The Employment Policies Institute is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to studying public policy issues that affect entry-level employment. Over ninety percent of EPI’s research is performed by independent economists from major universities around the country. Research is subject to peer review. A board of eminent economists advises EPI on its research agenda, including: Nobel laureate Dr. James Heckman; Dr. Kevin Murphy, recipient of a 2005 MacArthur Fellowship; Dr. Charles Brown, Professor of Economics at the University of Michigan; Dr. Richard Burkhauser, former chairman of the Department of Policy Analysis and Management at Cornell University; Dr. Daniel Hamermesh, Professor of Economics at the University of Texas; and former Congressional Budget Office Director Dr. June O’Neil.

 EPI is always interested in research proposals from independent economists affiliated with accredited universities which focus, at least in part, on implications for entry-level employment. This document summarizes several specific issues for which EPI is currently seeking research proposals. These summaries are by design broad. We are open to more specific proposals on any of these subjects. To learn more or to submit a research proposal, contact Jill Jenkins, Chief Economist, 202-463-7650 or e-mail jenkins@epionline.org.

Employer Mandates

Several states have considered imposing payroll taxes to fund health insurance, often as part of a larger reform plan. Typically, these employer-mandated proposals take a “pay-or-play” structure, whereby employers have the option to either “pay” a fee to the state to provide insurance for their employees or “play” by providing coverage themselves. We are interested in research on the impacts of employer mandates, including those funded through payroll taxes. Some questions that might be considered include the effect on employment, the effect on the number of uninsured, the change in hours worked, and the effect on wages. Different parameters might also be investigated, including employer exemptions, payroll tax levels, and employees covered.

Distortions in the Healthcare Market and the Implications of Reforms

Three features of state health insurance policies that tend to raise the cost of health insurance are: state mandates where coverage is required for certain providers, benefits, and patient populations; guaranteed issue, whereby insurance companies are required to issue insurance regardless of individual circumstances; and community ratings which disallow premium variation based on age or health status. We are interested in research that explores the distortions these types of state specific requirements can have in the health insurance market.

We are also interested in research that explores methods of expanding health insurance options for consumers, potentially avoiding state specific requirements and lowering costs. One particular method we are interested in exploring is the “Shadegg bill” which would allow insurance companies to go through one national regulatory process for insurance markets in all states. Potential questions that might be addressed include: changes in the cost of insurance, changes in the number of uninsured individuals, and changes in the number of health insurance providers.

Effective Marginal Tax Rates for Minimum Wage Increases

When wages are increased, employees are subject to marginal tax rates on each dollar of income earned. For low-income individuals the multitude of government benefits, and their differing enrollment restriction, makes the calculation of these tax rates more complicated. The effective marginal tax rates for low-income individuals may be higher due to potential lost benefits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC), food stamps, housing credits, and Medicaid benefits. We are interested in research that addresses these effective marginal tax rates that affect minimum wage employees and their families. The primary question is the extent to which earning gains are offset by reductions in government assistance. This could be explored across a range of income levels and a variety of family structures. The effects will differ from state to state based on the generosity of government assistance. We are interested in both national and state level research.

Paid Family Leave

California has a paid family leave system in place where employees can receive up to 55% of their pay for 6 weeks and several other states are considering similar legislation. We are interested in research on the effects of paid family leave policies, particularly on the labor market. Research could be national and/or state-level and could be based on either general or specific plans. Questions that might be considered are the distribution of claims made by various demographic groups, the increased cost to employers, changes in other types of compensation, the rate of usage and potential for abuse, and other labor market adjustments, such as job loss.

Paid Sick Leave

San Francisco voters recently approved Proposition F, which requires all businesses, as well as individuals who hire part-time workers such as housekeepers and babysitters, to provide paid sick days to their employees. In its wake, several other cities and states are considering similar measures, as are several members of Congress. EPI is interested in research on the impact of sick leave policies, both general and specific. Potential questions include the direct cost of the policy to employers, the effect on employment, the effect on wages, changes in hours worked, and the extent to which employees may abuse the system, leaving shifts uncovered.

Minimum Wage Postmortem

Six states passed minimum wage ballot initiatives last November. We are interested in research that tracks the effects of one or more of these initiatives over time. Given the lagged effects that are frequently found in minimum wage research, this could conceivably be a longer-term project. Consistent with the literature, likely questions would include employment effects (jobs and hours), wage effects, income effects, costs, and impact on poverty.

Submission Procedure:

Proposals will be evaluated on an ongoing basis. There is no guarantee that proposals submitted later in the process will receive equal consideration. Proposals should include:

• A 100-word abstract summarizing the proposal along with a double spaced proposal not to exceed six pages, excluding references and attachments.
• Concise descriptions of data and methodology and plans for procuring third party data, if applicable.
• A project timetable and estimated budget showing breakdown of project costs.
• Resumes of the principle researchers showing experience and understanding of proposed research topic as evidenced by past work and publication, and providing postal addresses, email addresses, and daytime telephone numbers.

Submit proposals by mail or email to:

Jill Jenkins
Chief Economist
Employment Policies Institute
1090 Vermont Avenue, NW
Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005
202-463-7650 phone
202-463-7105 fax
jenkins@epionline.org