Policy Analysis Tools: Adjusting for Inflation The Price of Policy

Has anyone ever told you something like, “back in my day, I used to buy a candy bar for 30 cents”? That sounds pretty sweet, right? (no pun intended) Well, we actually don’t know if they were getting a good deal relative to today until we adjust for inflation! As analysts we use a lot of tools to measure, predict, and compare the impacts of a policy, and adjusting for inflation is one of the most foundational. In the very first “Policy Analysis Tools” episode, Jordy Coutin explains why we need to adjust for inflation using specific LA examples such as minimum wage, rental prices, college tuition, and transportation spending!
 
If you’re interested in the math behind the calculation, be sure to check out our brand new website thepriceofpolicy.wixsite.com/thepop and follow us on Instagram @thepriceofpolicy, Twitter @thepopusc and on Facebook at The Price of Policy.
 
Contributors to this episode include Jordy Coutin and Colin Harmony.
Music by Jonah Chang and Jordy Coutin
Title art by Alexander Sarno.