Alan Berube
@berubea1.bsky.social
SVP, Policy & Innovation Center (http://thinkpic.org), helping government and community leaders act on smart ideas; Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Metro (www.brookings.edu/metro). Likes: Vibrant cities, women's basketball. Dislikes: fascism, spiders.
Reposted by Alan Berube
Thurs, 2/5 📅 The Economic Roundtable gathers leaders & experts throughout SD and is hosted by PIC, SD Workforce Partnership & University of San Diego’s School of Business. Keynote speaker @denemark.bsky.social will share his expertise in SD region’s economy. Register: bit.ly/2026EconomicRoundtable
January 30, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Thurs, 2/5 📅 The Economic Roundtable gathers leaders & experts throughout SD and is hosted by PIC, SD Workforce Partnership & University of San Diego’s School of Business. Keynote speaker @denemark.bsky.social will share his expertise in SD region’s economy. Register: bit.ly/2026EconomicRoundtable
This is such an important and overlooked consequence of increasingly byzantine eligibility rules for public programs - more taxpayer dollars lining the pockets of monopolistic data system providers. Short of repealing the rules altogether, there are better options open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
The Means-Testing Industrial Complex
The vendors getting rich from putting administrative burdens on the poor
open.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:07 PM
This is such an important and overlooked consequence of increasingly byzantine eligibility rules for public programs - more taxpayer dollars lining the pockets of monopolistic data system providers. Short of repealing the rules altogether, there are better options open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
Great to see @henrygrabar.bsky.social @theatlantic.com, digging into the question of what explains broadly declining crime rates. One answer: ARPA grants to local governments. Federal revenue sharing had lots of unexpected positive impacts. @lohplaces.bsky.social @patricksharkey.bsky.social
America likely just recorded its lowest homicide rate in more than 100 years. How did this happen?
New from me: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
New from me: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
The Great Crime Decline Is Happening All Across the Country
Even cities with understaffed police departments have made record gains.
www.theatlantic.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Great to see @henrygrabar.bsky.social @theatlantic.com, digging into the question of what explains broadly declining crime rates. One answer: ARPA grants to local governments. Federal revenue sharing had lots of unexpected positive impacts. @lohplaces.bsky.social @patricksharkey.bsky.social
Reposted by Alan Berube
This fist person account of a Guardsman in the DC surge rings true. NG volunteers want to help the country + community. He’s frustrated by “counterproductive directives” and our @brookings.edu research confirms: the surge has hurt rather than helped the city.
washingtonian.com/2026/01/21/a...
washingtonian.com/2026/01/21/a...
An Anonymous DC National Guardsman Tells All
“This is not what I signed up to do.”
washingtonian.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:05 AM
This fist person account of a Guardsman in the DC surge rings true. NG volunteers want to help the country + community. He’s frustrated by “counterproductive directives” and our @brookings.edu research confirms: the surge has hurt rather than helped the city.
washingtonian.com/2026/01/21/a...
washingtonian.com/2026/01/21/a...
Reposted by Alan Berube
This 1943 U.S. Army film warned about fascism in America
January 19, 2026 at 3:08 PM
This 1943 U.S. Army film warned about fascism in America
The Make America White Again agenda also happens to make America smaller and poorer.
U.S. net migration turned negative in 2025—a first in at least 50 years. Wendy Edelberg, Stan Veuger, and Tara Watson explores what this means for growth in jobs, spending, and GDP—and what’s ahead for 2026.
Macroeconomic implications of immigration flows in 2025 and 2026: January 2026 update | Brookings
Wendy Edelberg, Stan Veuger, and Tara Watson review immigration flow trends in 2025 and 2026, and analyze their macroeconomic implications.
brook.gs
January 16, 2026 at 3:02 PM
The Make America White Again agenda also happens to make America smaller and poorer.
"Lemon, it's year one."
In my latest @voiceofsandiego.org "D.C. Explained" column, I take a snapshot of the policy, budget, administrative, and economic developments that upended the San Diego region's relationship with Washington, D.C. each month in 2025.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/19/d...
In my latest @voiceofsandiego.org "D.C. Explained" column, I take a snapshot of the policy, budget, administrative, and economic developments that upended the San Diego region's relationship with Washington, D.C. each month in 2025.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/19/d...
DC Explained: An Eventful Year for San Diego’s Relationship with Washington
Alan Berube is senior vice president at the Policy & Innovation Center (PIC), a think tank and social impact incubator headquartered in San Diego. In this new monthly column, DC Explained, Berube […]
voiceofsandiego.org
December 22, 2025 at 5:14 PM
"Lemon, it's year one."
In my latest @voiceofsandiego.org "D.C. Explained" column, I take a snapshot of the policy, budget, administrative, and economic developments that upended the San Diego region's relationship with Washington, D.C. each month in 2025.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/19/d...
In my latest @voiceofsandiego.org "D.C. Explained" column, I take a snapshot of the policy, budget, administrative, and economic developments that upended the San Diego region's relationship with Washington, D.C. each month in 2025.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/19/d...
Government by grievance is so exhausting.
JD Vance: "In the United States of America you don't have to apologize for being white anymore"
December 21, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Government by grievance is so exhausting.
Agree with Paul’s assessment, though for slightly different reason: private interests have extracted and devalued this community’s assets for decades. To lay blame at the feet of government—and programs that address basic needs, no less—is a bit rich (no pun intended).
This is a vivid, well-reported story about poverty in McDowell County, WV, but there's a problem with the framing, and what's left out. The story talks about some of the ways the Trump administration has cut off funds to the place, but...
www.wsj.com/us-news/pove...
www.wsj.com/us-news/pove...
The War on Poverty Failed Them—and They’re No Longer Waiting For Help
McDowell County residents say it’s up to them to forge a brighter future after decades of federal projects haven’t eased their hardship.
www.wsj.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Agree with Paul’s assessment, though for slightly different reason: private interests have extracted and devalued this community’s assets for decades. To lay blame at the feet of government—and programs that address basic needs, no less—is a bit rich (no pun intended).
OMG it makes my brain break
HOLY SHIT -- Fox News's John Roberts pushes Lutnick on the fact that Trump's claims about cutting drug prices by 600% are literally mathematically impossible.
Lutnick says "basically what he's saying, and we all know what he's saying, is we're hammering the price of drugs down."
Lutnick says "basically what he's saying, and we all know what he's saying, is we're hammering the price of drugs down."
December 18, 2025 at 7:58 PM
OMG it makes my brain break
Seriously, WTF are we doing here, America
November 14, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Seriously, WTF are we doing here, America
Reposted by Alan Berube
As a DC resident I feel like I should say:
This is a complete and utter lie.
My kid, under age 12, walked to school last year into an area close to downtown.
Telling the truth is an important thing.
This is a complete and utter lie.
My kid, under age 12, walked to school last year into an area close to downtown.
Telling the truth is an important thing.
Stephen Miller on DC residents: "For the first time in their lives, they can use the parks, they can walk on the streets. You have people who can walk freely at night without having to worry about being robbed or mugged. They are wearing their watches again."
August 25, 2025 at 11:14 PM
As a DC resident I feel like I should say:
This is a complete and utter lie.
My kid, under age 12, walked to school last year into an area close to downtown.
Telling the truth is an important thing.
This is a complete and utter lie.
My kid, under age 12, walked to school last year into an area close to downtown.
Telling the truth is an important thing.
I love my D.C. home, but lack of congressional representation and being constantly subjected to GOP policy experiments is a bug, not a feature. As for today's fascist rhetoric, here's all you need to know. Don't get distracted. jasher.substack.com/p/assessing-...
Assessing DC's Violent Crime Trends
Murder is plunging in DC but what about overall violent crime?
jasher.substack.com
August 11, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I love my D.C. home, but lack of congressional representation and being constantly subjected to GOP policy experiments is a bug, not a feature. As for today's fascist rhetoric, here's all you need to know. Don't get distracted. jasher.substack.com/p/assessing-...
Already lots of well-placed outrage at the dismissal of the BLS Commissioner late last week; just want to add how much I have appreciated and relied on BLS data for the past 25 years to tell the story of regional economies. Hope their vital, non-political work continues. cc: @markmuro1.bsky.social
August 4, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Already lots of well-placed outrage at the dismissal of the BLS Commissioner late last week; just want to add how much I have appreciated and relied on BLS data for the past 25 years to tell the story of regional economies. Hope their vital, non-political work continues. cc: @markmuro1.bsky.social
“America First” immigration policy in action
The Trump administration has barred a team of 15- and 16-year-olds from Venezuela from entering the United States to compete in the Little League Senior League World Series. The team from Maracaibo won the Latin America tournament to qualify for the World Series in South Carolina
wapo.st/4o8DKmS
wapo.st/4o8DKmS
Venezuelan Little League team denied travel visas to U.S. for World Series
The Cacique Mara Little League team from Maracaibo, Venezuela, will not be able to participate in the Senior League Baseball World Series in South Carolina this year.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 26, 2025 at 4:01 PM
“America First” immigration policy in action
This is one nonstop falsehood, start to finish.
Stephen Miller: "We have communities all across this nation that 20 years ago, before the era of open borders, were completely peaceful, completely stable. Look at a place like Minneapolis. Post mass migration they're unsafe, they're violent, you cannot use the public parks."
July 15, 2025 at 11:36 PM
This is one nonstop falsehood, start to finish.
Who are Greater San Diego's immigrants? What role do they play in the region's economy and society? And what do the Trump administration's policy and enforcement changes mean for them, their families, and the wider community? Learn more in my latest Pulse on Policy: thinkpic.org/pic-intel/pu...
Pulse on Policy: Understanding Greater San Diego’s Immigrants at a Challenging Moment | Policy & Innovation Center
Pulse on Policy: Understanding Greater San Diego’s Immigrants at a Challenging Moment
thinkpic.org
May 28, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Who are Greater San Diego's immigrants? What role do they play in the region's economy and society? And what do the Trump administration's policy and enforcement changes mean for them, their families, and the wider community? Learn more in my latest Pulse on Policy: thinkpic.org/pic-intel/pu...
This makes sense once you accept that the point of the regime is to rid the United States of immigrants. www.mississippifreepress.org/ice-arrests-...
ICE Arrests Mississippi Father at His Citizenship Hearing
ICE arrested Kasper Eriksen, a Mississippi father, at his citizenship hearing, imprisoning him and threatening him with deportation.
www.mississippifreepress.org
May 22, 2025 at 12:10 AM
This makes sense once you accept that the point of the regime is to rid the United States of immigrants. www.mississippifreepress.org/ice-arrests-...
A barrage of executive orders, agency shutterings, fundings freezes and recissions, and reimbursements cuts are buffeting nonprofit organizations around the country. In my latest "Pulse on Policy" column I break down what this might mean for San Diego-area nonprofits: thinkpic.org/pic-intel/pu...
Pulse on Policy: Assessing and Addressing Emerging Risks Facing Greater San Diego’s Nonprofits | Policy & Innovation Center
Pulse on Policy: Assessing and Addressing Emerging Risks Facing Greater San Diego’s Nonprofits
thinkpic.org
May 5, 2025 at 5:40 PM
A barrage of executive orders, agency shutterings, fundings freezes and recissions, and reimbursements cuts are buffeting nonprofit organizations around the country. In my latest "Pulse on Policy" column I break down what this might mean for San Diego-area nonprofits: thinkpic.org/pic-intel/pu...
Yes, but three cheers for bringing back “birdbrains.”
Trump’s sputtering response to Harvard standing up to him is yet another reason why institutions should refuse to bend the knee. He’s a paper tiger, unable to argue his own case.
April 17, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Yes, but three cheers for bringing back “birdbrains.”
By far the most memorable of the legendary Val Kilmer’s roles (for me at 13, at least) clip.cafe/real-genius-...
'You didn't touch anything, did you? No. Good. Because all of my filth is arranged in...' - Real Genius
Chris Knight:
You didn't touch anything, did you?
Mitch:
No.
Chris Knight:
Good. Because all of my filth is arranged in alphabetical order. This, for instance, is under 'H' for "toy."
Mitch:
What i...
clip.cafe
April 2, 2025 at 8:38 PM
By far the most memorable of the legendary Val Kilmer’s roles (for me at 13, at least) clip.cafe/real-genius-...
Haven't made a habit (yet) of posting on here, but figure it couldn't hurt to share what I'm working on from time to time.
Today, it's the potential impact of federal spending changes on Greater San Diego, which received $36.5B in grants and contracts in FY24:
thinkpic.org/pic-intel/wh...
Today, it's the potential impact of federal spending changes on Greater San Diego, which received $36.5B in grants and contracts in FY24:
thinkpic.org/pic-intel/wh...
What New Leadership in Washington Could Mean for the San Diego Economy | Policy & Innovation Center
What New Leadership in Washington Could Mean for the San Diego Economy
thinkpic.org
March 24, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Haven't made a habit (yet) of posting on here, but figure it couldn't hurt to share what I'm working on from time to time.
Today, it's the potential impact of federal spending changes on Greater San Diego, which received $36.5B in grants and contracts in FY24:
thinkpic.org/pic-intel/wh...
Today, it's the potential impact of federal spending changes on Greater San Diego, which received $36.5B in grants and contracts in FY24:
thinkpic.org/pic-intel/wh...
Reposted by Alan Berube
The OMB impoundment memo's consequences aren't just about disrupting, in a profound way, *current* funds. It also makes it extremely hard to negotiate *future* spending deals if no one at the table can trust that the executive branch will actually stick to the deal at the execution phase.
January 28, 2025 at 1:51 PM
The OMB impoundment memo's consequences aren't just about disrupting, in a profound way, *current* funds. It also makes it extremely hard to negotiate *future* spending deals if no one at the table can trust that the executive branch will actually stick to the deal at the execution phase.