Federal Economic Statistics Advisory Committee
The Federal Economic Statistics Advisory Committee (FESAC) advises the Directors of the Department of Commerce's statistical agencies, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Commissioner of the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), on statistical methodology and other technical matters related to the collection, tabulation, and analysis of federal economic statistics.
Upcoming Meetings: December 11, 2020 (tentative)
In this picture, left to right: Ron Jarmin (Census), Robert Groves, Dick Rippe, Martin Fleming, Colm O'Muircheartaigh, Joseph Altonji, John Haltiwanger, Matthew Shapiro, William Beach (BLS), Maurine Haver, Brian Moyer (BEA), David Weinstein, Kirk Wolter, William Wiatrowski (BLS), Patrick Bajari, John Abowd (Census), Steven Dillingham (Census). Current Members
- Professor Joseph AltonjiDepartment of Economics, Yale University
- Professor Patrick BajariDepartment of Economics, University of Washington, and Vice President and Chief Economist, Amazon.com
- Professor Kerwin CharlesDeputy Dean, Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago
- Dr. Martin FlemingVP, Chief Analytics Officer, and Chief Economist, IBM Corporation
-
Dr. Erica GroshenCornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and Research Fellow at the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
- Professor Robert GrovesProvost, Georgetown University
- Professor John C. HaltiwangerDepartment of Economics, University of Maryland
- Maurine HaverPresident, Haver Analytics
- Professor Emi NakamuraChancellor's Professor of Economics at University of California, Berkeley and Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research
- Professor Colm O'MuircheartaighHarris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago
- Dr. Richard D. RippeManaging Director & Economist, Evercore ISI
- Professor Matthew D. Shapiro (FESAC Chairperson)Department of Economics and Survey Research Center, University of Michigan
- Dr. Mel StephensDepartment of Economics, University of Michigan
- Professor David WeinsteinDepartment of Economics, Columbia University
- Dr. David WilcoxSenior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics
- Professor Kirk M. WolterPrincipal Statistical Advisor and Senior Fellow, National Opinion Research Center (NORC); and Professor, Department of Statistics, University of Chicago
Meetings
- Watch the full June 12 FESAC meeting.
Agenda
International Response to Pandemic
- Jennifer Withington, Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada – Responding to the Pandemic - Jonathan Athow, Office for National Statistics
Measuring the UK Economy During Lockdown: Challenges and Opportunities - Paul Schreyer, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Ensuring High Quality Statistics in Response to Covid-19: OECD Initiatives
Private/Public Data Projects Addressing Pandemic-Related Issues
- John Stevens, Federal Reserve Board
The Potential for Alternative Data in Official Statistics - Hal Varian, Google
Search and Schemas
Google Dataset Search by the Numbers - Vivek Pandya and Costa Lasiy, Adobe
Adobe Digital Economy Index - Abe Dunn, Bureau of Economic Analysis
Measuring the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Consumer Spending Using Card Transaction Data - Jay Stewart, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Adjusting BLS Estimates of Employment and Hours for COVID-19-Related Job Losses - Hyon B. Shin and Kathryn Bonney, U.S. Census Bureau
Census Bureau Pulse Surveys
Agenda
Evidence Act
- Nick Hart, Bipartisan Policy Center
Presentation - A New Era for Federal Data Policy: The Evidence Commission and Beyond - Nancy Potok, Office of Management & Budget Presentation
Big Steps to Increase Data Access for Evidence-Building; Title III of the Evidence Act - Barbara Downs & Heather Madray, U.S. Census Bureau
Presentation - Application Portal for Restricted Data for Federal Statistics - Michael Hawes, U.S. Census Bureau
Presentation - Increasing Access, Reducing Risk: A Conceptual Framework for Tiered Data Access
Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Data
- Daron Acemoglu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Presentation - Automation and Work - Daron Acemoglu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Pascual Restrepo, Boston University
Background - Robots and Jobs: Evidence from US Labor Markets - Daron Acemoglu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Pascual Restrepo, Boston University
Background - Automation and New Tasks: How Technology Displaces and Reinstates Labor - Lucia Foster , U.S. Census Bureau
Presentation - Measuring Business Adoption and Use of Advanced Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Data - Nicole Nestoriak, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Presentation - How BLS is Working to Understand the Future Of Work
Agenda
Consumption Poverty Measure
- Nancy Potok, Office of Management and Budget
Poverty Measures: Setting the Stage - Bruce Meyer, University of Chicago
Consumption and Comprehensive Income Poverty - David Johnson, University of Michigan
Consumption Poverty: Measurement Matters
Big Data for 21st Century Economic Statistics
- Matthew Shapiro, University of Michigan, and John Haltiwanger, University of Maryland
"Re-Engineering Key National Economic Indicators" - Kyle Hood, Bureau of Economic Analysis
"Off to the Races: A Comparison of Machine Learning and Alternative Data for Predicting Economic Indicators" - Rebecca Hutchinson, Census Bureau
"Investigating Alternative Data Sources to Reduce Respondent Burden in United States Census Bureau Retail Economic Data Products" - David Friedman, Bureau of Labor Statistics
"Big Data in the U.S. Consumer Price Index: Experiences & Plans"
Background Document
Agenda
Reorganizing Economic Statistical Agencies
- Nancy Potok, Office of Management and Budget
Presentation - Charles Bean, London School of Economics and Office for Budget Responsibility
Presentation
Quality-Adjusted Price Indices Powered by ML and AI
- Pat Bajari and Victor Chernozhukov, Amazon
Presentation
How Modern Disclosure Avoidance Methods Could Change the Way Statistical Agencies Operate
- John Abowd, Census Bureau
Presentation
Background Document: An Economic Analysis of Privacy Protection and Statistical Accuracy as Social Choices - Steven Ruggles, University of Minnesota
Presentation
Background Document: Implications of Differential Privacy for Census Bureau Data and Research - Erica Groshen, Cornell University
Presentation - Kirk Wolter, NORC and University of Chicago
Presentation
Agenda
Seasonal Adjustment
- Dave Wasshausen, Bureau of Economic Analysis
Presentation
Contingent Work and the Gig Economy
- Mike Horrigan, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Presentation - Shanthi Ramnath, Department of the Treasury
Presentation
Background Document: The Rise of Alternative Work Arrangements: Evidence and Implications for Tax Filing and Benefit Coverage - Jim Spletzer, Census Bureau
Presentation
Background Document: Measuring the Gig Economy: Current Knowledge and Open Issues - Jonathan Hall, Uber
Presentation - Christopher Hooton, George Washington University and the Internet Association
Presentation
Background Document: America's online 'jobs': conceptualizations, measurements, and influencing factors - Diana Farrell, JPMorgan Chase Institute
Presentation - Joseph Altonji, Yale University
Presentation
Agenda
Report from the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking
- Katharine Abraham, University of Maryland
The Promise of Evidence-Based Policymaking
Background Material: CEP final report 9-7-2017
Background Material: BPC blog post on Ryan-Murray legislation 11-1-2017 - John Haltiwanger, University of Maryland
- Matthew Shapiro, University of Michigan
- Kirk Wolter, NORC at the University of Chicago
Comments on the Promise of Evidence-Based Policymaking
The Digital Economy
- Erich Strassner, Bureau of Economic Analysis
Highlights and Challenges of Measuring the Digital Economy - David Friedman, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Measuring the Digital Economy at BLS: Focus on Price Index Programs - Nathan Goldschlag, Census Bureau
Direct and Indirect Measures of the Economic Impact of the Digital Economy
Background Material: The Management and Organizational Practices Survey (MOPS): An Overview
Background Material: Business Dynamics Statistics of High Tech Industries
Background Material: Measuring the Gig Economy, Current Knowledge and Open Issues - Susan Athey, Stanford University
- Patrick Bajari, Amazon
Measurement of the Digital Economy
Agenda
The Role of the Statistical Agencies in the 21st Century
- Robert Moffitt, Johns Hopkins University
Moffitt Remarks - John Haltiwanger, University of Maryland
The Role of Statistical Agencies in the 21st Century
Globalization
- Tom Howells, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
Highlights and Challenges of Measuring Global Production - Brad Jensen, Georgetown University and U.S. Census Bureau, and Fariha Kamal, U.S. Census Bureau
Business Dynamics of Globally Engaged Firms - Mina Kim, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
FDI and the Task Content of Domestic Employment for U.S. Multinationals
Background Material: FDI and the Task Content of Domestic Employment for U.S. Multinationals
Background Material: Domestic employment in U.S.-based multinational companies - Hal Varian, Google
Measurement Challenges in High Tech - Susan Helper, Case Western Reserve University
Global Discussion - David Weinstein, Columbia University
Comments on Presentations
Agenda
Seasonal Adjustment
- Brent Moulton, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
Residual Seasonality in GDP and GDI: Findings and Next Steps
Background Material: Residual Seasonality in GDP and GDI: Findings and Next Steps - Tucker McElroy, U.S. Census Bureau
Challenges with Seasonal Adjustment
Background Material: Time Series seasonal adjustment using regularized singular value decomposition - Jonathan Wright, Johns Hopkins University
Comments on Seasonal Adjustment - Maurine Haver, Haver Analytics
- Dick Rippe, Evercore ISI
FESAC Meeting on Seasonal Adjustment
Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission
- Katharine Abraham, University of Maryland
Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking
Federal Statistical Research Data Centers
- Barbara Downs and Lucia Foster, U.S. Census Bureau
Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDC)
Measuring Retail Trade
- Ron Jarmin, U.S. Census Bureau
- David Friedman, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Aditya Aladangady, Federal Reserve Board, and Dan Moulton, Palantir Technologies
Exploring New Sources of Spending Data: First Data Transactions Data - Matthew Shapiro, University of Michigan
Using Naturally ‐ Occurring Data for Retail Sales, CPI, and PCE: The Future is Now - Martin Fleming, IBM
Retail Sales – The New Reality
Agenda
Measuring Retail Trade with Administrative Data
- Ellen Hughes-Cromwick, Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Commerce
Improving the Quality, Scope, and Timeliness of Economic Statistics - Abe Dunn, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
Improving Regional PCE Estimates Using Credit Card Transaction Data - Scott Scheleur, U.S. Census Bureau
Retail Big Data Overview - David Friedman, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Measuring Retail Trade with Administrative Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Matthew Shapiro, University of Michigan
Measuring Retail Trade with Administrative Data (continued)
- David Weinstein, Columbia University and NBER, and Steve Redding, Princeton University and NBER
Big Data and the Measurement of Prices and Real Economic Activity
Background Material: A Unified Approach to Estimating Demand and Welfare
Background Material: Quantifying the Sources of Firm Heterogeneity - Judith Chevalier, Yale University and NBER
Best Prices
Background Material: Best Prices - Krishna Rao, Zillow
The Zillow Experience - Chris Wheat, J.P. Morgan Chase Institute
A Global Think Tank
BackgroFund Material: Local Consumer Commerce
Background Material: Profiles of Local Consumer Commerce - Joe Reisinger, Premise
Premise
Agenda
The Future of Economic Statistics
Measuring Skills Acquisition
- Sharon Boivin, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education
Developing New Definitions and Data Sources
Background Material: Adult Education and Training Survey
Background Material: Draft Survey Items - Christina Pena, Workforce Data Quality Campaign (WDQC)
Connecting Education and Training to Workforce Outcomes - Morris Kleiner, University of Minnesota
Measuring Occupational Regulation by Government
Background Material: Reforming Occupational Licensing Policies
Background Material: Occupational Licensing: A Framework for Policymakers
Background Material: Certification and License Items by Survey - Jesse Rothstein, University of California, Berkeley
Discussion
Agenda
The Challenges of Mixed Devices for Survey Data Collection
- The Evolution of Password Requirements in the Consumer Expediture Diary Survey, by Brandon Kopp, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Centurion: Internet Data Collection and Responsive Design, by Joe Mistichelli, Glenn Eanes, and Rachel Horwitz, U.S. Census Bureau
- Mobility Enabled: Effects of Mobile Devices on Survey Response and Substantive Measures, by Frances Barlas, GfK Custom Research
- Discussion, by Don Dillman, Washington State University
Commercial Big Data and Official Economic Statistics
- Naturally-Occurring Account Data, by Dan Silverman, Arizona State University.
- Small Business Indicators, by Susan Woodward, Sand Hill Econometrics
- The CFPB Consumer Credit Panel: Direct Use and as a Sampling Frame, by Chris Carroll, Consumer Finance Protection Bureau
- Discussion, by David Johnson, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
- Discussion, by John Eltinge, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Discussion, by Ron Prevost, U.S. Census Bureau
Agenda
Improving Business Lists Through Data Sharing
- Data Sharing: Progress and Challenges at BLS by Richard Clayton
- Improving the Business Register Through Data-Sharing: Uses and Challenges by Brandy L. Yarbrough
Background Material by Brandy L. Yarbrough
Improving Business Lists Through Data Sharing: BEA Perspective by Ted Morgan
Discussion: Comments on "Improving Business Lists Through Data Sharing" by John Haltiwanger
FESAC statment on Data Synchronization
Measurement of the Financial Sector
- Enhanced Financial Accounts by Paul Smith
- Producer Price Indexes for Financial Services by Andrew Baer
- FESAC Discussion on the Measurement of Financial Services: Perspective from the National Accounts by Dennis J. Fixler
- OFR's Approach to Data Gaps: A Case Study on Bilateral Repo by Susan Stiehm
- Discussion: Comments on Financial Statistics Session by Dick Rippe
BLS-Census Micro Productivity Project
Agenda
Update
Autocoding
- Using an Autocoder to Code Industry and Occupation in the ACS by Jennifer Cheeseman Day
Background Material by Matthew Thompson, Michael Kornbau, Julie Vesely - Automated Injury Coding by Alexander Measure
Paradata and Adaptive Design
- Early Experience of Adaptive Design Work in the NSCG by Ben Reist
- Paradata and Adaptive Design: Examples from BLS by Scott Fricker
Income and Wage Inequality Statistics
- Inequality Statistics from the LEHD by James Spletzer
- - Background Material by James Spletzer
- Occupational Employment Statistics by Laurie Salmon
- Distributional Estimates in the U.S. National Accounts by Kevin Furlong
- - Background Material by Clinton McCully
- - Background Material by Dennis Fixler and David Johnson
- - Background Material by Selma Goldsmith
Agenda
Housing
- Household Estimates Conundrum by Arthur Cresce
- CPI Housing Initiative by Crystal Konny
- - Background Material
- Discussion: Housing Statistics by Richard Rippe
Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- The Affordable Care Act and Survey Data by Helen Levy
- The ACA and Beyond by Irma Arispe
- Classification of ACA Transactions in the Federal Sector by Benjamin Mandel
- BLS Employment-Based Health Benefits and the ACA by William Wiatrowski
- Health Insurance Coverage Statistics by David Johnson
- Using the MEPS-IC to Understand the Impact of the ACA by Alace Zawacki
- Discussion: ACA-Implications for Statistical Programs by Barry Bosworth
Agenda
Factoryless Goods Producers
- Impact of Globalization on the U.S. Statistical System by Maureen Doherty
- Factoryless Goods Producers in the U.S. Accounts by Dylan Rassier
- Factoryless Goods Producers Agency Update Census by Robert Miller
- BLS Update on Factoryless Goods Producers by David Talan and Vincent Russo
- Discussion: Factoryless Production by Barry Bosworth
- Background Material: Reflecting Factoryless Goods Production in the U.S. Statistical System by Maureen Doherty
The North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) and the Economic Census
- NAPCS Implementation in the Economic Census by John Burns Murphy
- NAPCS and the Economic Census by Ted Morgan
- NAPCS in the Economic Census: BLS Perspectives by David Friedman
- Discussion: Comments on "NAPCS and the Economic Census" by John Haltiwanger
- Discussion: NAPCS and the Economic Census by Jay Breidt
- Background Material: Census Reingineering and the Implementation of NAPCS by John Burns Murphy
Agenda
Presentations
- Measuring What We Spend: Toward a New Consumer Expenditure Survey
- Measuring What We Spend: Toward a New Consumer Expenditure Survey: Recommendations
- BLS Response to CNSTAT Recommendations: The Road Ahead
- Census Response to CNSTAT: Data Collection Issues
- Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE) Redesign: Implications for National Economic Accounts
- Expanding Upon Issues in Measuring What We Spend: Toward a New Consumer Expenditure Survey
Agenda
Consumer Expenditure Survey Redesign
Financial Sector Statistics
- Response to the Financial Crisis: Office of Financial Research
- US Flow of Funds Accounts: A Snapshot of Ongoing Improvements
- Data and the Crisis
Financial Sector Discussions
- Measurement of the FS: FESAC Response to the Financial Crisis
- Financial Sector Statistics and Systemic Risk
Health Price Statistics
- Meeting Canceled
- Meeting Canceled
- Meeting Canceled