How much would a job guarantee actually cost?

Why Democrats' big new policy idea might cost less than you've heard

Cory Booker.
(Image credit: AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Are Democrats getting their progressive groove back? Over the past week, a number of presidential hopefuls in the Senate have signed onto a job guarantee, a sort of public option for employment. If you want a job, the federal government will find you one, and pay you a living wage plus benefits to do it.

It's big and bold and inspiring. And it might cost less than you've heard.

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Jeff Spross

Jeff Spross was the economics and business correspondent at TheWeek.com. He was previously a reporter at ThinkProgress.