The Great Recession and the Not So Great Recovery

Economic Analysis

The Great Recession and the Not So Great Recovery

While the “Great Recession” was felt throughout the country, it hit California with particular ferocity. Within California few places suffered more than the Inland Empire. The annual growth rate of real GDP is one way to measure the fallout of the recession. Figure 1 compares the annual growth rate of real GDP in the Inland Empire [...]

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New Maps, Big Changes for the Inland Empire

Political Analysis

New Maps, Big Changes for the Inland Empire

Rep. David Drier (R-San Dimas), Chairman of the House Rules Committee cruised to a double-digit victory in California’s 26th Congressional District last November, trouncing his opponents with relative ease. Rep. Jerry Lewis, (R-Redlands) crushed his challenger by nearly 30 points last fall. Yet, come November 2012, both Congressmen may very well be out of a [...]

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2010 Census Shows Large Increase for Inland Empire

Political Analysis

2010 Census Shows Large Increase for Inland Empire

The twenty-third decennial United States Census, conducted in 2010 and released this past spring, provided up-to-date demographic data for the nation in categories including population, race, age, and sex. This data is used to determine the number of seats each state has in the United States House of Representatives and drives the allocation of much [...]

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Unemployment: “It’s the Education, Stupid”

Economic Analysis

Unemployment: “It’s the Education, Stupid”

The Inland Empire has been among the economically hardest hit regions in the U.S. during the Great Recession, with unemployment rates hovering around 14 percent since 2010. The misery, however, is not evenly spread among the various cities within the region. An analysis of the thirty-six cities with population above 25,000 shows that there is [...]

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Contract Cities: An Alternative Model

Political Analysis

Contract Cities: An Alternative Model

Local governments are under tremendous pressure to deliver services to their constituents with ever shrinking budgets. Many have responded by asking, “Are there other ways to provide public services?” Some are turning to other government agencies and the private sector as cost-effective alternatives. These contracting partnerships take many forms, and while many cities are still [...]

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Inland Empire Outlook

Inland Empire Outlook is a newsletter analyzing economic and political trends shaping California’s fastest growing region. The Lowe Institute of Political Economy and the Rose Institute of State and Local Government—two prominent research institutes at Claremont McKenna College—have joined forces to provide business and government leaders timely and sophisticated analysis of political and economic developments in this pivotal region.

All articles are available online, and or you can view a printable version here.

The Lowe Institute

The Lowe Institute of Political Economy analyzes economic policy issues and their social and political contexts. Director Marc Weidenmier, Ph.D., is a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research and a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Economic History. Manfred Keil, Ph.D., an expert in comparative economics, has extensive knowledge on economic conditions in the Inland Empire and has served as a consultant on economic development issues to several private firms in the region. Learn more about the Lowe Institute.

The Rose Institute

The Rose Institute of State and Local Government authors studies of political and demographic trends on national and local issues. Director Andrew Busch, Ph.D., is the Crown Professor of Government and George R. Roberts Fellow at Claremont McKenna College and currently serves as Chair of the Government Department. He has authored or co-authored eleven books on American politics. Kenneth P. Miller, J.D., Ph.D., is an expert in California politics and policy who studies political developments in the Inland Empire. David Huntoon, MBA, specializes in economic development in the region. See more at the Rose Report.

© Claremont McKenna College 2009.