FCC Economics Office Still Waiting to Do First Full-Fledged Cost-Benefit Analysis

items with an effect on the economy of $100 million or more ( see 1801300026) and none has risen to that level since, said acting Chief Giulia McHenry. Only three items in the past five years rose above that threshold, she said. OEA itself makes the call on the overall economic effects of an item, she said. OEA evaluates commission-level items and has done an analysis of about 100 so far, about a third of which required more in-depth economic analysis, officials said. McHenry said the federal shutdown slowed the hiring of new economists, traditionally hired in January, but two new Ph.D. economists and two auction lawyers are joining the office. About 60 economists were shifted there from elsewhere in the FCC, she said. “We have one central location where economists can work together a little more, there’s a little more sort of cross-cultivation,” McHenry said. “It has empowered the economists a bit more to think independently.” Chairman Ajit Pai’s office has been “supportive” and “helpful,” McHenry said. “We certainly don’t consider ourselves above the fray,” but economists have to remember “they’re economists” and what their role is, McHenry said. OEA published its first white paper (see 1904050030), with another 10 or so in the works, officials said. As long as OEA is engaged early, it shouldn’t slow work on any item, McHenry said.