Wendy Edelberg, senior fellow and director of The Hamilton Project at Brookings, discusses the positive impact of immigration on the dynamism and fiscal sustainability of the U.S. economy. She also explains her research on the impact immigrants have on local, state, and federal finances. As a whole, immigrants are a net benefit to the U.S. economy, but based largely on immigrants’ education levels, the fiscal cost is disproportionately paid by certain state and local areas. Together with co-author Tara Watson, Edelberg proposes a way to redirect some of the federal gains to these communities, piggy-backing on existing programs. Show notes and transcript Dollar & Sense is part of the Brookings Podcast Network. Learn more at brookings.edu/podcasts, and send feedback to podcasts@brookings.edu.

Wendy Edelberg and Jacob Leibenluft discuss a recent scandal involving the Bureau of the Fiscal Service in the Treasury Department. They delve into the alarming implications of political actors accessing sensitive financial systems, particularly under the influence of Elon Musk's DOGE initiative. The conversation highlights concerns about the integrity of federal payment processes and the potential risks to financial markets stemming from such meddling. They also underscore the importance of trust and accountability in government operations to protect vulnerable populations.

Wendy Edelberg, a Senior Fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution and former economist for both the Bush and Obama administrations, joins the discussion. The conversation centers on Trump's proposed tariffs and their potential chaos for global trade and consumer prices. Wendy shares insights on how these tariffs could affect everything from avocado prices to employment in manufacturing. The talk dives deep into the motivations behind these policies, weighing their political implications alongside economic realities.