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School bus driver shortage
Wage theft
Webinar
AI
The school bus driver shortage is worsening as wages fall once again
The longstanding school bus driver shortage is getting worse as wages fall. School bus driver employment fell by 5% over the past year and is now 15% below 2019 staffing levels.
This decline reflects profound funding challenges schools are facing, which have been exacerbated by the Trump administration’s attacks on public education, Republican cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in the 2025 tax and spending bill, and ongoing state/local attacks on school funding.

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Nearly $1 billion in stolen wages was recovered for workers in 2025

Nearly $1 billion in stolen wages was recovered for workers in 2025—thanks to federal, state, and local enforcement and class action settlements.

This staggering amount represents just a fraction of wages stolen from workers every year; previous EPI research has estimated that employers rob low-wage workers of more than $50 billion annually.

Policymakers at all levels should redouble their efforts to combat wage theft.

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The next recession: What could cause it and how policymakers should respond

Headline numbers point to strong U.S. economic growth, but a look beneath the surface reveals much shakier ground.

On Thursday, November 19, at 1 p.m. EST, join EPI economists for a webinar discussing what could trigger the next recession, which warning signs to watch for in the data, and what policymakers should do if it hits. 

Register here →

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A pro-worker AI policy playbook

Policy choices will determine how AI impacts workers. Our new policy brief shows how federal policymakers can take a pro-worker approach by strengthening unemployment insurance and building a better safety net for all workers.

Read our new policy brief with Workshop and We Build Progress

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