UAW strike, possible government shutdown, internet insecurity topics in latest MSU IPPSR State of the State podcast

<p>This month’s State of the State podcast from Michigan State University’s <a href="https://ippsr.msu.edu/"><strong>Institute for Public Policy and Social Research</strong></a> has <a href="https://twitter.com/mattgrossmann"><strong>Matt Grossmann</strong></a> and Arnold Weinfeld from the institute and emeritus economics professor Charley Ballard discussing the state of the national and Michigan economies, the UAW contract strike against the Big 3 automakers, and a possible government shutdown.</p><p> </p><p>Keith Hampton, director of academic research at Michigan State University’s Quello Center, joins the group to discuss a <a href="https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2023/msu-study-pandemic-gains-in-broadband-access-for-rural-students-are-fading">new study</a> from Michigan State University that warns that gains made to address broadband and internet connectivity in Michigan rural communities are beginning to fade.  </p><p> </p><p><strong><em>Conversation Highlight</em></strong><strong>s</strong>:</p><p> </p><p>(1:27) – “One of the big stories in Michigan the last two thirds of a century is the relative shrinkage of the auto industry.”</p><p> </p><p>(3:13) – “Best case scenario for Michigan is a relatively short strike with an agreement that is generous enough to the workers that it puts more money in their paychecks, which they can then spend at the grocery store and the hardware store, but not so generous that it cripples the companies going forward.”</p><p> </p><p>(5:23) – “Public opinion polls show more support for organized labor then they have in the past, but they’re still in a long slide downward.”</p><p> </p><p>(8:00) – “Flint is the poster child for the decline of the auto industry.”</p><p> </p><p>(12:30) – “There’s a lot of theatre so far. There’s really not much support for a government shutdown, even in the Republican caucus.”</p><p> </p><p>(17:04) – “Women’s earnings…the gender earnings ratio – the ratio of the earnings of the average woman to the average man – increased to an all-time high f