This paper examines the long-term impact of wage transparency policies on gender wage disparities in the U.S. public sector. Using administrative payroll data and a difference-in-differences framework, I analyze how individual pay disclosure shapes wage setting and gender equity over time. Preliminary results show no significant long-term reduction in the gender wage gap, though there is evidence of lower wages among men and at the top of the wage distribution. By documenting these distributional adjustments without lasting equity effects, the study contributes to the literature on pay transparency and offers timely evidence for policymakers.

Punishment is a tool frequently employed by lawmakers to deter criminal behavior, with sanctions serving both to penalize offenders and to create disincentives for potential wrongdoers. In the context of crime detection and investigation, information from private citizens is crucial in assisting authorities. However, the relationship between the severity of punishment and the likelihood of crime reporting remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate whether the severity of sanctions influences individuals' incentives to report criminal activities. 

Telerehabilitation offers the potential to improve access to specialty rehabilitation for people with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and reduce health disparities for those living in geographically rural/remote areas. The success of telerehabilitation depends on the extent to which the service meets the patient’s needs and their ability to access the services remotely. This study aims to help practitioners and government agencies develop effective and patient centered telerehabilitation services for mTBI patients. The findings suggestion that mTBI patients value rehabilitation services, and that practitioners and government agencies should consider offering long-telerehabilitation sessions. Further research is warranted to assess the efficacy and feasibility of implementing  telerehabilitation programs in clinical settings for mTBI patients. 

The August 2025 UC Merced Community and Labor Center report uses Current Population Survey (CPS) data to examine the effects of federal immigration enforcement on California’s labor market. It finds that intensified enforcement is linked to lower labor force participation, greater job instability, and increased fear among immigrant workers, particularly in agriculture, construction, and hospitality. 

This report analyzes recent trends in California’s oil and gas production and their fiscal and labor market implications. Funded by the California State Legislature, the UC Merced Community and Labor Center conducted the California Oil and Gas Tax Study in 2023. Using official government data from 2020–2023, we examine industry production, revenues, property taxes, and employment to assess the broader economic impacts of the state’s energy transition .