News & Commentary

October 30, 2016

Maia Usui

Maia Usui is a student at Harvard Law School.

The week ended with some good news, as the Commerce Department reported GDP growth of 2.9% for the third quarter — the highest rate we’ve seen in two years.  Wages and benefits were also up, according to the Labor Department.  POLITICO reports on what these strong numbers might mean for Donald Trump — who has built his campaign on a message of economic doom and gloom — as the election nears.

Speaking of which, a new poll from the AFL-CIO reveals that Trump’s popularity among union members is waning, with only about 30% still supporting him.  The AFL-CIO — which has endorsed Hillary Clinton — and other unions are now ramping up efforts to get out the vote for their candidate, with a plan to contact millions of voters before the election.  POLITICO has more.

Meanwhile, some working-class voters still question whether Clinton is the right candidate for them.  In its latest issue, The New Yorker discusses the Democratic Party’s complicated past with the working class — and Clinton’s chances of winning them back.

The Supreme Court continues to select cases for its new Term, and this week it granted review in Gloucester County School Board v. G.G.  The Court will decide whether public schools can be required, under Title IX, to allow transgender students to use bathrooms that conform with their gender identity.  Commentators have already noted the potential implications for private employers and their obligations under Title IX’s sister statute, Title VII.

And finally, in recent gig news, Britain’s controversial decision on Uber drivers (covered on this blog here and here) continues to stir up debate.  The Guardian and The Telegraph offer opposing viewpoints.

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