Heidi Shierholz
@hshierholz.bsky.social
President, @EPI-org. Board member, EPI Action. Former Chief Economist, US Dept of Labor. Bike commuter, backyard beekeeper. Tweets my own. She/her.
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
“I want you to understand what it is like to live in Chicago during this time.”
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
“I want you to understand what it is like to live in Chicago during this time.”
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
When federal data is suppressed EPI's @elisegould.bsky.social turns to state-level information for the latest read on jobs. See the latest →
November 6, 2025 at 10:23 PM
When federal data is suppressed EPI's @elisegould.bsky.social turns to state-level information for the latest read on jobs. See the latest →
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
There's private sector + state-reported data to give us a general idea of the labor market's trajectory ...
But the unemployment rate for Black workers, young people, women, immigrants? There is no replacement for government data.
But the unemployment rate for Black workers, young people, women, immigrants? There is no replacement for government data.
Every month for the last 77 years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated Americans' unemployment rate
This streak dies tomorrow
Govt staff could not survey Americans about whether they're working or looking for work in Oct, the 1st time in 934 months
This blind spot will remain forever
This streak dies tomorrow
Govt staff could not survey Americans about whether they're working or looking for work in Oct, the 1st time in 934 months
This blind spot will remain forever
Here's the planned BLS data release schedule for Nov 2025.
On Tues, it couldn't release Sept job openings, hires, layoffs and firings data.
This morning, it couldn't release 2025Q3 business Productivity and Costs data.
Tomorrow, it can't release Oct 2025 #JobsReport
www.bls.gov/schedule/202...
On Tues, it couldn't release Sept job openings, hires, layoffs and firings data.
This morning, it couldn't release 2025Q3 business Productivity and Costs data.
Tomorrow, it can't release Oct 2025 #JobsReport
www.bls.gov/schedule/202...
November 7, 2025 at 2:59 AM
There's private sector + state-reported data to give us a general idea of the labor market's trajectory ...
But the unemployment rate for Black workers, young people, women, immigrants? There is no replacement for government data.
But the unemployment rate for Black workers, young people, women, immigrants? There is no replacement for government data.
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
SNAP has existed for 60 years. Benefits have gone out every single month over those six decades, including during government shutdowns. Until now.
Make no mistake: The money is available to fund SNAP during this shutdown. Trump is making a choice to withhold it.
Don’t forget this.
Make no mistake: The money is available to fund SNAP during this shutdown. Trump is making a choice to withhold it.
Don’t forget this.
November 6, 2025 at 9:15 PM
SNAP has existed for 60 years. Benefits have gone out every single month over those six decades, including during government shutdowns. Until now.
Make no mistake: The money is available to fund SNAP during this shutdown. Trump is making a choice to withhold it.
Don’t forget this.
Make no mistake: The money is available to fund SNAP during this shutdown. Trump is making a choice to withhold it.
Don’t forget this.
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
Disturbing @merylkornfield.bsky.social @washingtonpostt.bsky.social story about U.S. DOL's all-White social media campaigns. My quote: "By purveying this image of an all-White workforce, they are choosing racism over economic growth. . . ." Read: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202... (paywall).
Labor Department social media campaign depicts a White male workforce
The campaign has drawn scrutiny, with critics saying it is not realistically portraying the country’s diversity and is sending messages that feel exclusionary.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Disturbing @merylkornfield.bsky.social @washingtonpostt.bsky.social story about U.S. DOL's all-White social media campaigns. My quote: "By purveying this image of an all-White workforce, they are choosing racism over economic growth. . . ." Read: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202... (paywall).
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
It's a sad #JobsDay
At 8:30 am ET, BLS was scheduled to deliver one of the most-important signals abt how economy is changing.
Prior government shutdowns never prevented a month's household data collection. This one has.
#EconSky #NumbersDay #JobsDay
At 8:30 am ET, BLS was scheduled to deliver one of the most-important signals abt how economy is changing.
Prior government shutdowns never prevented a month's household data collection. This one has.
#EconSky #NumbersDay #JobsDay
Every month for the last 77 years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated Americans' unemployment rate
This streak dies tomorrow
Govt staff could not survey Americans about whether they're working or looking for work in Oct, the 1st time in 934 months
This blind spot will remain forever
This streak dies tomorrow
Govt staff could not survey Americans about whether they're working or looking for work in Oct, the 1st time in 934 months
This blind spot will remain forever
Here's the planned BLS data release schedule for Nov 2025.
On Tues, it couldn't release Sept job openings, hires, layoffs and firings data.
This morning, it couldn't release 2025Q3 business Productivity and Costs data.
Tomorrow, it can't release Oct 2025 #JobsReport
www.bls.gov/schedule/202...
On Tues, it couldn't release Sept job openings, hires, layoffs and firings data.
This morning, it couldn't release 2025Q3 business Productivity and Costs data.
Tomorrow, it can't release Oct 2025 #JobsReport
www.bls.gov/schedule/202...
November 7, 2025 at 1:25 PM
It's a sad #JobsDay
At 8:30 am ET, BLS was scheduled to deliver one of the most-important signals abt how economy is changing.
Prior government shutdowns never prevented a month's household data collection. This one has.
#EconSky #NumbersDay #JobsDay
At 8:30 am ET, BLS was scheduled to deliver one of the most-important signals abt how economy is changing.
Prior government shutdowns never prevented a month's household data collection. This one has.
#EconSky #NumbersDay #JobsDay
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
Tomorrow marks the first time the federal government has failed to release a jobs report two months in a row. Without these data, unemployment insurance claims provide the most up-to-date read on the labor market. As the shutdown drags on, continued UI claims by federal workers hits 30k.
#EconSky
#EconSky
November 6, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Tomorrow marks the first time the federal government has failed to release a jobs report two months in a row. Without these data, unemployment insurance claims provide the most up-to-date read on the labor market. As the shutdown drags on, continued UI claims by federal workers hits 30k.
#EconSky
#EconSky
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
🧵
🧵
November 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
Every month for the last 77 years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated Americans' unemployment rate
This streak dies tomorrow
Govt staff could not survey Americans about whether they're working or looking for work in Oct, the 1st time in 934 months
This blind spot will remain forever
This streak dies tomorrow
Govt staff could not survey Americans about whether they're working or looking for work in Oct, the 1st time in 934 months
This blind spot will remain forever
Here's the planned BLS data release schedule for Nov 2025.
On Tues, it couldn't release Sept job openings, hires, layoffs and firings data.
This morning, it couldn't release 2025Q3 business Productivity and Costs data.
Tomorrow, it can't release Oct 2025 #JobsReport
www.bls.gov/schedule/202...
On Tues, it couldn't release Sept job openings, hires, layoffs and firings data.
This morning, it couldn't release 2025Q3 business Productivity and Costs data.
Tomorrow, it can't release Oct 2025 #JobsReport
www.bls.gov/schedule/202...
November 6, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Every month for the last 77 years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated Americans' unemployment rate
This streak dies tomorrow
Govt staff could not survey Americans about whether they're working or looking for work in Oct, the 1st time in 934 months
This blind spot will remain forever
This streak dies tomorrow
Govt staff could not survey Americans about whether they're working or looking for work in Oct, the 1st time in 934 months
This blind spot will remain forever
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
previous increases in immigration enforcement caused child care centers to simply shut down
November 5, 2025 at 4:09 PM
previous increases in immigration enforcement caused child care centers to simply shut down
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
Republicans are currently starving millions of people in order to force Democrats to cooperate in cutting health care for millions of people.
We've gotten so inured to this shit. It's just monstrous, horrific behavior.
We've gotten so inured to this shit. It's just monstrous, horrific behavior.
November 4, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Republicans are currently starving millions of people in order to force Democrats to cooperate in cutting health care for millions of people.
We've gotten so inured to this shit. It's just monstrous, horrific behavior.
We've gotten so inured to this shit. It's just monstrous, horrific behavior.
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
How does employer access to prisoners’ labor through work release impact the well-being of those workers & of free workers?
New working paper by Sue Helper, Suresh Naidu, Akseli Palomaki, Adam Reich, + me provides evidence, focus on auto manufacturing in AL
#EconSky
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
New working paper by Sue Helper, Suresh Naidu, Akseli Palomaki, Adam Reich, + me provides evidence, focus on auto manufacturing in AL
#EconSky
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
November 3, 2025 at 2:20 PM
How does employer access to prisoners’ labor through work release impact the well-being of those workers & of free workers?
New working paper by Sue Helper, Suresh Naidu, Akseli Palomaki, Adam Reich, + me provides evidence, focus on auto manufacturing in AL
#EconSky
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
New working paper by Sue Helper, Suresh Naidu, Akseli Palomaki, Adam Reich, + me provides evidence, focus on auto manufacturing in AL
#EconSky
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
Thanks to the shutdown, we didn't get the first estimate of Q3 GDP today. And private-sector data offer no good substitute for official GDP.
The shutdown offers lots of lessons about what private sector data can and can't do.
New at @piie.com : www.piie.com/blogs/realti...
The shutdown offers lots of lessons about what private sector data can and can't do.
New at @piie.com : www.piie.com/blogs/realti...
What the government shutdown teaches us about private sector data
The government shutdown provides an unexpected test case for an increasingly urgent question: What would happen if official economic statistics became less useful, whether through declining resources,...
www.piie.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Thanks to the shutdown, we didn't get the first estimate of Q3 GDP today. And private-sector data offer no good substitute for official GDP.
The shutdown offers lots of lessons about what private sector data can and can't do.
New at @piie.com : www.piie.com/blogs/realti...
The shutdown offers lots of lessons about what private sector data can and can't do.
New at @piie.com : www.piie.com/blogs/realti...
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
A very nice rundown of what private data sources can and cannot tell you about the state of the economy right now.
Thanks to the shutdown, we didn't get the first estimate of Q3 GDP today. And private-sector data offer no good substitute for official GDP.
The shutdown offers lots of lessons about what private sector data can and can't do.
New at @piie.com : www.piie.com/blogs/realti...
The shutdown offers lots of lessons about what private sector data can and can't do.
New at @piie.com : www.piie.com/blogs/realti...
What the government shutdown teaches us about private sector data
The government shutdown provides an unexpected test case for an increasingly urgent question: What would happen if official economic statistics became less useful, whether through declining resources,...
www.piie.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:11 PM
A very nice rundown of what private data sources can and cannot tell you about the state of the economy right now.
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
Blaming baby boomers for the problems of younger generations is popular in elite media, but it is not serious analysis. The problem is the rich and the generational stuff is a distraction deanbaker22.substack.com/p/my-generat...
My Generation: Blame the Rich, not the Boomers
Blaming a generational grouping is a coverup, not serious reporting
deanbaker22.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Blaming baby boomers for the problems of younger generations is popular in elite media, but it is not serious analysis. The problem is the rich and the generational stuff is a distraction deanbaker22.substack.com/p/my-generat...
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
Nothing replaces the comprehensive, trustworthy, and timely labor market data found in monthly jobs and JOLTS reports, but unemployment insurance claims—collected at the state level—offer a useful read on one key angle of the labor market.
#EconSky #NumbersDay
www.epi.org/blog/amid-th...
#EconSky #NumbersDay
www.epi.org/blog/amid-th...
Amid the shutdown data blackout, state unemployment insurance claims continue to shed light on the labor market
On Friday, October 3, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) did not publish the September Employment Situation Summary report. The monthly “jobs report” provides policymakers, businesses, and the ...
www.epi.org
October 15, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Nothing replaces the comprehensive, trustworthy, and timely labor market data found in monthly jobs and JOLTS reports, but unemployment insurance claims—collected at the state level—offer a useful read on one key angle of the labor market.
#EconSky #NumbersDay
www.epi.org/blog/amid-th...
#EconSky #NumbersDay
www.epi.org/blog/amid-th...
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system.
I am not fearful — I am fearless.
We will fight these baseless charges aggressively, and my office will continue to fiercely protect New Yorkers and their rights..
I am not fearful — I am fearless.
We will fight these baseless charges aggressively, and my office will continue to fiercely protect New Yorkers and their rights..
October 9, 2025 at 9:36 PM
This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system.
I am not fearful — I am fearless.
We will fight these baseless charges aggressively, and my office will continue to fiercely protect New Yorkers and their rights..
I am not fearful — I am fearless.
We will fight these baseless charges aggressively, and my office will continue to fiercely protect New Yorkers and their rights..
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
The Trump administration is creating even more pain and chaos during this government shutdown by moving to illegally fire federal workers.
We’ll see you in court. aflcio.org/press/releas...
We’ll see you in court. aflcio.org/press/releas...
October 10, 2025 at 9:49 PM
The Trump administration is creating even more pain and chaos during this government shutdown by moving to illegally fire federal workers.
We’ll see you in court. aflcio.org/press/releas...
We’ll see you in court. aflcio.org/press/releas...
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
The real value of the Bureau of Labor Statistics's budget has fallen for over a decade.
The president is proposing deep cuts alongside other attacks on the agency.
Progress requires Congress to re-establish BLS independence & support innovation & funding.
www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...
The president is proposing deep cuts alongside other attacks on the agency.
Progress requires Congress to re-establish BLS independence & support innovation & funding.
www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...
October 7, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The real value of the Bureau of Labor Statistics's budget has fallen for over a decade.
The president is proposing deep cuts alongside other attacks on the agency.
Progress requires Congress to re-establish BLS independence & support innovation & funding.
www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...
The president is proposing deep cuts alongside other attacks on the agency.
Progress requires Congress to re-establish BLS independence & support innovation & funding.
www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
Thank you to the career federal employees, who show up to work every day and improve people's lives across the country.
October 1, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Thank you to the career federal employees, who show up to work every day and improve people's lives across the country.
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
New WP: We study how minimum wage increases affect poverty and food hardship in the U.S from 1981-2019. Different from recent work, we study the Supplemental Poverty Measure + two measures of food hardship, factor in cost-of-living differences, and more. www.iza.org/publications...
September 29, 2025 at 12:34 PM
New WP: We study how minimum wage increases affect poverty and food hardship in the U.S from 1981-2019. Different from recent work, we study the Supplemental Poverty Measure + two measures of food hardship, factor in cost-of-living differences, and more. www.iza.org/publications...
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
Critical part of the President's new $100,000 charge for H1-B visas: The Administration can also offer a $100,000 discount to any person, company, or industry that it wants. Replacing rules with arbitrary discretion.
Want visas? You know who to call and who to flatter.
Want visas? You know who to call and who to flatter.
September 20, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Critical part of the President's new $100,000 charge for H1-B visas: The Administration can also offer a $100,000 discount to any person, company, or industry that it wants. Replacing rules with arbitrary discretion.
Want visas? You know who to call and who to flatter.
Want visas? You know who to call and who to flatter.
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
Reposted by Heidi Shierholz
#BLS has delayed the 2024 Consumer Expenditures Survey annual release. This is likely due to the severe understaffing in the agency.
Staff losses and hiring freeze are taking their toll.
www.bls.gov/cex/notices/...
#econsky
Staff losses and hiring freeze are taking their toll.
www.bls.gov/cex/notices/...
#econsky
Consumer Expenditures 2024 Data Release to be Rescheduled
Consumer Expenditures 2024 Data Release to be Rescheduled (9/19/2025)
www.bls.gov
September 19, 2025 at 10:17 PM
#BLS has delayed the 2024 Consumer Expenditures Survey annual release. This is likely due to the severe understaffing in the agency.
Staff losses and hiring freeze are taking their toll.
www.bls.gov/cex/notices/...
#econsky
Staff losses and hiring freeze are taking their toll.
www.bls.gov/cex/notices/...
#econsky