Amy M. Traub
@amymtraub.bsky.social
Research for a more just and equitable economy. Currently focused on unemployment insurance policy.
Pinned
Amy M. Traub
@amymtraub.bsky.social
· Apr 24
The Unemployed Worker Study - National Employment Law Project
As analysts warn of the risk of recession, strengthening unemployment insurance should be an urgent priority for policymakers.
www.nelp.org
Amid warnings of a looming recession, my new research with @awhf.bsky.social and Sanjay Pinto (and via @nelp.org) exposes major deficiencies in the unemployment insurance system that millions of workers will rely on if they lose their jobs. 🧵 www.nelp.org/insights-res...
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
Glad I saved this piece for this morning to read and sit with. A grounding and uplifting way to start my week.
My latest is a love letter to Chicago. "I see you stumbling through the stubborn, awkward rhythm of showing up, again and again. I see you fighting alongside people who sometimes frustrate and confuse you, and defending neighbors you may have never met, because you know they’re all your people."
In Chicago, We Run Toward Danger Together
"Faced with unrelenting state violence, Chicagoans have refused to be cowed," says Mariame Kaba.
organizingmythoughts.org
November 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Glad I saved this piece for this morning to read and sit with. A grounding and uplifting way to start my week.
November 8, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
Mamdani's line that billionaires spent more to oppose his candidacy than he proposed to tax them really says it all.
Like a company that shuts down a profitable location as soon as it unionizes. The principle of maintaining control is more important.
Like a company that shuts down a profitable location as soon as it unionizes. The principle of maintaining control is more important.
November 8, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Mamdani's line that billionaires spent more to oppose his candidacy than he proposed to tax them really says it all.
Like a company that shuts down a profitable location as soon as it unionizes. The principle of maintaining control is more important.
Like a company that shuts down a profitable location as soon as it unionizes. The principle of maintaining control is more important.
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
Cornell agreed to pay $30m, hand over admissions data with demographic breakdowns, produce annual "campus climate" surveys to check on antisemitism and changes "since October of 2023," and—here's the dumbest part they agreed to—that the govt can open new investigations whenever it wants.
Appeasers.
Appeasers.
Cornell has reached an agreement with the federal government to restore our funding:
statements.cornell.edu/2025/2025110...
statements.cornell.edu/2025/2025110...
An agreement to restore Cornell’s federal research funding | University Statements | Cornell University
statements.cornell.edu
November 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Cornell agreed to pay $30m, hand over admissions data with demographic breakdowns, produce annual "campus climate" surveys to check on antisemitism and changes "since October of 2023," and—here's the dumbest part they agreed to—that the govt can open new investigations whenever it wants.
Appeasers.
Appeasers.
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
It’s #JobsDay, but the government shutdown leaves us without employment data for a 2nd month.
Instead, we’re looking at news of corporate layoffs 👀 and the inadequate support laid-off #workers stand to receive. Read our analysis and this 🧵 www.nelp.org/critical-job...
Instead, we’re looking at news of corporate layoffs 👀 and the inadequate support laid-off #workers stand to receive. Read our analysis and this 🧵 www.nelp.org/critical-job...
Critical Jobs Data Delayed a Second Month Due to Government Shutdown: Corporate Layoffs Underscore Need to Strengthen Unemployment Insurance - National Employment Law Project
In states across the country, unemployment insurance systems are not equipped to adequately support newly laid off workers.
www.nelp.org
November 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM
It’s #JobsDay, but the government shutdown leaves us without employment data for a 2nd month.
Instead, we’re looking at news of corporate layoffs 👀 and the inadequate support laid-off #workers stand to receive. Read our analysis and this 🧵 www.nelp.org/critical-job...
Instead, we’re looking at news of corporate layoffs 👀 and the inadequate support laid-off #workers stand to receive. Read our analysis and this 🧵 www.nelp.org/critical-job...
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
The elimination of USAID was an unforgivable moral atrocity that should haunt Trump, Elon Musk and Marco Rubio for the rest of their days and beyond
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 2:36 AM
The elimination of USAID was an unforgivable moral atrocity that should haunt Trump, Elon Musk and Marco Rubio for the rest of their days and beyond
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
As civil rights groups warned 7 years ago.
Facial recognition errors can have life-altering consequences. In @techpolicypress.bsky.social, CDT’s @jakelaperruque.bsky.social warns that ICE’s new approach — treating AI matches as definitive IDs — violates currently-understood DHS policy and endangers civil liberties.
ICE’s Reckless Reliance on Facial Recognition Puts Us All In Danger | TechPolicy.Press
Jake Laperruque raises the alarm on ICE’s reckless use of facial recognition and its risks for wrongful detainment.
www.techpolicy.press
November 6, 2025 at 5:51 PM
As civil rights groups warned 7 years ago.
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
Lots of federal workers who have lost their jobs. Maybe this is you.
We’re hiring!
Our new resume portal is live, and we’re looking for top talent in NYC to help build this administration and deliver on our affordability agenda.
Could that be you? Apply using the link below.
transition2025.com/apply
Our new resume portal is live, and we’re looking for top talent in NYC to help build this administration and deliver on our affordability agenda.
Could that be you? Apply using the link below.
transition2025.com/apply
November 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Lots of federal workers who have lost their jobs. Maybe this is you.
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
I'm hard-pressed to think of a non-Jewish Democratic politician who has spoken to Jews with more respect and empathy than Mamdani. The fact that many Jewish establishment orgs are going after him while staying relatively mum on resurgent Nazism is a disaster, both for American Jews and in general.
November 5, 2025 at 11:49 PM
I'm hard-pressed to think of a non-Jewish Democratic politician who has spoken to Jews with more respect and empathy than Mamdani. The fact that many Jewish establishment orgs are going after him while staying relatively mum on resurgent Nazism is a disaster, both for American Jews and in general.
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
This is the first speech that isn’t for white people. He reflected the actual population of NYC and didn’t cater to a consultant‘s vision of who is worthy. Yet, he clearly spoke about “kitchen table,” issues. It’s just that he included other people’s kitchens, too.
November 5, 2025 at 1:38 PM
This is the first speech that isn’t for white people. He reflected the actual population of NYC and didn’t cater to a consultant‘s vision of who is worthy. Yet, he clearly spoke about “kitchen table,” issues. It’s just that he included other people’s kitchens, too.
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
Cornell YDSA employed innovative outreach tactics to reach a highly transient electorate with limited canvassing opportunities. DSA campaigns like Hannah's are designing winning models to reach masses of people, and sets a historic precedent for @ydsa.org.
November 5, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Cornell YDSA employed innovative outreach tactics to reach a highly transient electorate with limited canvassing opportunities. DSA campaigns like Hannah's are designing winning models to reach masses of people, and sets a historic precedent for @ydsa.org.
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
Hannah wins in Ithaca Common Council Ward 5! A local Ithacan and Cornell student, Hannah united her constituents in a shared vision of affordability in Ithaca through rent stabilization and improved transit.
Congratulations to Ithaca DSA & Cornell YDSA!
Congratulations to Ithaca DSA & Cornell YDSA!
November 5, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Hannah wins in Ithaca Common Council Ward 5! A local Ithacan and Cornell student, Hannah united her constituents in a shared vision of affordability in Ithaca through rent stabilization and improved transit.
Congratulations to Ithaca DSA & Cornell YDSA!
Congratulations to Ithaca DSA & Cornell YDSA!
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
The factional grifters will hate this, but the Mamdani-Spanberger-Sherrill axis actually suggests the outlines of a broad, emerging Dem coalition organized around both anti-Trump *and* affordability politics, not a party bitterly divided against itself.
These big wins will embolden Dems to take on Trump's lawbreaking and show there's a price for GOP enabling of him. Folks hate to hear this, but normal patterns are asserting themselves: Liberalism isn't dead, Rs are likely to lose in 2026, and Trump is really unpopular, not a magical exception.
November 5, 2025 at 2:48 AM
The factional grifters will hate this, but the Mamdani-Spanberger-Sherrill axis actually suggests the outlines of a broad, emerging Dem coalition organized around both anti-Trump *and* affordability politics, not a party bitterly divided against itself.
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
NEWS: Trump says he will refuse to follow a court order demanding that he provide SNAP benefits to millions of Americans, choosing instead to force people to starve
November 4, 2025 at 4:18 PM
NEWS: Trump says he will refuse to follow a court order demanding that he provide SNAP benefits to millions of Americans, choosing instead to force people to starve
‘A Big Positive’: How One Company Plans to Profit From Medicaid Cuts
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
I would like for national political reporters to place a moratorium on “But what will voters in the rest of America think about New York City’s socialist mayor?” We don’t care! Red states are notably full of psycho politicians yet rarely do you see pundits asking Brooklyn people about them.
November 2, 2025 at 5:57 PM
I would like for national political reporters to place a moratorium on “But what will voters in the rest of America think about New York City’s socialist mayor?” We don’t care! Red states are notably full of psycho politicians yet rarely do you see pundits asking Brooklyn people about them.
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
The welfare state is about dignity, equality, and making people not poor, but as @itsafronomics.bsky.social says/cites here, it’s often also an investment that more than pays for itself
Why should you 🫵🏿 care about SNAP? SNAP recipients saw:
- Improved life expectancy
- Lower chance of incarceration
- Lowers chance of poverty
- Lived in better neighborhoods
- Higher human capital
SNAP keeps our neighbors fed, communities safer, and kids educated. Also people are HUNGRY. DUH!
- Improved life expectancy
- Lower chance of incarceration
- Lowers chance of poverty
- Lived in better neighborhoods
- Higher human capital
SNAP keeps our neighbors fed, communities safer, and kids educated. Also people are HUNGRY. DUH!
November 2, 2025 at 3:58 PM
The welfare state is about dignity, equality, and making people not poor, but as @itsafronomics.bsky.social says/cites here, it’s often also an investment that more than pays for itself
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
The assumption appears to be that ordinary voters will be cowed, obsequious, and unwilling to challenge autocracy, just like the billionaires, business leaders, media executives, and other leading institutions of civil society, which have decided that fighting back is “not worth the hassle.”
November 1, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The assumption appears to be that ordinary voters will be cowed, obsequious, and unwilling to challenge autocracy, just like the billionaires, business leaders, media executives, and other leading institutions of civil society, which have decided that fighting back is “not worth the hassle.”
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
He could have commented on the dangers of a president vowing to punish an entire city because he doesn’t like the democratically-elected Mayor, or asked Mamdani to do so. Instead, he took these threats for granted and asked whether voters should decide to be swayed by the rhetoric of an autocrat.
November 1, 2025 at 1:00 PM
He could have commented on the dangers of a president vowing to punish an entire city because he doesn’t like the democratically-elected Mayor, or asked Mamdani to do so. Instead, he took these threats for granted and asked whether voters should decide to be swayed by the rhetoric of an autocrat.
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
Private equity destroys 200-year-old book distribution company that libraries around the country rely on and now libraries are having trouble getting new books:
www.404media.co/libraries-sc...
www.404media.co/libraries-sc...
Libraries Scramble for Books After Giant Distributor Shuts Down
Why it might have been and may continue to be harder to get new releases from your local library.
www.404media.co
October 30, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Private equity destroys 200-year-old book distribution company that libraries around the country rely on and now libraries are having trouble getting new books:
www.404media.co/libraries-sc...
www.404media.co/libraries-sc...
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
Appreciate this coverage but it is hard to explain to people not in the Chicago area that THESE ARE NOT PROTESTS.
This is people coming out of their homes, doing anything in their power to try to stop their neighbors from being kidnapped.
It is coming for your city next, please be prepared.
This is people coming out of their homes, doing anything in their power to try to stop their neighbors from being kidnapped.
It is coming for your city next, please be prepared.
New from Bellingcat: “‘Pattern of Extreme Brutality’ — Tear gas, pepper balls among weapons used by federal agents at Illinois immigration protests.”
Read the full investigation:
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/10...
Read the full investigation:
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/10...
Tear Gas, Pepper Balls Among Weapons Deployed Against Illinois Protesters
A judge recently issued a restraining order on crowd-control tactics by federal agents in the state, including those involved in Operation Midway Blitz.
www.bellingcat.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Appreciate this coverage but it is hard to explain to people not in the Chicago area that THESE ARE NOT PROTESTS.
This is people coming out of their homes, doing anything in their power to try to stop their neighbors from being kidnapped.
It is coming for your city next, please be prepared.
This is people coming out of their homes, doing anything in their power to try to stop their neighbors from being kidnapped.
It is coming for your city next, please be prepared.
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
New Yorkers vote today if you haven’t and you get this
October 31, 2025 at 9:56 AM
New Yorkers vote today if you haven’t and you get this
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
Zohran Mamdani’s values are…
✨Jewish values ✨
We talk to our members on why they’re canvassing for @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social and not falling for Cuomo’s bigoted attempts to divert us away from winning the safe, affordable and fun city we all deserve.
✨Jewish values ✨
We talk to our members on why they’re canvassing for @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social and not falling for Cuomo’s bigoted attempts to divert us away from winning the safe, affordable and fun city we all deserve.
October 30, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Zohran Mamdani’s values are…
✨Jewish values ✨
We talk to our members on why they’re canvassing for @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social and not falling for Cuomo’s bigoted attempts to divert us away from winning the safe, affordable and fun city we all deserve.
✨Jewish values ✨
We talk to our members on why they’re canvassing for @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social and not falling for Cuomo’s bigoted attempts to divert us away from winning the safe, affordable and fun city we all deserve.
Reposted by Amy M. Traub
New: The Share of Mothers Who Work Is Shrinking – and Black Mothers Face the Steepest Declines.
nationalpartnership.org/report/share...
nationalpartnership.org/report/share...
The Share of Mothers Who Work Is Shrinking – and Black Mothers Face the Steepest Declines | National Partnership for Women & Families
New analysis from the National Partnership for Women & Families and The 75 Million Project finds that Black mothers of young children are facing the steepest declines in labor force participation in r...
nationalpartnership.org
October 30, 2025 at 7:22 PM
New: The Share of Mothers Who Work Is Shrinking – and Black Mothers Face the Steepest Declines.
nationalpartnership.org/report/share...
nationalpartnership.org/report/share...