Ben Glasner
@benglasner.bsky.social
Economist with the Economic Innovation Group. Ex-post-doc with the Center on Poverty & Social Policy (CPSP). Ex-Ex-Grad Student at the Evans School (UW). Tweets on policy and research. All good posts are from my dog.
Links: https://linktr.ee/bglasner
Links: https://linktr.ee/bglasner
Pinned
Who I am, why I do this, and what you’ll get here: clear, honest, usable economics.
Check the linktree for more: linktr.ee/bglasner
Check the linktree for more: linktr.ee/bglasner
Last night we wrote about the geo. and poli. dist. of SNAP reliance. We walked back language to reflect that the admin stated they would resume paying. Yet here we are.
A SNAP shutdown does not punish one side. It punishes families, our neighbors, and local economies.
A SNAP shutdown does not punish one side. It punishes families, our neighbors, and local economies.
November 4, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Last night we wrote about the geo. and poli. dist. of SNAP reliance. We walked back language to reflect that the admin stated they would resume paying. Yet here we are.
A SNAP shutdown does not punish one side. It punishes families, our neighbors, and local economies.
A SNAP shutdown does not punish one side. It punishes families, our neighbors, and local economies.
Among counties that received more than 1% of total income from SNAP, 82% voted for Trump and 18% voted for Harris.
The on-again-off-again, still-looming, lapse in SNAP benefits for 42 million people is not in fact a “largely Democrat” issue.
The on-again-off-again, still-looming, lapse in SNAP benefits for 42 million people is not in fact a “largely Democrat” issue.
Trump Claims SNAP Recipients Are 'Largely’ Democrats
YouTube video by Bloomberg News
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Among counties that received more than 1% of total income from SNAP, 82% voted for Trump and 18% voted for Harris.
The on-again-off-again, still-looming, lapse in SNAP benefits for 42 million people is not in fact a “largely Democrat” issue.
The on-again-off-again, still-looming, lapse in SNAP benefits for 42 million people is not in fact a “largely Democrat” issue.
1 in 5 children receive SNAP. 1 in 2 children receive assistance from at least one nutrition program.
Cannot emphasize enough how important stable access to nutrition is for everyone, and especially for kids.
Cannot emphasize enough how important stable access to nutrition is for everyone, and especially for kids.
November 1, 2025 at 3:10 PM
1 in 5 children receive SNAP. 1 in 2 children receive assistance from at least one nutrition program.
Cannot emphasize enough how important stable access to nutrition is for everyone, and especially for kids.
Cannot emphasize enough how important stable access to nutrition is for everyone, and especially for kids.
SNAP isn’t just about hardship today, it is an investment in all of our futures. Both program participants and those lucky enough to never have to be. Short-run support and long-run gains in health, safety, and economic mobility, especially for the kids who need it most.
October 29, 2025 at 5:42 PM
SNAP isn’t just about hardship today, it is an investment in all of our futures. Both program participants and those lucky enough to never have to be. Short-run support and long-run gains in health, safety, and economic mobility, especially for the kids who need it most.
As always, look for the sourcing info:
SNAP, like many policies that work to reduce material hardship in families, has shown REAL long-run economic benefits and reductions in inter-generational poverty and transfer reliance. Thread:
SNAP, like many policies that work to reduce material hardship in families, has shown REAL long-run economic benefits and reductions in inter-generational poverty and transfer reliance. Thread:
Every $1 invested in SNAP generates $1.80 in economic activity.
It’s not about the money, Trump just wants Americans to go hungry.
It’s not about the money, Trump just wants Americans to go hungry.
October 29, 2025 at 3:20 PM
As always, look for the sourcing info:
SNAP, like many policies that work to reduce material hardship in families, has shown REAL long-run economic benefits and reductions in inter-generational poverty and transfer reliance. Thread:
SNAP, like many policies that work to reduce material hardship in families, has shown REAL long-run economic benefits and reductions in inter-generational poverty and transfer reliance. Thread:
Reposted by Ben Glasner
Even the smartest AI in the world can’t see why the internet loves a chunky bear:
October 28, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Even the smartest AI in the world can’t see why the internet loves a chunky bear:
Even the smartest AI in the world can’t see why the internet loves a chunky bear:
October 28, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Even the smartest AI in the world can’t see why the internet loves a chunky bear:
Who I am, why I do this, and what you’ll get here: clear, honest, usable economics.
Check the linktree for more: linktr.ee/bglasner
Check the linktree for more: linktr.ee/bglasner
October 27, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Who I am, why I do this, and what you’ll get here: clear, honest, usable economics.
Check the linktree for more: linktr.ee/bglasner
Check the linktree for more: linktr.ee/bglasner
Do you know someone looking to get some experience in the think tank/economic and policy research world?
Encourage them to apply!
Encourage them to apply!
🚨We are hiring! 💼
EIG is looking for a paid Research & Policy Intern for the Spring 2026 semester.
Learn more here:
eig.org/wp-content/u...
EIG is looking for a paid Research & Policy Intern for the Spring 2026 semester.
Learn more here:
eig.org/wp-content/u...
eig.org
October 20, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Do you know someone looking to get some experience in the think tank/economic and policy research world?
Encourage them to apply!
Encourage them to apply!
So what is going on with wages? It is all about missed potential!
October 9, 2025 at 8:16 PM
So what is going on with wages? It is all about missed potential!
Reposted by Ben Glasner
I got a PhD so I could ask ChatGPT if a bear is fat.
Like Kasparov vs. Deep Blue, the team at EIG pitted human reasoning against the machine. But our arena wasn’t a chessboard, it was the salmon-filled rivers of Alaska.
I give you: Fat Bear Week and the Fate of the World! 🐻🤖
Like Kasparov vs. Deep Blue, the team at EIG pitted human reasoning against the machine. But our arena wasn’t a chessboard, it was the salmon-filled rivers of Alaska.
I give you: Fat Bear Week and the Fate of the World! 🐻🤖
October 8, 2025 at 12:08 PM
I got a PhD so I could ask ChatGPT if a bear is fat.
Like Kasparov vs. Deep Blue, the team at EIG pitted human reasoning against the machine. But our arena wasn’t a chessboard, it was the salmon-filled rivers of Alaska.
I give you: Fat Bear Week and the Fate of the World! 🐻🤖
Like Kasparov vs. Deep Blue, the team at EIG pitted human reasoning against the machine. But our arena wasn’t a chessboard, it was the salmon-filled rivers of Alaska.
I give you: Fat Bear Week and the Fate of the World! 🐻🤖
I got a PhD so I could ask ChatGPT if a bear is fat.
Like Kasparov vs. Deep Blue, the team at EIG pitted human reasoning against the machine. But our arena wasn’t a chessboard, it was the salmon-filled rivers of Alaska.
I give you: Fat Bear Week and the Fate of the World! 🐻🤖
Like Kasparov vs. Deep Blue, the team at EIG pitted human reasoning against the machine. But our arena wasn’t a chessboard, it was the salmon-filled rivers of Alaska.
I give you: Fat Bear Week and the Fate of the World! 🐻🤖
October 8, 2025 at 12:08 PM
I got a PhD so I could ask ChatGPT if a bear is fat.
Like Kasparov vs. Deep Blue, the team at EIG pitted human reasoning against the machine. But our arena wasn’t a chessboard, it was the salmon-filled rivers of Alaska.
I give you: Fat Bear Week and the Fate of the World! 🐻🤖
Like Kasparov vs. Deep Blue, the team at EIG pitted human reasoning against the machine. But our arena wasn’t a chessboard, it was the salmon-filled rivers of Alaska.
I give you: Fat Bear Week and the Fate of the World! 🐻🤖
We’ve got an extremely fun post coming out early tomorrow morning on Agglomerations.
Subscribe: agglomerations.substack.com
Subscribe: agglomerations.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:05 AM
We’ve got an extremely fun post coming out early tomorrow morning on Agglomerations.
Subscribe: agglomerations.substack.com
Subscribe: agglomerations.substack.com
The Abundance agenda has spotlighted supply-side barriers—housing, energy, tech. But one crucial ingredient remains under-discussed: workers. Without a dynamic, mobile labor force, efforts to build more, innovate faster, and deploy clean energy will run into a human bottleneck🧵
October 3, 2025 at 12:18 PM
The Abundance agenda has spotlighted supply-side barriers—housing, energy, tech. But one crucial ingredient remains under-discussed: workers. Without a dynamic, mobile labor force, efforts to build more, innovate faster, and deploy clean energy will run into a human bottleneck🧵
Yes. Nothing says “Kaldor–Hicks efficiency” like eating away at social surplus with tariffs, then using the nonexistent gains to bail out the people you just hurt.
Link in the next post.
Link in the next post.
September 25, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Yes. Nothing says “Kaldor–Hicks efficiency” like eating away at social surplus with tariffs, then using the nonexistent gains to bail out the people you just hurt.
Link in the next post.
Link in the next post.
Reposted by Ben Glasner
Thanks @benglasner.bsky.social & Adam Ozimek for making a compelling case for well-designed wage subsidies.
"In our version of a wage subsidy, the government sends money directly to low-wage workers in every single paycheck, raising their hourly wage."
#EconSky
"In our version of a wage subsidy, the government sends money directly to low-wage workers in every single paycheck, raising their hourly wage."
#EconSky
The challenge: 21 million workers earn less than $16/hr, two-thirds are women, and in states like WV & LA, 1 in 5 prime-age men don’t have jobs. Too many Americans face low pay or no pay. So, let’s talk about what a wage subsidy can do.
The single best policy to help low-wage American workers
Direct, efficient, life-changing
agglomerations.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Thanks @benglasner.bsky.social & Adam Ozimek for making a compelling case for well-designed wage subsidies.
"In our version of a wage subsidy, the government sends money directly to low-wage workers in every single paycheck, raising their hourly wage."
#EconSky
"In our version of a wage subsidy, the government sends money directly to low-wage workers in every single paycheck, raising their hourly wage."
#EconSky
The challenge: 21 million workers earn less than $16/hr, two-thirds are women, and in states like WV & LA, 1 in 5 prime-age men don’t have jobs. Too many Americans face low pay or no pay. So, let’s talk about what a wage subsidy can do.
The single best policy to help low-wage American workers
Direct, efficient, life-changing
agglomerations.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 12:57 PM
The challenge: 21 million workers earn less than $16/hr, two-thirds are women, and in states like WV & LA, 1 in 5 prime-age men don’t have jobs. Too many Americans face low pay or no pay. So, let’s talk about what a wage subsidy can do.
The Trump Proclamation ignores what Americans actually want.
✅ 71% of Trump voters
✅ 78% of Americans overall
…support more high-skilled immigration.
Why double down on fear and scarcity when we could build a system rooted in growth and opportunity?
✅ 71% of Trump voters
✅ 78% of Americans overall
…support more high-skilled immigration.
Why double down on fear and scarcity when we could build a system rooted in growth and opportunity?
September 20, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The Trump Proclamation ignores what Americans actually want.
✅ 71% of Trump voters
✅ 78% of Americans overall
…support more high-skilled immigration.
Why double down on fear and scarcity when we could build a system rooted in growth and opportunity?
✅ 71% of Trump voters
✅ 78% of Americans overall
…support more high-skilled immigration.
Why double down on fear and scarcity when we could build a system rooted in growth and opportunity?
The Trump admin just “proclaimed” a massive new set of hurdles for H-1B workers to “protect American jobs.” Let’s be clear: this isn’t reform, it’s self-sabotage. High-skilled immigration raises wages, fuels innovation, and strengthens the economy we all share. The data is clear.
September 20, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The Trump admin just “proclaimed” a massive new set of hurdles for H-1B workers to “protect American jobs.” Let’s be clear: this isn’t reform, it’s self-sabotage. High-skilled immigration raises wages, fuels innovation, and strengthens the economy we all share. The data is clear.
It is only de jure political censorship when it originates directly from the seat of power.
Everything else is just sparkling de facto regulation of speech.
Everything else is just sparkling de facto regulation of speech.
September 18, 2025 at 5:17 PM
It is only de jure political censorship when it originates directly from the seat of power.
Everything else is just sparkling de facto regulation of speech.
Everything else is just sparkling de facto regulation of speech.
Reposted by Ben Glasner
Roughly 90 percent of counties that are significantly reliant on government transfer programs — meaning that more than 25 percent of their total income came from transfers — went to Trump in 2024.
What other trends do we find when we scrutinize the data? [1/9] 🧵
What other trends do we find when we scrutinize the data? [1/9] 🧵
September 16, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Roughly 90 percent of counties that are significantly reliant on government transfer programs — meaning that more than 25 percent of their total income came from transfers — went to Trump in 2024.
What other trends do we find when we scrutinize the data? [1/9] 🧵
What other trends do we find when we scrutinize the data? [1/9] 🧵
America’s housing crisis isn’t just about building more — it’s about building in the right places.
Proximity to jobs, transit, and opportunity matters.
#Housing #Innovation #HousingCosts #EconomicInnovationGroup #Economics #Construction #EconSky
Proximity to jobs, transit, and opportunity matters.
#Housing #Innovation #HousingCosts #EconomicInnovationGroup #Economics #Construction #EconSky
September 17, 2025 at 12:05 PM
America’s housing crisis isn’t just about building more — it’s about building in the right places.
Proximity to jobs, transit, and opportunity matters.
#Housing #Innovation #HousingCosts #EconomicInnovationGroup #Economics #Construction #EconSky
Proximity to jobs, transit, and opportunity matters.
#Housing #Innovation #HousingCosts #EconomicInnovationGroup #Economics #Construction #EconSky
Roughly 90 percent of counties that are significantly reliant on government transfer programs — meaning that more than 25 percent of their total income came from transfers — went to Trump in 2024.
What other trends do we find when we scrutinize the data? [1/9] 🧵
What other trends do we find when we scrutinize the data? [1/9] 🧵
September 16, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Roughly 90 percent of counties that are significantly reliant on government transfer programs — meaning that more than 25 percent of their total income came from transfers — went to Trump in 2024.
What other trends do we find when we scrutinize the data? [1/9] 🧵
What other trends do we find when we scrutinize the data? [1/9] 🧵
Reposted by Ben Glasner
From @benglasner.bsky.social: The new Distressed Communities Index from EIG helps us see how Orange County glam sits among nearby distress. Check your ZIP to see how close your neighborhood is to Bravo prosperity.
youtube.com/shorts/N01mU...
youtube.com/shorts/N01mU...
Distressed Communities Index (DCI): Real Housewives Edition
YouTube video by Economic Innovation Group
youtube.com
September 11, 2025 at 5:26 PM
From @benglasner.bsky.social: The new Distressed Communities Index from EIG helps us see how Orange County glam sits among nearby distress. Check your ZIP to see how close your neighborhood is to Bravo prosperity.
youtube.com/shorts/N01mU...
youtube.com/shorts/N01mU...