Optimist Economy
Optimist Economy
Kathryn Anne Edwards and Robin Rauzi
Optimist Q&A: Evidence for UBI, What to Do About Billionaires, and Where Will the U.S. Economy Be After Trump?
52 minutes Posted Oct 7, 2025 at 10:10 am.
Announcements
Does UBI actually work?
Why isn't legislation automatically indexed for inflation?
Why did OBBB cut Medicaid?
What if there were no exemptions to the minimum wage?
Will I make less money if tipping goes away?
What is Kathryn's take on NM child care?
How can the federal government boost research after Trump?
Is there a political avoidance in academic research?
What are some examples of local policy successes?
How did Social Security cut taxes but reduce poverty?
What policy can reduce wealth disparities while encouraging growth?
What will our economy look like after Trump?
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Show notes

In the final Q&A of the season, economist Kathryn Edwards answers listener questions on recent universal basic income experiments, legislative budgeting tricks, and the value of more aggressive IRS auditing. She also explains what eradicating the minimum wage exemption might mean, particularly for disabled and incarcerated workers. We also discuss what people actually do for money when they stop job hunting. Fair warning: this one runs long and the keeping it f-bomb free resolution lasted about five minutes.

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