Debbie Berkowitz
@debbieberkowitz.bsky.social
Worker safety policy expert. Former OSHA COS and Senior Policy Advisor 2009-2015. Fellow at Georgetown’s Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Sunday overnight is the new top of the news-cycle, with the 1st circuit refusing Trump the stay he thought from having to make SNAP payments & now, Justice Jackson ordering briefs in SCOTUS. Get up to speed on what it all means here: joycevance.substack.com/p/the-week-a...
The Week Ahead
November 9, 2025
joycevance.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Sunday overnight is the new top of the news-cycle, with the 1st circuit refusing Trump the stay he thought from having to make SNAP payments & now, Justice Jackson ordering briefs in SCOTUS. Get up to speed on what it all means here: joycevance.substack.com/p/the-week-a...
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
The newsletter is out! A look at the history of TV election-coverage colors, a new record set by the president and a look at how great prediction markets are at prediction (not great)!
Free to read, as always.
www.howtoreadthisch.art/r/682c3344?m...
Free to read, as always.
www.howtoreadthisch.art/r/682c3344?m...
Red versus blue. Versus yellow. Versus gray.
Chapter 1
It's (almost) all about TV
There was an election this week, I assume you heard, one in which the people who were unhappy last year became happy and vice versa. If you're one of the current ...
www.howtoreadthisch.art
November 8, 2025 at 3:05 PM
The newsletter is out! A look at the history of TV election-coverage colors, a new record set by the president and a look at how great prediction markets are at prediction (not great)!
Free to read, as always.
www.howtoreadthisch.art/r/682c3344?m...
Free to read, as always.
www.howtoreadthisch.art/r/682c3344?m...
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
My latest: How the Trump Administration is giving even more tax breaks to wealthy and giant corporations: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/b...
How the Trump Administration Is Giving Even More Tax Breaks to the Wealthy
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:52 PM
My latest: How the Trump Administration is giving even more tax breaks to wealthy and giant corporations: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/b...
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Seasonal retail jobs are set to drop to lowest level in 15 years.
Seasonal retail jobs are set to drop to lowest level in 15 years
Workers looking to pick up extra cash working retail jobs this winter may be out of luck as stores pull back on hiring.
cbsn.ws
November 8, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Seasonal retail jobs are set to drop to lowest level in 15 years.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Today on the Senate floor:
Democrats made an offer to Republicans to re-open the government and extend the ACA tax credits for one year.
We’re calling their bluff.
The ball is in their court.
Democrats made an offer to Republicans to re-open the government and extend the ACA tax credits for one year.
We’re calling their bluff.
The ball is in their court.
November 8, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Today on the Senate floor:
Democrats made an offer to Republicans to re-open the government and extend the ACA tax credits for one year.
We’re calling their bluff.
The ball is in their court.
Democrats made an offer to Republicans to re-open the government and extend the ACA tax credits for one year.
We’re calling their bluff.
The ball is in their court.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Thune and Senate Republicans will be 100% responsible for both the shutdown and soaring health insurance costs if they refuse Schumer's very reasonable compromise offer.
A reminder that Trump, Thune, and Johnson can end the shutdown in a heartbeat by letting both chambers vote on a CR that includes a one-year extension of the ACA tax credits. It would pass both the Senate and the House with large bipartisan majorities.
November 7, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Thune and Senate Republicans will be 100% responsible for both the shutdown and soaring health insurance costs if they refuse Schumer's very reasonable compromise offer.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Every single county in Virginia shifted Blue.
November 5, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Every single county in Virginia shifted Blue.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
PPP polled 816 Virginia voters on Sunday to assess the impact of the government shutdown on the election for governor. Every indicator is that the shutdown is creating a backlash against Trump and Republicans and has increased support for Abigail Spanberger.
Here are the key findings:
Here are the key findings:
November 4, 2025 at 3:20 PM
PPP polled 816 Virginia voters on Sunday to assess the impact of the government shutdown on the election for governor. Every indicator is that the shutdown is creating a backlash against Trump and Republicans and has increased support for Abigail Spanberger.
Here are the key findings:
Here are the key findings:
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
In addition to the top line finding in the new Fox News poll that Mikie Sherrill now leads Jack Ciattarelli by 52% to 45% among likely voters in New Jersey, here are a few other key results to note:
October 31, 2025 at 6:04 PM
In addition to the top line finding in the new Fox News poll that Mikie Sherrill now leads Jack Ciattarelli by 52% to 45% among likely voters in New Jersey, here are a few other key results to note:
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
James Benton, Director of the Race and Economic Empowerment Project here at KI, defends Job Corps Centers as a life-changing program for young people: "[Job Corps is] something that is crucial for the economy to perform, and for people to have meaningful work."
Read more here: bit.ly/47wwuK1
Read more here: bit.ly/47wwuK1
Student clings to Job Corps as Trump administration attempts to shutter program
Skarllet Brisco, a Job Corps student in Milwaukee, is pursuing a medical administrative assistant certification.
spectrumnews1.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:42 PM
James Benton, Director of the Race and Economic Empowerment Project here at KI, defends Job Corps Centers as a life-changing program for young people: "[Job Corps is] something that is crucial for the economy to perform, and for people to have meaningful work."
Read more here: bit.ly/47wwuK1
Read more here: bit.ly/47wwuK1
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Workers' Compensation Fraud is a significant problem. Employers often discourage injured workers from filing compensation claims, so the worker gets no compensation if their condition worsens or recurs. And the taxpayer often covers the medical costs, subsidizing the high-hazard low-road employer.
AG Tish James Secures Settlement for Hundreds Denied Workers Comp
Alba Services Inc. cut insurance costs by telling workers to lie to doctors about job injuries, the attorney general’s probe concluded — and offered cash rewards to turn in workers who did try to file...
www.thecity.nyc
October 25, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Workers' Compensation Fraud is a significant problem. Employers often discourage injured workers from filing compensation claims, so the worker gets no compensation if their condition worsens or recurs. And the taxpayer often covers the medical costs, subsidizing the high-hazard low-road employer.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
A fired Justice Department lawyer is blowing the whistle on what he describes as abuses of power at the DOJ.
Fired Justice Department lawyer blows the whistle on what he describes as abuses of power at the DOJ
Former Justice Department lawyer Erez Reuveni is speaking out about a pattern of troubling behavior he says he witnessed inside the DOJ that undermined the rule of law.
cbsn.ws
October 20, 2025 at 2:29 AM
A fired Justice Department lawyer is blowing the whistle on what he describes as abuses of power at the DOJ.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Way to go, all of us. 💙
There are more of us than there are of them. Thank you for a truly historic day of peaceful protests across America. #NoKings
October 19, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Way to go, all of us. 💙
#NoKings Hershey PA! Lots of support from all that drove by for the hundreds of patriots standing up for America and justice and democracy and science and health care and more …
October 19, 2025 at 1:48 AM
#NoKings Hershey PA! Lots of support from all that drove by for the hundreds of patriots standing up for America and justice and democracy and science and health care and more …
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Appalachian coal workers suffer from black lung, an incurable respiratory disease killing its victims slowly & painfully.
@kimkelly.bsky.social reports on how the Trump administration is delaying a life-saving safety rule, while claiming to stand with miners.
@kimkelly.bsky.social reports on how the Trump administration is delaying a life-saving safety rule, while claiming to stand with miners.
Trump to Coal Miners: Drop Dead
The administration keeps delaying a life-saving safety rule—while claiming to love coal miners.
inthesetimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Appalachian coal workers suffer from black lung, an incurable respiratory disease killing its victims slowly & painfully.
@kimkelly.bsky.social reports on how the Trump administration is delaying a life-saving safety rule, while claiming to stand with miners.
@kimkelly.bsky.social reports on how the Trump administration is delaying a life-saving safety rule, while claiming to stand with miners.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Trump got a Covid vaccine today.
October 11, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Trump got a Covid vaccine today.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
NEW: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s close ally has raised ethical concerns by leading legal efforts on vaccines, fluoride and Tylenol.
His vaccine efforts are largely funded by a nonprofit led by a man who said in July that polio "is like having a cold."
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/h...
His vaccine efforts are largely funded by a nonprofit led by a man who said in July that polio "is like having a cold."
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/h...
Kennedy’s Ties to Ally Leading Vaccine Lawsuits Raise Ethical Concerns
www.nytimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:18 PM
NEW: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s close ally has raised ethical concerns by leading legal efforts on vaccines, fluoride and Tylenol.
His vaccine efforts are largely funded by a nonprofit led by a man who said in July that polio "is like having a cold."
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/h...
His vaccine efforts are largely funded by a nonprofit led by a man who said in July that polio "is like having a cold."
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/h...
“Legal ethics experts said Mr Siri’s efforts were troubling because of potential effect on public policy in ways that might benefit his clients.” Just thinking:seems part of the pattern- change rules to win lawsuits, make us all much less healthy in the process,to enrich those changing the rules.
NEW: The same day Pres. Trump announced a link b/t Tylenol & autism, Aaron Siri, Kennedy's former campaign lawyer, petitioned the FDA to add a warning.
He told me that he did not know if his office, which sought clients, had any against makers of Tylenol.
Gift: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/h...
He told me that he did not know if his office, which sought clients, had any against makers of Tylenol.
Gift: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/h...
Kennedy’s Ties to Ally Leading Vaccine Lawsuits Raise Ethical Concerns
www.nytimes.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:19 PM
“Legal ethics experts said Mr Siri’s efforts were troubling because of potential effect on public policy in ways that might benefit his clients.” Just thinking:seems part of the pattern- change rules to win lawsuits, make us all much less healthy in the process,to enrich those changing the rules.
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
One consideration for discussions of gun violence in Chicago. www.pbump.net/o/the-red-st...
October 7, 2025 at 4:46 PM
One consideration for discussions of gun violence in Chicago. www.pbump.net/o/the-red-st...
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
A Dem legislator raised a good point in a CNN interview today: if you want to combat gun violence in Chicago, why not look at where the guns are coming from? www.pbump.net/o/the-red-st...
The red-state invasion that worsened Chicago gun violence
President Trump's eager deployment of federal and federalized troops is ostensibly rooted in fighting crime. Maybe he actually believes that; he did apparently see some footage from 2020 on the TV and...
www.pbump.net
October 7, 2025 at 4:39 PM
A Dem legislator raised a good point in a CNN interview today: if you want to combat gun violence in Chicago, why not look at where the guns are coming from? www.pbump.net/o/the-red-st...
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
btw, here's my short story on how the mainstream media lied about the economy to push the "people are hurting" story cepr.net/publications...
My Six Favorite Untruths About the Biden-Harris Economy
cepr.net
October 6, 2025 at 12:53 PM
btw, here's my short story on how the mainstream media lied about the economy to push the "people are hurting" story cepr.net/publications...
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
CNBC: "Very disappointing. It's a weak number. This is private sector jobs for September. The total comes in -32,000. And that was a surprise because economists were looking for an increase of 51,000. Also, the revision was not good. August now showing -3,000 compared to the initial read of 54,000"
October 1, 2025 at 2:10 PM
CNBC: "Very disappointing. It's a weak number. This is private sector jobs for September. The total comes in -32,000. And that was a surprise because economists were looking for an increase of 51,000. Also, the revision was not good. August now showing -3,000 compared to the initial read of 54,000"
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
Shocker: inadequately funding DOL while child labor violations spiked made it harder for DOL to stamp out child labor.
DOL Child Labor Work Strained as Violations Rose, Report Says news.bloomberglaw.com/employee-ben...
DOL Child Labor Work Strained as Violations Rose, Report Says news.bloomberglaw.com/employee-ben...
DOL Child Labor Work Strained as Violations Rose, Report Says
Federal enforcement of child labor laws faced a shortage of resources as violations spiked nationwide in 2023, the Labor Department’s internal auditor said in a new report.
news.bloomberglaw.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Shocker: inadequately funding DOL while child labor violations spiked made it harder for DOL to stamp out child labor.
DOL Child Labor Work Strained as Violations Rose, Report Says news.bloomberglaw.com/employee-ben...
DOL Child Labor Work Strained as Violations Rose, Report Says news.bloomberglaw.com/employee-ben...
Reposted by Debbie Berkowitz
This, plus Trump will be blamed both for a shutdown and raising the cost of healthcare
"Dems will get blamed for a shutdown" as opposed to what, all the friendly coverage and positive credit they'd get for caving yet again? This whole premise is built on a delusion about what the alternative is. There's no cowering in the corner and being so inoffensive they won't still attack you.
September 30, 2025 at 12:09 PM
This, plus Trump will be blamed both for a shutdown and raising the cost of healthcare