David Gray

Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. They comprise 99% of all employers and create 75% of our nation's new jobs. Both sides of the aisle consistently claim to represent their interests -- yet what policies should Washington pursue to help this vital sector?

This half-day conference will address the most pressing economic issues facing America's small enterprises today, from health care costs and tax burdens to workforce and regulatory concerns. In the first… more

In his famous work on American democracy, Alexis de Tocqueville observed that "Boldness of enterprise is the foremost cause of [America's] rapid progress, its strength, and its greatness." This observation, made in the mid- 1830s, is one with which few of those who comment on economics and American commerce today would disagree. The "boldness of enterprise" that Tocqueville referred to is entrepreneurship, the process of innovation, which, under conditions of risk and uncertainty, results in the creation of a new… more

Workplace Flexibility 2010 of Georgetown University Law Center and the Workforce and Family Program of the New America Foundation are bringing together a panel of researchers studying the mismatch between the needs of America’s families and the way the workplace is currently structured. These experts have studied how this mismatch impacts marital well-being, child-rearing, and caregiving responsibilities, including elder care.

The briefing will also highlight how workplace flexibility benefits families and how one company is using flexibility as a key… more

Rev. Dr. David E. Gray directs the New America Foundation's Workforce and Family Program, which researches and develops solutions to social, economic and family policy issues.

In the wake of terrorist threats, gas price spikes, hurricanes, and a run-up in housing prices in certain markets, there has been broad discussion recently about the value to the U.S. of encouraging greater development in the nation’s interior. Population growth along America’s coasts is crowding more people into ever smaller areas, while the interior of the country remains relatively open. As the U.S population is projected to grow to 400 million in the next half century, America has an… more

Why isn’t more attention paid to the need for a public and private sector revolution in job training? In the past few years, there has been much attention paid to improving America’s education system. By tradition and even by law, education is a state and local responsibility. However, education has seen a critical change over the past five years in terms of the federal role. The Republican Party has transformed from calling for a decreased federal role in education (many… more

Globalization is one of the most important, yet least understood, forces shaping our world. In a world of shifting work conditions and family living patterns, it impacts how Americans, and citizens of the world, raise their children. It touches on issues of child health and development, barriers to parents getting and keeping jobs, and problems families confront daily and in times of crisis. There is much that the world learns from America's economic and social strength, and… more

In early February, the President released his $2.8 trillion budget for FY2007. By and large, the budget did not focus on addressing the needs of families. Many of the proposed budget cuts and 141 program eliminations were in social, educational and health programs that benefit families. However, the President’s emphasis on research and development, investment in science and math education, and energy independence, were bold and welcome ideas. Moreover, the President’s proposal to establish Career Advancement Accounts, which could allow up to 800,000 people annually to pay for training or tuition… more

This week, the White House submitted its annual Economic Report of the President to Congress. It was a positive forecast driven by continuing strong consumer spending, business investment and export growth. Despite high energy prices and Hurricane Katrina, the White House had a lot of good news to trumpet on the economy from four years of largely uninterrupted economic growth.

For the complete document, please see the attached PDF version.