Rick Geddes, professor and founding director of Cornell University’s Program in Infrastructure Policy, says the biggest challenge to improving America’s infrastructure is funding.

Physical Sciences & Engineering

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On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its February job report, which is expected to show slight gains in the number of employees at U.S. businesses. Erica Groshen, senior economic advisor at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, says high infection rate and extreme weather conditions is likely to depress what could have been a more significant job growth.

Industrial and Labor Relations

Economics and Business

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Despite CDC recommendations that farmworkers should be one of the first groups selected for COVID-19 vaccinations, some of the top farming states have not prioritized agricultural workers. Beth Lyon and Mary Jo Dudley are available to discuss the importance of vaccinating farmworkers.

Labor Relations & Human Resources

Food & Agriculture

Agriculture and Life Sciences

Law and Policy

Law School

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Amanda Rodewald, senior director of the Center for Avian Population Studies at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, comments on migratory bird protections and the Biden administration's review of a Trump-era restriction to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Lab of Ornithology

Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Agriculture and Life Sciences

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Jaclyn Kelley-Widmer, professor of immigration law and director of Cornell University’s Immigration Law and Advocacy Clinic, says the court strike-down of the Biden administration's proposed 100-day moratorium on deportations means that it engage more effectively with ICE on conducting deportations.

Law and Policy

Law School

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Arthur Wheaton, an expert on the automotive industry, Christopher Ober, a materials engineering expert, and Ron Olson, director of operations for Cornell's Nanoscale facility, comment on a global shortage of semiconductors.

Engineering

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Industrial and Labor Relations

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Frank Lomax, an adjunct professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and an expert on the production of synthesis gas as well as plant design, construction and safety analysis, explains why pipelines in Texas can't handle the cold.

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Engineering

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Agricultural economist, Christopher Wolf, says Texas farmers who lost power for milkings may see prolonged lower production rates given possible negative health impacts for dairy cows. He adds while it’s possible there will be milk shortages in Texas and the surrounding regions, national milk production levels have been high, so most U.S. consumers will not see supply issues caused by the storm.

Food & Agriculture

Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management

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This week, the Biden administration will revise the Paycheck Protection Program, the main U.S. coronavirus relief program for small businesses, to focus its reach to smaller, minority firms. Tom Schryver, visiting lecturer at Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business and the David J. BenDaniel Faculty Advisor for the BR Ventures Fund, says small firms have lacked the resources available to large companies. As such, providing them with targeted loans is crucial for their survival.

Economics and Business

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On Friday, Britain’s Supreme Court ruled that Uber drivers are covered by employment law protections. As such, the decision guarantees that they are entitled to rights such as minimum wage and vacation time. Alex Colvin, dean of Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and an expert in employment dispute resolution, says the decision is in line with Europe’s trajectory of broadening the reach of employment rights, a trend that stands in contrast with current U.S. law. 

Economics and Business

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