Jump-Starting America Presentation at PIIE

Gruber and Johnson argue that the United States can grow faster, create more good jobs, and genuinely spread opportunity than it has in recent years, if the nation changes how and how much it invests. The authors propose a new approach to public investment by investing more in science and technology, placing those investments strategically around the country, and creating an innovation dividend—paying cash to all Americans every year, based on the success of public investments in the tech sector. Gruber and Johnson analyze specific recommendations for which technologies should receive public support, and which cities have the potential to become the next generation tech hubs. They wish to ensure that benefits from the next tech boom are shared more broadly, and that such a tech boom is brought forward.