Tatiana Bailey, Director of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Economic Forum, discusses income inequality in the United States and how it has been amplified by Covid-19. 

Contributing factors discussed:
 
 -Groups with less income and wealth have less influence in private organizations and government.
-Disincentive to work when income is low.
 -Infrastructure and spending is less in marginalized neighborhoods.
 -Political distortions such as gerrymandering.
 -Income inequality is more pronounced in the United States than in other developed nations.
 -Covid-19 has hit lower income segments harder.
 
 Potential solutions:
 -Paid sick leave.
 -Reduce leverage of large companies who have significant leverage due to economies of scale and barriers to entry.
 -Ban stock buy-backs and capital distribution during Covid-19.
 -Raise taxes for higher income groups.
 -Close tax loopholes for wealthy individuals and corporations.
 -New deal 2.0 - National training campaign, green jobs, infrastructure investment, etc.
 -Investing in green technologies, which can generate jobs.

Tatiana Bailey
Executive Director of the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs Economic Forum

Interviewed by:
Morton Seja
Economic Growth Advisor
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