that presidential candidates are being asked. Uber is just one of the new companies that “poses a challenge to longstanding notions of what it means to hold a job,” according to Noam Scheiber of the New York Times.
To the Point
In Silicon Valley, Do Grown-ups Have a Chance? Mark Zuckerberg, who founded Facebook at age 23, famously told an audience, " Young people are just smarter ." And, Zuckerberg just paid $2 billion for Oculus — founded by Palmer Luckey at 21. One cosmetic surgeon says 28-year olds are getting Botox injections to look younger during start-up presentations to venture capitalists their own age. Is ageism all that pervasive in the tech world? Are white men learning what's all too familiar to women, ethnic minorities and the disabled?
To the Point
Hillary Clinton and Political 'Inevitability' Hillary Clinton was considered "inevitable" in 2008. Barack Obama proved that she wasn't, when she failed to secure the Democratic presidential nomination. Now she's "inevitable" for 2016. Are there second acts in American politics? We hear about potential challenges from the progressive wing of the party, and why many political pros think she's unstoppable anyway — if she decides to run.
To the Point
Bipartisanship on Capitol Hill or Just a Holiday Breather? There may not be a government shutdown any time soon, but that's the best even supporters can say for Washington's first budget agreement in three years. And it leaves establishment Republicans so divided from Tea-Party colleagues there's real doubt that anything else will get done until after next year's elections. That doesn't necessarily mean the Democrats won. We look at major provisions of the $85 billion agreement, and hear about the political fallout. Is it a fitting end to a do-nothing Congress?
To the Point
With Summers, Obama Feels Sting from His Own Party Larry Summers was the President of Harvard, Bill Clinton’s Treasury Secretary and a top economic advisor to Barack Obama. He was once thought a shoe-in to replace Ben Bernanke as head of the Federal Reserve. But last Friday, Montana Senator Jon Tester became the fourth Democrat on the Banking Committee to indicate opposition to Summers. In July, 20 Senate Democrats sent a letter to the President extolling the credentials of the Fed’s Vice Chair Janet Yellen . So, when Summers took himself out of the running yesterday, Noam Scheiber wasn't surprised. The senior editor at The New Republic has more on what that means about the realities of Democratic Party politics.
To the Point
Scandal Time in Washington Steven Miller has been fired as Acting Director of the Internal Revenue Service, but he was back on Capitol Hill today, testifying before the Senate Finance Committee , in one of three unrelated "scandals" that could threaten Barack Obama's second-term agenda. In addition to the IRS, there's the Tea Party, the Justice Department and reporters' phone records, and talking points about the killing of diplomats in Benghazi. With the President's approval ratings over 50 percent and holding, many questions remain to be answered. Does the public care? Is there evidence of wrong-doing? Will Republicans overplay their hand? What's the role of the news media? Will there be an impact on action on Obamacare, the minimum wage, sequester or immigration reform?
To the Point
The State of the Union Speech: The Rhetoric and the Reality In a State of the Union speech every President speaks over the heads of the Joint Session of Congress to the American people. One of those moments came at the end of last night's address , with victims of gun violence in the audience. A "simple vote" won't be easy in a divided Congress — on gun control, climate change or a whole list of initiatives he said won't raise the deficit "a single dime." We hear divided reaction from an Obama supporter, a critic of "warmed over liberalism" and a progressive with doubts about "follow through."
To the Point
Financial Reform Finally Ready for President's Signature The financial reform bill is ready to become law. Democrats have the votes they need to pass the broadest overhaul of US financial roles since the Great Depression. Noam Scheiber is senior editor for The New Republic.
Which Way, L.A.?
Finance Reform under the Microscope A joint committee reached a surprise compromise last week on finance reform, and President Obama wanted both houses to pass it by the Fourth of July. But the death of Senator Robert Byrd deprived Democrats of a crucial vote, and today Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown pulled out , citing a $19 billion fee he called an unacceptable tax.
To the Point
Finance Reform under the Microscope President Obama calls the finance reform compromise the biggest thing of its kind since the Great Depression, and he wants it on his desk by the Fourth of July. But the sudden death of Robert Byrd means one less Democratic vote in the Senate, and familiar questions are being raised all over again. Could banks still be "too big to fail?" Would consumers get better protection? Why would the mortgage giants Fanni Mae and Freddie Mac be left as they are? Will liberal Democrats or moderate Republicans get cold feet?
Which Way, L.A.?
Can the US Senate Pass Finance Reform in an Election Year? In the House version of finance reform, the provision that banks hate most is an independent agency for consumer protection. It's been compared to the so-called "public option," that divided Democrats to the benefit of Republicans during the healthcare debate. But the politics of finance reform are very different.
To the Point
Can the Senate Deliver Finance Reform in an Election Year? The US Senate's next item of business is finance reform, with Democrats trying to draw up an offer Republicans can't refuse. The provision banks hate most in the House version of reform is an independent agency for consumer protection that's been compared to the so-called “public option,” that divided Democrats to the GOP's benefit during the healthcare debate. But the politics of finance reform are very different. With popular anger focused on Wall Street, should banks that are “too big to fail” be regulated or cut down to size? Should a consumer protection agency be independent or part of the Federal Reserve?
Which Way, L.A.?
Behavioral Science and Political Change The Obama Administration is using behavioral science " to try to transform the country ." That's according to Michael Grunwald in Time magazine. He says it all began during the presidential campaign with a "dream team" of 29 economists and psychologists who are now advising the White House. We talk with Grunwald, one of those advisors and others about how the process works. Does it preserve or limit the opportunity to choose? Is it psychological trickery that smacks of Big Brother or a subtle new form of leadership in a complex and confusing world?
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Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
To the Point
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?