Lena Bilik
@lbilik.bsky.social
🌱 Program manager @ Roosevelt Institute / Roosevelt Forward
🌱 Care economy, worker power
*opinions my own*
🌱 Care economy, worker power
*opinions my own*
Fantastic piece from @annielowrey.bsky.social that gets at the many real challenges that arise from actually implementing a universal childcare system - but not letting that stop us from trying. A 🧵: (1)
November 6, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Fantastic piece from @annielowrey.bsky.social that gets at the many real challenges that arise from actually implementing a universal childcare system - but not letting that stop us from trying. A 🧵: (1)
Reposted by Lena Bilik
This video is devastating. Imagine dropping your child off at daycare, only to learn that ICE took a beloved caregiver in front of the children minutes after. Imagine going to work to care for beloved children, only to be ripped away from them and your own family by ICE.
Federal agents pulling a woman out of Rayito Del Sol, a daycare by Lane Tech high school
November 5, 2025 at 5:52 PM
This video is devastating. Imagine dropping your child off at daycare, only to learn that ICE took a beloved caregiver in front of the children minutes after. Imagine going to work to care for beloved children, only to be ripped away from them and your own family by ICE.
Reposted by Lena Bilik
ah, perhaps instead of pumping millions into endless factional infighting Dem donors could invest in making local Dem organizations genuine civic spaces that can reach people during and between elections
November 5, 2025 at 12:49 PM
ah, perhaps instead of pumping millions into endless factional infighting Dem donors could invest in making local Dem organizations genuine civic spaces that can reach people during and between elections
Head Start closures will have far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. Because the million kids who rely on the program don't have other options. And so, we're likely to see:
⬇️maternal employment
⬆️child poverty, hunger, and homelessness
⬇️school readiness and achievement long-term
⬇️maternal employment
⬆️child poverty, hunger, and homelessness
⬇️school readiness and achievement long-term
November 4, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Reposted by Lena Bilik
Excited that my new book review came out at the same time as Corrine Low's essay on what the medical professions can teach us about how to organize jobs to be family friendly. There's a lot to be learned by looking at how women organize work when they have numbers.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/o...
November 3, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Excited that my new book review came out at the same time as Corrine Low's essay on what the medical professions can teach us about how to organize jobs to be family friendly. There's a lot to be learned by looking at how women organize work when they have numbers.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/o...
Today, New Mexico launched its universal childcare initiative. Last month I wrote about it for Roosevelt Institute -- historic state endeavors like this should show lawmakers at all levels of government that Americans are sick and tired of waiting for bold action on childcare. shorturl.at/Sm2tZ
November 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Today, New Mexico launched its universal childcare initiative. Last month I wrote about it for Roosevelt Institute -- historic state endeavors like this should show lawmakers at all levels of government that Americans are sick and tired of waiting for bold action on childcare. shorturl.at/Sm2tZ
Reposted by Lena Bilik
Our vision for the #GoodLife includes ensuring disabled Americans and their experiences are an integral part of economic policy.
Our partnership to co-launch the Disability Economic Policy Research Consortium is a part of this commitment. Learn more 👇
https://bit.ly/4q0NDDZ
Our partnership to co-launch the Disability Economic Policy Research Consortium is a part of this commitment. Learn more 👇
https://bit.ly/4q0NDDZ
October 7, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Our vision for the #GoodLife includes ensuring disabled Americans and their experiences are an integral part of economic policy.
Our partnership to co-launch the Disability Economic Policy Research Consortium is a part of this commitment. Learn more 👇
https://bit.ly/4q0NDDZ
Our partnership to co-launch the Disability Economic Policy Research Consortium is a part of this commitment. Learn more 👇
https://bit.ly/4q0NDDZ
Reposted by Lena Bilik
When a few corporations can decide what news or voices reach the public, democracy shrinks. This isn’t just about competition; it’s about who sets the terms of public debate. People or authoritarians? We need stronger rules, restored ownership limits, and a renewed commitment to the people’s voice.
September 18, 2025 at 8:34 PM
When a few corporations can decide what news or voices reach the public, democracy shrinks. This isn’t just about competition; it’s about who sets the terms of public debate. People or authoritarians? We need stronger rules, restored ownership limits, and a renewed commitment to the people’s voice.
Reposted by Lena Bilik
Yesterday, a late-night show vanished with a simple directive from 2 of the largest media companies you’ve never heard of (Nexstar & Sinclair), backed by the FCC. That’s not “the market at work.” It’s concentrated corporate power cooperating with an authoritarian. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/b...
ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Off Air for Charlie Kirk Comments After F.C.C. Pressure
www.nytimes.com
September 18, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Yesterday, a late-night show vanished with a simple directive from 2 of the largest media companies you’ve never heard of (Nexstar & Sinclair), backed by the FCC. That’s not “the market at work.” It’s concentrated corporate power cooperating with an authoritarian. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/b...
Reposted by Lena Bilik
New Mexico is making history: the first state to guarantee no-cost universal childcare.
💡 A bold step toward affordability that shows what’s possible when leaders prioritize families.
@lbilik.bsky.social on why federal lawmakers should take note. rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/new-mex...
💡 A bold step toward affordability that shows what’s possible when leaders prioritize families.
@lbilik.bsky.social on why federal lawmakers should take note. rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/new-mex...
New Mexico Offers Free Childcare for All. The Federal Government Should Follow Suit. - Roosevelt Institute
Last week, New Mexico announced that it will become the first state in the nation to provide no-cost universal childcare for all its residents. This comes as welcome news in a country in the throes of...
rooseveltinstitute.org
September 18, 2025 at 5:43 PM
New Mexico is making history: the first state to guarantee no-cost universal childcare.
💡 A bold step toward affordability that shows what’s possible when leaders prioritize families.
@lbilik.bsky.social on why federal lawmakers should take note. rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/new-mex...
💡 A bold step toward affordability that shows what’s possible when leaders prioritize families.
@lbilik.bsky.social on why federal lawmakers should take note. rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/new-mex...
Spoke to @usatoday.com about New Mexico's recent move that shows that government CAN actually deliver what families want and need: in this case, universal free childcare. shorturl.at/8KAa9
New Mexico is first state to offer free universal child care. Will others follow suit?
Universal child care is coming to New Mexico in November, marking the first state in America to guarantee free child care to every parent.
shorturl.at
September 17, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Spoke to @usatoday.com about New Mexico's recent move that shows that government CAN actually deliver what families want and need: in this case, universal free childcare. shorturl.at/8KAa9
Reposted by Lena Bilik
New Mexico's economy is a fraction of the size of New York City's.
If they can enact universal childcare — and relieve working families of a crushing cost burden — surely we can too.
It's just a question of political will.
If they can enact universal childcare — and relieve working families of a crushing cost burden — surely we can too.
It's just a question of political will.
New Mexico will be the first state to make child care free
The program, which is expected to save families $12,000 per child annually, is available to all residents regardless of income.
19thnews.org
September 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
New Mexico's economy is a fraction of the size of New York City's.
If they can enact universal childcare — and relieve working families of a crushing cost burden — surely we can too.
It's just a question of political will.
If they can enact universal childcare — and relieve working families of a crushing cost burden — surely we can too.
It's just a question of political will.
Exciting news from New Mexico, proving that states continue to innovate in the face of the federal government's decades of inaction on childcare. Don't let anyone tell you there isn't nationwide demand for childcare as a public good. shorturl.at/tTENi
September 9, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Exciting news from New Mexico, proving that states continue to innovate in the face of the federal government's decades of inaction on childcare. Don't let anyone tell you there isn't nationwide demand for childcare as a public good. shorturl.at/tTENi
Reposted by Lena Bilik
This people-centered approach is the foundation for a new economic vision: one that reins in corporate power, strengthens worker agency, and secures economic dignity for all. It’s how we build trust, defeat authoritarianism, and deliver the #GoodLife Americans deserve.
September 3, 2025 at 2:08 PM
This people-centered approach is the foundation for a new economic vision: one that reins in corporate power, strengthens worker agency, and secures economic dignity for all. It’s how we build trust, defeat authoritarianism, and deliver the #GoodLife Americans deserve.
Working people still have faith in the labor movement because working people ARE the labor movement. Most recent data shows that HALF of Congress are millionaires. If we're ever going to rebuild trust in government again, one thing we need is more regular people in positions of power.
Working people are losing faith in Congress, the media, the Supreme Court—essentially every institution EXCEPT the labor movement.
Workers know that unions fight for them and are their best shot to build a better life for themselves and their family. It’s #BetterInAUnion! ✊
Workers know that unions fight for them and are their best shot to build a better life for themselves and their family. It’s #BetterInAUnion! ✊
August 28, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Working people still have faith in the labor movement because working people ARE the labor movement. Most recent data shows that HALF of Congress are millionaires. If we're ever going to rebuild trust in government again, one thing we need is more regular people in positions of power.
Reposted by Lena Bilik
"Childcare undergirds everything we care about as Americans." - Great conversation between @lbilik.bsky.social and @ehaspel.bsky.social in today's Fireside Stacks.
www.firesidestacks.com/p/raising-a-...
www.firesidestacks.com/p/raising-a-...
Raising a Nation: Elliot Haspel on What a Universal Childcare Movement Will Take
It is no secret that childcare in the US is, as Elliot Haspel puts it, “a hellscape.” Elliot’s new book, Raising a Nation: 10 Reasons Every American Has a Stake in Child Care for All, is a welcome add...
www.firesidestacks.com
August 28, 2025 at 4:41 PM
"Childcare undergirds everything we care about as Americans." - Great conversation between @lbilik.bsky.social and @ehaspel.bsky.social in today's Fireside Stacks.
www.firesidestacks.com/p/raising-a-...
www.firesidestacks.com/p/raising-a-...
Reposted by Lena Bilik
Childcare holds families, communities, and our economy together.
In the latest #FiresideStacks 🔥, @lbilik.bsky.social sat down with @ehaspel.bsky.social, who makes a compelling case for universal childcare as a central tenet of the American Dream. www.firesidestacks.com/p/raising-a-...
In the latest #FiresideStacks 🔥, @lbilik.bsky.social sat down with @ehaspel.bsky.social, who makes a compelling case for universal childcare as a central tenet of the American Dream. www.firesidestacks.com/p/raising-a-...
August 28, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Childcare holds families, communities, and our economy together.
In the latest #FiresideStacks 🔥, @lbilik.bsky.social sat down with @ehaspel.bsky.social, who makes a compelling case for universal childcare as a central tenet of the American Dream. www.firesidestacks.com/p/raising-a-...
In the latest #FiresideStacks 🔥, @lbilik.bsky.social sat down with @ehaspel.bsky.social, who makes a compelling case for universal childcare as a central tenet of the American Dream. www.firesidestacks.com/p/raising-a-...
Communities have been winning incredible state-level funding for childcare - but this is a reminder that the fight isn't over. We have to protect these wins AND go even further -- from an inequitable patchwork of state policies, to a national universal childcare system. tinyurl.com/bdz4cyd5
The “mission accomplished” problem haunting child care activists
State trust funds can come with an unexpected cost.
tinyurl.com
August 25, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Communities have been winning incredible state-level funding for childcare - but this is a reminder that the fight isn't over. We have to protect these wins AND go even further -- from an inequitable patchwork of state policies, to a national universal childcare system. tinyurl.com/bdz4cyd5
Reposted by Lena Bilik
Childcare shouldn’t be a luxury.
@lbilik.bsky.social spoke with @publicnewsservice.bsky.social about the need for federal investments to build a universal childcare system that works for families and the workforce. app.publicnewsservice.org/sto...?
@lbilik.bsky.social spoke with @publicnewsservice.bsky.social about the need for federal investments to build a universal childcare system that works for families and the workforce. app.publicnewsservice.org/sto...?
August 21, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Childcare shouldn’t be a luxury.
@lbilik.bsky.social spoke with @publicnewsservice.bsky.social about the need for federal investments to build a universal childcare system that works for families and the workforce. app.publicnewsservice.org/sto...?
@lbilik.bsky.social spoke with @publicnewsservice.bsky.social about the need for federal investments to build a universal childcare system that works for families and the workforce. app.publicnewsservice.org/sto...?
Reposted by Lena Bilik
Struggling to find or afford childcare is a common experience for many American workers.
The patchwork of market options has failed.
@lbilik.bsky.social talks with @publicnewsservice.bsky.social about a "public option" for MN families and beyond.
app.publicnewsservice.org/story/can-pu...?
The patchwork of market options has failed.
@lbilik.bsky.social talks with @publicnewsservice.bsky.social about a "public option" for MN families and beyond.
app.publicnewsservice.org/story/can-pu...?
Can public option save MN families from expensive child care?
It is a burden many Minnesota parents can relate to, struggling to afford child care or finding an open slot and now, a decades-old idea to create equal access around
app.publicnewsservice.org
August 19, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Struggling to find or afford childcare is a common experience for many American workers.
The patchwork of market options has failed.
@lbilik.bsky.social talks with @publicnewsservice.bsky.social about a "public option" for MN families and beyond.
app.publicnewsservice.org/story/can-pu...?
The patchwork of market options has failed.
@lbilik.bsky.social talks with @publicnewsservice.bsky.social about a "public option" for MN families and beyond.
app.publicnewsservice.org/story/can-pu...?
Thankful as usual that @warren.senate.gov always calls it like it is.
As I laid out in more detail last week in a @rooseveltinstitute.org blog - Handouts to a few billionaires does NOT improve the economy. But you know what does? Investing in kids.
shorturl.at/GgEOY
As I laid out in more detail last week in a @rooseveltinstitute.org blog - Handouts to a few billionaires does NOT improve the economy. But you know what does? Investing in kids.
shorturl.at/GgEOY
July 25, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Thankful as usual that @warren.senate.gov always calls it like it is.
As I laid out in more detail last week in a @rooseveltinstitute.org blog - Handouts to a few billionaires does NOT improve the economy. But you know what does? Investing in kids.
shorturl.at/GgEOY
As I laid out in more detail last week in a @rooseveltinstitute.org blog - Handouts to a few billionaires does NOT improve the economy. But you know what does? Investing in kids.
shorturl.at/GgEOY
Absolutely disgusting recent move by HHS to make Head Start for "American citizens" only. Not only a devastating loss to undocumented families, it will have a chilling effect on immigrant families in general who need the program, as well as low-income families without gov IDs.
shorturl.at/4leTI
shorturl.at/4leTI
20 states sue over immigration restrictions for Head Start, other programs
The lawsuit alleges the Trump administration policy change would lead to the "collapse of some of the nation’s most vital public programs."
shorturl.at
July 23, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Absolutely disgusting recent move by HHS to make Head Start for "American citizens" only. Not only a devastating loss to undocumented families, it will have a chilling effect on immigrant families in general who need the program, as well as low-income families without gov IDs.
shorturl.at/4leTI
shorturl.at/4leTI
Reposted by Lena Bilik
Really proud of this! I wrote a proposal for the @rooseveltinstitute.org about how to design a universal system for child care, after school, and summer.
In my latest newsletter, I talk about what it would look like, how it would work, and the potential it holds.
open.substack.com/pub/kedsecon...
In my latest newsletter, I talk about what it would look like, how it would work, and the potential it holds.
open.substack.com/pub/kedsecon...
Let's go as big as families deserve
My proposal for a universal Child Development System
open.substack.com
July 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Really proud of this! I wrote a proposal for the @rooseveltinstitute.org about how to design a universal system for child care, after school, and summer.
In my latest newsletter, I talk about what it would look like, how it would work, and the potential it holds.
open.substack.com/pub/kedsecon...
In my latest newsletter, I talk about what it would look like, how it would work, and the potential it holds.
open.substack.com/pub/kedsecon...
Over the last year, Roosevelt had the invaluable opportunity to speak with parents, childcare providers, and grassroots organizers to help us vision what a truly public, universal childcare system could look like, w/ partners at Community Change & @economicsecurityproject.org.
Check out our report:
Check out our report:
NEW📃: The US childcare system is failing families. It's unaffordable, unsustainable, & susceptible to corporate interests.
Today, we offer a bold vision to build a public, universal ECE system that puts children, families, and workers first. rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
Today, we offer a bold vision to build a public, universal ECE system that puts children, families, and workers first. rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
July 21, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Over the last year, Roosevelt had the invaluable opportunity to speak with parents, childcare providers, and grassroots organizers to help us vision what a truly public, universal childcare system could look like, w/ partners at Community Change & @economicsecurityproject.org.
Check out our report:
Check out our report:
New in @msnbc.com from me & @suzmkahn.bsky.social:
Don't let the messaging fool you: a few tax credits (that don't even reach the poorest families) will never solve the childcare crisis. Americans need and deserve historic investment in public universal childcare, and we should demand nothing less.
Don't let the messaging fool you: a few tax credits (that don't even reach the poorest families) will never solve the childcare crisis. Americans need and deserve historic investment in public universal childcare, and we should demand nothing less.
OPINION by @suzmkahn.bsky.social & @lbilik.bsky.social:
“For too long, U.S. policymakers have treated child care as a problem primarily for the private market. But child care is a broken market.”
READ MORE:
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
“For too long, U.S. policymakers have treated child care as a problem primarily for the private market. But child care is a broken market.”
READ MORE:
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Opinion | JD Vance is putting a new spin on Trump’s wildly unpopular megabill
It’s true that the law will provide modest support for child care costs, yet it’s anything but pro-family.
www.msnbc.com
July 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
New in @msnbc.com from me & @suzmkahn.bsky.social:
Don't let the messaging fool you: a few tax credits (that don't even reach the poorest families) will never solve the childcare crisis. Americans need and deserve historic investment in public universal childcare, and we should demand nothing less.
Don't let the messaging fool you: a few tax credits (that don't even reach the poorest families) will never solve the childcare crisis. Americans need and deserve historic investment in public universal childcare, and we should demand nothing less.