The Painful Lesson: Defense Is Not Enough

• Urban Institute experts write that the Biden administration's rent stabilization proposal aims to cap annual rent increases at 5% for units owned by large landlords, conditioned on maintaining existing tax breaks, aiming to stabilize housing and protect tenants from eviction or displacement.
• The experts argue that while the proposal could make more units affordable for low-income residents, it may also reduce the overall supply of rental units as landlords might convert properties or avoid entering the market, potentially driving up rents for uncontrolled units.

• Experts at Brookings argue that Kamala Harris has regained lost ground for the Democrats, erasing the "enthusiasm gap" and leading in both national and key swing state polls against Donald Trump.
• They examine the reliability of poll averages, highlighting historical underestimation of Trump’s support and the necessity for Harris to maintain significant momentum to secure victory.

• William H. Frey at Brookings argues that Vice President Kamala Harris's nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate has invigorated the race, with a particular impact on female voters who have historically supported Democratic candidates.

​

• The analysis reviews that women's votes were crucial in recent elections, highlighting how post-Roe v. Wade changes and Harris’s advocacy on women's issues could lead to a significant voting surge, potentially favoring her in the 2024 election.

• Samantha Gross and Louison Sall at Brookings argue that Donald Trump advocates for a shift in U.S. energy policy, focusing on fossil fuels, reducing regulations, and opposing renewable energy initiatives to lower energy costs and achieve "energy dominance."
• The article asserts that Trump's ability to implement his energy agenda depends on Congress and the courts, with recent Supreme Court decisions potentially aiding his deregulatory efforts in a second term.

• Comfort Oshagbemi and David Wessel at Brookings examine why the U.S. spends substantially more on transportation infrastructure compared to other countries, highlighting limited state DOT capacity and over-reliance on consultants as key cost-drivers.
• The authors argue that limited competition and insufficient bidder outreach in the market for government construction contracts contribute to higher infrastructure costs in the U.S., and increasing bidder outreach and improving project planning can significantly reduce these costs.