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A Strong Middle Class Blog

Learn more about the Middle Class Task Force, led by Vice President Joe Biden.

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Strengthening an Emerging Industry While Helping Families Save Money

The Vice President announces three new initiatives that will grow the sustainable home energy-efficiency industry and help middle-class families save money on their energy bills.
November 9, 2010 at 3:17 PM ET by Brian Levine

New Report Highlights Administration’s Support for Women and Families

The National Economic Council released a report, Jobs and Economic Security for America’s Women, which provides even more evidence for why this work is critically important.
October 22, 2010 at 10:52 AM ET by Maureen Tracey-Mooney

A Path Forward for Communities Affected by the GM Bankruptcy

Jared Bernstein with the Middle Class Task Force explains why the agreement between the Old General Motors and federal and state governments to establish a trust to clean up and repurpose 89 properties left behind in the GM bankruptcy is so significant.
October 20, 2010 at 2:19 PM ET by Jared Bernstein

Taking On Black Lung

In the wake of the historic rescue of miners in Chile, Maureen Tracey-Mooney with the Office of the Vice President, discusses efforts to tackle an even more widespread danger to miners.
October 18, 2010 at 11:07 AM ET by Maureen Tracey-Mooney

Giving You the Information You Need to Make Good Retirement Choices

Jared Bernstein, Chief Economic Advisor to the Vice President, discusses the new rules announced by the Department of Labor to help make sure Americans have access to the information they need to make good decisions about how to save for retirement.
October 14, 2010 at 5:20 PM ET by Jared Bernstein

The American Opportunity Tax Credit and the President's Event Today

A look at the American Opportunity Tax Credit from the perspective of the Middle Class Task Force.
October 13, 2010 at 4:19 PM ET by Brian Levine

A Living-Room Discussion with Middle Class Families

A look at Vice President Biden's visit to the home of Bob and Lorie Cochran in Manchester, New Hampshire for a discussion on the economy and other issues that are important to middle class families.
September 28, 2010 at 6:52 PM ET by Jared Bernstein

Keep Putting Them on the Job!

A look at the immensely successful Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Subsidized Jobs program -- and what will happen if it is allowed to end prematurely.
September 27, 2010 at 5:46 PM ET by Jared Bernstein

Fighting to Protect Consumers

Elizabeth Warren on the ideas behind the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
September 17, 2010 at 10:56 AM ET by Elizabeth Warren

Keeping Taxes Low for the Middle Class and Small Businesses

Vice President Biden holds a Middle Class Task Force roundtable discussion with workers and small business owners to discuss tax policies designed to help middle-class families make ends meet and help small businesses invest and grow.
August 25, 2010 at 6:21 PM ET by Brian Levine

Lakes and Rivers: A Middle Class Task Force Visit to the Chrysler Toledo Assembly Complex

Vice President Biden travels to Toledo, Ohio, today to hold a Middle Class Task Force event at the Chrysler Toledo Assembly Complex - a state-of-the-art complex that houses the main assembly plant producing the Jeep Wrangler.
August 23, 2010 at 4:00 PM ET by Jared Bernstein

Protecting Middle-Class Consumers from Unfair Business Practices

Jared Bernstein, Chief Economic Advisor to the Vice President, discusses the Middle Class Task Force meeting on protecting American households from deceptive practices.
August 3, 2010 at 2:30 PM ET by Jared Bernstein

Equal Pay and Work-Family Policies Are Critical For Middle Class Economic Security

Terrell McSweeny, Domestic Policy Advisory to the Vice President, talks about the role of the Middle Class Task Force in the fight for equal pay.
July 20, 2010 at 4:06 PM ET by Terrell McSweeny

Focus on Workplace Safety

Joseph Main, Assistant Secretary for the Mine Safety and Health Administration, gives an update on changes in mine safety in the wake of the Upper Big Branch explosion.
July 16, 2010 at 10:49 AM ET by Joseph Main

If It's Working, Keep it Going!

Jared Bernstein, Chief Economic Advisor to the Vice President, writes on the need for Congress to renew a successful program that lets states use Recovery Act dollars to pay for part of a new employee’s wages, giving employers a strong incentive to hire unemployed workers.
July 12, 2010 at 12:01 PM ET by Jared Bernstein

Another Step Forward on College Affordability

Brian Levine with the Office of the Vice President discusses the benefits of the transition to direct lending as a result of the reforms signed by the President.
July 7, 2010 at 12:15 PM ET by Brian Levine

Bringing Green Manufacturing Back Home

Tobin Marcus with the Office of the Vice President takes another perspective on the VP's trip to GE Headquarters in Louisville -- another big step towards American leadership in green manufacturing.
June 29, 2010 at 5:55 PM ET by Tobin Marcus

Good Jobs and a Level Playing Field in the Next Recovery

Jared Bernstein, Chief Economic Advisor to the Vice President, a growing problem in our labor market: the misclassification of employees as independent contractors (ICs).
June 17, 2010 at 12:20 PM ET by Jared Bernstein

Growing Businesses and Putting Unemployed Workers Back on the Job

Tobin Marcus with the VP's office talks about the Middle Class Task Force meeting on programs to give employers a strong incentive to hire by paying for part of a new employee’s wages.
May 27, 2010 at 12:52 PM ET by Tobin Marcus

Why Wall Street Reform Matters for the Middle Class

Jared Bernstein, Chief Economic Advisor to the Vice President, explains in plain English how Wall Street's problems affect Main Street.
April 28, 2010 at 7:23 PM ET by Jared Bernstein

A Triple Win

The Vice President announced that 25 communities across the country have been selected for “Retrofit Ramp-Up” awards through the Recovery Act. This program will create thousands of jobs and allow these communities to retrofit hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses while testing out innovative strategies that can be adopted all over the country.
April 22, 2010 at 7:02 PM ET by Brian Levine

Project Labor Agreements: A Better Deal for All

An update on the President's efforts encouraging executive agencies to consider requiring the use of project labor agreements (PLAs) when they engage in large-scale construction projects.
April 12, 2010 at 4:16 PM ET by Jared Bernstein

Workplace Flexibility at the White House

Terrell McSweeny, Domestic Policy Advisor to the Vice President, gives her take on the White House Forum on Workplace Flexibility.
April 1, 2010 at 5:59 PM ET by Terrell McSweeny

A Victory for Students and Their Families

Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act implements the Income Based Repayment program for federal student loans.
March 30, 2010 at 11:59 AM ET by Brian Levine

Support for Caregivers in Health Care Reform

Learn how health reform and the Middle Class Task Force will help family caregivers.
March 29, 2010 at 11:12 AM ET by Terrell McSweeny

So, You Want to Boost Exports? Have I Got a Program for You!

Jared Bernstein explains the 48C Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit.
March 15, 2010 at 9:35 AM ET by Jared Bernstein

Our Annual Report and Growing Support for Our Middle Class Agenda

The Middle Class Task Force releases its first annual report, chronicling a year of working with experts and everyday citizens and reaffirming the Administration's commitment to fight for issues important to the middle class.
February 26, 2010 at 10:00 AM ET by Jared Bernstein &Terrell McSweeny

Relief from Crushing Student Loan Payments

Brian Levine, Deputy Domestic Policy Advisor to the Vice President, fleshes out a proposal from the President to put a cap on student loan payments.
February 15, 2010 at 12:30 PM ET by Brian Levine

Work-Family Juggling

Washington Post article mentions the changes that the recession is having on family structure. The Middle Class Task Force is working to adapt workplaces to this transformation.
February 12, 2010 at 2:42 PM ET by Terrell McSweeny

Helping Workers Save for a Secure Retirement

Tobin Marcus, Assistant to the Chief Economist for the Vice President, discusses the proposed package of retirement initiatives outlined in the President's FY 2011 budget.
February 11, 2010 at 6:22 PM ET by Tobin Marcus