Experts Available: Biden Administration Stimulus Package
As the Biden-Harris Administration sets its agenda for its first one hundred days in office, Scholars Strategy Network has compiled a list of experts who are available to be contacted for commentary and analysis on new policy developments. Below are the scholars who can comment on the next COVID-19 stimulus package.
You can connect with all researchers available to comment on the Administration's policy priorities here.
Gatta's research focuses on gender, workforce, education and aging policy. She is available to comment on minimum wage, retirement insecurity, women in the workforce, healthcare and other worker issues.
"Many of the challenges women faced in the workplace-- gender pay inequity, lack of access to paid leave, discrimination, and precarious jobs, have been amplified by the pandemic. President elect Biden's COVID-19 stimulus is an important first step to address some of these inequities. Far too many workers lost jobs, income, healthcare and retirement savings, we need a policy response that addresses the structural inequities of the labor market to ensure that all workers can reach economic security."
Horton researches how U.S. labor laws and immigration policies affect immigrant farmworkers. She is available to comment on the exclusion of undocumented immigrants and their citizen children from stimulus packages and the economic and social impact on immigrant families of having been excluded.
"The first order of any new stimulus bill should be providing aid to those previously cut out--immigrants who pay taxes with an ITIN and their citizen children. Immigrant families have been serving at the frontlines of the pandemic and deserve our help."
Mazelis specializes in the study of urban poverty and social support, using qualitative interview methods to explore the meaning and understanding people have of their own situations. She is available to comment on housing insecurity and homelessness, poverty, food insecurity, student loan debt forgiveness, interest rates on loans, and loan repayment pause/freeze.
"Even if the eviction moratorium is extended, unpaid rent has accrued for those who haven’t been able to pay housing costs over the past several months. They won’t be able to pay thousands of dollars in back rent. People need financial assistance to be able to stay in their homes."
Nelson's research interests include Black political leadership, Black women as political agents, and the Black experience throughout the Diaspora. She is available to comment on policies that will particularly effect Blacks in the following areas: higher-education, racial wealth gap, voting rights, and housing.
“Data from the US Department of Education show that Blacks are two times more likely to default on their student loans. This is not surprising as 46% of Blacks are eligible for the Pell Grant, a federal financial aid award given to students with exceptional financial need. Loan forgiveness especially for Black students is needed if the racial wealth gap is ever to be closed.”