Molly Smith, Bloomberg's economics editor, and William Beach, former BLS commissioner, discuss the significance of U.S. economic data and the challenges it faces. They delve into the potential impact of funding cuts on agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which may lead to unreliable unemployment figures. The conversation also highlights the innovative approaches needed to improve data collection, while underscoring the importance of accurate data for market decisions and community planning. Will the integrity of crucial economic data hold up?
