Reimagining Our Economy

The reports, recommendations, resources, and data dashboard produced by the Commission on Reimagining Our Economy

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The Academy's Commission on Reimagining Our Economy was convened in recognition that the health of a democracy is inextricably linked to the health of its economy.

The crosspartisan and interdisciplinary Commission – chaired by Katherine Cramer (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Ann Fudge (Young & Rubicam Brands), and Nicholas Lemann (Columbia Journalism School) – includes scholars, journalists, artists, and leaders from the business, faith, labor, and philanthropic communities.

Together, they sought to advance an American economy that works for the people who make it work. Rather than focus on how the economy is doing, the Commission envisioned a focus on how Americans are doing. 

Explore the data, research, faces, voices, and recommendations they developed.

Woman in a Red Apron Wiping Down a Restaurant Table
Advancing a People-First Economy
The Final Report includes 15 Recommendations
CORE Score Image of Map of the U.S. mostly Green
Nationwide Dashboard with County-Level Information about the Wellbeing of Americans
Explore the New Dashboard
Recommendations for SECURITY

  1. Redesign safety nets to ensure stability, including addressing cliff effects of certain benefits  

  1. Adopt inclusionary zoning policies to increase the housing supply 

  1. Reform childcare and healthcare with the aim of lowering costs and facilitating benefit portability  

  1. Expand access to low-cost banking for low-income Americans  

Read the Security recommendations in the report. 

Recommendations for OPPORTUNITY and MOBILITY

  1. Remove regulations preventing people from participating in the labor market 

  1. Bolster worker training and education pathways through private sector upskilling and a strengthened community college system 

  1. Extend to Black World War II veterans and their descendants the housing and education benefits they were denied under the 1944 GI Bill 

  1. Expand broadband connectivity for rural, tribal, and underserved urban areas 

  1. Allow states or municipalities to sponsor immigrants to boost their economies (Community Partnership Visas)  

Read the Opportunity and Mobility recommendations in the report.

Recommendations for DEMOCRACY
  1. Create a training and financing program to help working-class Americans run for political office  
  2. Deconcentrate economic power  
  3. Revise the tax code to incentivize work and end tax policies that benefit the wealthy  
  4. Support tribal governmental infrastructure to facilitate Native American self-determination 
  5. Facilitate the creation of robust local and community media  
  6. Promote economic connectedness. Learn more about economic connectedness.  

Read the Democracy recommendations in the report.

Faces of America
A unique photojournal illustrating the importance of building an economy that works for the people who make it work.
View the Publication
Voices of America
The Commission held 31 listening sessions across the country that were listened to, transcribed, and featured in the publications.
Listen to Selections
New York Times Guest Essay text
In the News: New York Times
A guest essay in the New York Times featured this work.
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Listening to American Voices
Audio from listening sessions referenced in New York Times guest essay.
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In the News: Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal features the CORE Score
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In the News: Bloomberg
US Economy Scores Low on New Index Measuring Nation’s Well-Being
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In the News: Reuters
US needs new way to measure and advance economic fairness, group says
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In the News: The New Republic
Let’s Give Black World War II Vets What We Promised
Advancing a People-First Economy
Read the Report