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Per capita (per person) personal income is one important measure of the economic well being of a society. In 2002 Delaware per capita income was 18% above the nation ( see chart below ).   It has been downhill since then with 2019 seeing Delaware per capita income registering 4% below the nation.  What has happened? Delaware Per Capita Income as a Percent of the U.S. (GRAPH SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Economics Analysis)   Economists track personal income as three major components

People vote with their dollars By   David T. Stevenson June 23, 2020 Environmental groups claim widespread support for more energy efficient smaller vehicles, and expensive electric vehicles that are generally compact cars. This release from the U.S. Energy Information Agency shows how Americans are actually voting with their dollars.    Car and light duty truck/SUV's sales in the January to April period historically were about equal through good times and bad, but since 2015

Delaware's Economic Gap By  Dr. John Stapleford June 11, 2020 As shown in the chart below, since 1990 growth in total employment in Delaware kept pace with the nation until the 2007-08 recession. From that point onward the growth in Delaware employment has lagged the nation and the gap between the two is growing.   Between 2008 and 2019 Delaware employment increased 4.8% while jobs in the U.S. rose 8.2%. Similarly, Delaware output rose 8% while output across the nation increa

Delaware's Economic Gap Dr. John E. Stapleford, Director | 6/11/2020 As shown in the chart below, since 1990 growth in total employment in Delaware kept pace with the nation until the 2007-08 recession. From that point onward the growth in Delaware employment has lagged the nation and the gap between the two is growing.   Between 2008 and 2019 Delaware employment increased 4.8% while jobs in the U.S. rose 8.2%. Similarly, Delaware output rose 8% while output across the nation

Thanks Pete! Dr. John E. Stapleford, Director | 6/11/2020 Delaware, like the nation, has experimented with two approaches to governance. Governor Pete DuPont believed that lower taxes and deregulation encouraged entrepreneurship and hard work. Governors Markell and Carney believe that government spending and regulations hold the key to a fair and prosperous society.   What does the data say?   A simple approach is to compare the economic performance of Delaware under eight ye

Did Delaware "flatten the curve?" By  Matt Lenzini June 9, 2020 "Flatten the curve" – the phrase has become an imbedded part of the American lexicon. Delawareans were asked to help "flatten the curve" in mid-March.    Governor Carney’s executive orders originally called for a 2-week period of distancing as well as the formal closure of public gathering places and private businesses.   We are now 3 months into our 2-week quarantine.    The premise was simple – by limiting the

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COVID and the Working Poor By  Dr. John Stapleford May 18, 2020 As of this date there have been officially 290 COVID related deaths in Delaware out of a population of 982,000.  This is a death rate of three one-hundred of one percent (.03%). There have been 7,870 confirmed COVID cases for an incidence rate of eight-tenth of one percent (.8%). The state government’s response, shutting down large portions of the Delaware economy, has been especially hard on the working poor.  

The Caesar Rodney Institute announces Matt Lenzini as new Board Chair (Newark, DE)  - The Caesar Rodney Institute has announced that the Board has elected Matt Lenzini as their new Board Chair. Matt brings seasoned experience to the organization, including being a contributor to the organization's research and has served as a board member and Vice-Chairman.   In Matt's new role, he will be directly responsible for leading the Board and Executive Committee to carry out its gov