Rick McGahey
@rickmcgahey.bsky.social
economist, urbanist, progressive. AsstSec Policy USDOL, XDir Joint Economic Committee, Econ advisor to Senator Kennedy.Now New School @racepowerpolicy.org visiting at Arizona State @cwd-asu.bsky.social, author of Unequal Cities (2023, Columbia U. Press)
Terrific piece by @mtkonczal.bsky.social on how progressives can engage "abundance." Current push to make it an "omnicause" reminds me of how "nudge" was oversold to argue against more direct interventions in markets and policy.
After a lot of private discussions, I wander into the Abundance vs progressives debates and where they stand out here in 2026.
It's not just relative positioning; there's three substantive open questions about how Abundance works that could use clarity.
newsletter.mikekonczal.com/p/what-progr...
It's not just relative positioning; there's three substantive open questions about how Abundance works that could use clarity.
newsletter.mikekonczal.com/p/what-progr...
What Progressives Want to Know About Abundance
Off Twitter/X, the concerns are about boundaries, business, omnicauses, and what complements liberal priorities versus what replaces them.
newsletter.mikekonczal.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Terrific piece by @mtkonczal.bsky.social on how progressives can engage "abundance." Current push to make it an "omnicause" reminds me of how "nudge" was oversold to argue against more direct interventions in markets and policy.
I said the Mamdani-Trump truce couldn't last, although I thought it might get more than two days. But on Meet the Press, Mamdani affirmed he thinks Trump is a "fascist" and a "despot."
www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
November 23, 2025 at 11:23 PM
I said the Mamdani-Trump truce couldn't last, although I thought it might get more than two days. But on Meet the Press, Mamdani affirmed he thinks Trump is a "fascist" and a "despot."
www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
The meeting of @realdonaldtrump.govmirrors.com and @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social was surprisingly friendly; like others, I expected a lot more conflict. But deep political and policy differences remain that can't be bridged by one TV op. My latest blog in @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Can Trump And Mamdani’s TV Truce Overcome Their Deep Differences?
The Trump-Mamdani meeting was surprisingly friendly, but deep policy and political differences remain, especially over affordability.
www.forbes.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:50 PM
The meeting of @realdonaldtrump.govmirrors.com and @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social was surprisingly friendly; like others, I expected a lot more conflict. But deep political and policy differences remain that can't be bridged by one TV op. My latest blog in @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Community voices led by COPS/Metro fought it, but San Antonio will give hundreds of millions in subsidies to the San Antonio Spurs' wealthy owners . Economists know subsidies don't work, but cities and states keep giving taxes away. My latest @forbes.com blog:
www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
San Antonio: Do Stadium Subsidies Reward Billionaires Or Communities?
San Antonio is the latest approval of subsidies to billionaire sports owners even though economic research shows subsidies don't pay off. What can communities do?
www.forbes.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Community voices led by COPS/Metro fought it, but San Antonio will give hundreds of millions in subsidies to the San Antonio Spurs' wealthy owners . Economists know subsidies don't work, but cities and states keep giving taxes away. My latest @forbes.com blog:
www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
As we revisit the 50th anniversary of New York's fiscal crisis and near bankruptcy, #DavidEichenthal in @vitalcitynyc.bsky.social reminds us federal aid ultimately was provided, and how cities now face much worse prospects under @realdonaldtrump.govmirrors.com. www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/wha...
Vital City | What Came After ‘Drop Dead’
In the 1970s, the federal government helped rescue New York, but cities today can’t count on help from Washington.
www.vitalcitynyc.org
October 31, 2025 at 8:15 PM
As we revisit the 50th anniversary of New York's fiscal crisis and near bankruptcy, #DavidEichenthal in @vitalcitynyc.bsky.social reminds us federal aid ultimately was provided, and how cities now face much worse prospects under @realdonaldtrump.govmirrors.com. www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/wha...
No Kings in Sedona AZ thousands marching lots of supportive car honking
October 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
No Kings in Sedona AZ thousands marching lots of supportive car honking
#Trump attacks on #cities combined with America's anti-urban bias mean even if @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social is New York's next mayor, he'll have little room to enact or expand his programs. My article in @vitalcitynyc.bsky.social: www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/can...
Vital City | Can Cities Withstand Trump’s Assault?
Economically, New York faces few good options in the face of Washington’s hostility.
www.vitalcitynyc.org
October 18, 2025 at 1:34 AM
#Trump attacks on #cities combined with America's anti-urban bias mean even if @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social is New York's next mayor, he'll have little room to enact or expand his programs. My article in @vitalcitynyc.bsky.social: www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/can...
Billions in public dollars for #semiconductor reshoring now in economy, important conference at @arizonastateuni.bsky.social Center for Work and Democracy on how #industrialpolicy can benefit economy, industry, workers, and communities. My latest @forbes.com:
www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Making Federal Semiconductor Billions Work For Everyone
Billions in government support is spurring semiconductor investments, which a conference at Arizona State says need worker, environmental, and community benefits.
www.forbes.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Billions in public dollars for #semiconductor reshoring now in economy, important conference at @arizonastateuni.bsky.social Center for Work and Democracy on how #industrialpolicy can benefit economy, industry, workers, and communities. My latest @forbes.com:
www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
As @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social makes us think how New York CIty's economy can better serve those left out, a timely and important new book by historian Daniel Wortel-London, "The Menace of Prosperity," shows us that battle through the city's history. www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Rethinking New York City’s Economy: “The Menace Of Prosperity”
A new history of New York City's economy shows alternative visions from the past with ideas for the future; it will interest Mamdani and others who care about cities.
www.forbes.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:29 AM
As @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social makes us think how New York CIty's economy can better serve those left out, a timely and important new book by historian Daniel Wortel-London, "The Menace of Prosperity," shows us that battle through the city's history. www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
The pending federal #shutdown is not only about spending, but reflects a growing #Constitutional fight over Congressional and presidential power. My latest @forbes.com blog: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Shutdown Crisis: Trump Battling Over Congress’ Constitutional Powers
The pending government shutdown also is about a constitutional fight over Congressional and presidential power.
www.forbes.com
September 28, 2025 at 10:55 PM
The pending federal #shutdown is not only about spending, but reflects a growing #Constitutional fight over Congressional and presidential power. My latest @forbes.com blog: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
#AI dynamic pricing used for tickets to #WorldCup, #WaltDisneyWorld, Taylor Swift tour, and elsewhere. Fair and efficient, or disempowering for consumers and workers, and ethically challenged? My latest @forbes.com blog: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
World Cup, Disney World, Taylor Swift—Is AI Ticket Pricing Unethical?
The World Cup, Disney World, and Taylor Swift all use AI-enabled ticket pricing, but some complain it is unfair and unethical.
www.forbes.com
September 18, 2025 at 5:26 PM
#AI dynamic pricing used for tickets to #WorldCup, #WaltDisneyWorld, Taylor Swift tour, and elsewhere. Fair and efficient, or disempowering for consumers and workers, and ethically challenged? My latest @forbes.com blog: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
@nytimes.com story on @UAW.org doesn’t mention UAW higher education members, some estimates over 25% of membership (I’m in @UAWRegion9A.bsky.social) Fain has support strong there
Shawn Fain, Who Pledged to Reform U.A.W., Faces Internal Dissent nytimes.com/2025/09/15/bus… via @NYTimes
Shawn Fain, Who Pledged to Reform U.A.W., Faces Internal Dissent nytimes.com/2025/09/15/bus… via @NYTimes
https://nytimes.com/2025/09/15/bus…
September 15, 2025 at 8:33 PM
@nytimes.com story on @UAW.org doesn’t mention UAW higher education members, some estimates over 25% of membership (I’m in @UAWRegion9A.bsky.social) Fain has support strong there
Shawn Fain, Who Pledged to Reform U.A.W., Faces Internal Dissent nytimes.com/2025/09/15/bus… via @NYTimes
Shawn Fain, Who Pledged to Reform U.A.W., Faces Internal Dissent nytimes.com/2025/09/15/bus… via @NYTimes
New York #BoardofElections approves pro-housing amendments for voter consideration, in spite of some progressive opposition. But some in NY and L.A. fight against more housing, a mistaken position that will make affordability worse. My latest @forbes.com blog: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Progressives NIMBYs Threaten Affordable Housing In New York And L.A.
Opposition by some progressives to housing development in New York and Los Angeles could worsen housing affordability.
www.forbes.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:24 PM
New York #BoardofElections approves pro-housing amendments for voter consideration, in spite of some progressive opposition. But some in NY and L.A. fight against more housing, a mistaken position that will make affordability worse. My latest @forbes.com blog: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
On #LaborDay, conservatives like #OrenCass say they support workers, but oppose unions. But as @epi.org and @aflcio.org know, without unions, workers won't get the benefits and protections they need. My latest @forbes.com blog: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Labor Day 2025: Can Conservatives Support Workers Without Unions?
Labor Day 2025: Conservatives like Oren Cass say they support workers, but their opposition to unions means workers won't get benefits or protections they need.
www.forbes.com
August 31, 2025 at 7:27 PM
On #LaborDay, conservatives like #OrenCass say they support workers, but oppose unions. But as @epi.org and @aflcio.org know, without unions, workers won't get the benefits and protections they need. My latest @forbes.com blog: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Insiders in both red and blue metros are blocking #affordablehousing, important recent #NBER paper by Glaeser and Gyourko. My latest @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Both Red And Blue Regions Are Blocking Affordable Housing
Both blue and red metropolitan areas block affordable housing as insiders use overregulation to prevent new construction
www.forbes.com
August 27, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Insiders in both red and blue metros are blocking #affordablehousing, important recent #NBER paper by Glaeser and Gyourko. My latest @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Can @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social deliver his policies for New York City? Tension between progressive goals and realities of governing. My latest @forbes.com : www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Can A Socialist Mayor Mamdani Deliver For New York City?
Can socialist Zohran Mamdani be an effective New York City mayor and keep his progressive policy ideas?
www.forbes.com
June 25, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Can @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social deliver his policies for New York City? Tension between progressive goals and realities of governing. My latest @forbes.com : www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Very important report out today on debt and development, written by progressive economist and commissioned to buy Pope Francis. Even with the Trump craziness, we must pay attention to these long-term structural problems that are choking off development for much of the world‘s population
Debt crises aren't just fiscal events–they reflect chronic underinvestment in the real economy. As a Commissioner on the Jubilee Commission, chaired by Prof Joseph Stiglitz & Martin Guzman, our report shows 60+ nations now spend more on debt service than health.
ipdcolumbia.org/publication/...
ipdcolumbia.org/publication/...
June 20, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Very important report out today on debt and development, written by progressive economist and commissioned to buy Pope Francis. Even with the Trump craziness, we must pay attention to these long-term structural problems that are choking off development for much of the world‘s population
Republicans are united, not divided, around #Trump #big,beautifulbill. Deep, regressive tax cuts paid for by severe cuts in the safety net and trillions more in borrowing. The Republicans share these objectives. My latest @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Republicans: “Unbelievable Unity,” Not Division, On Big Beautiful Bill
Republican have virtual unanimity on Trump's "big, beautiful bill": large regressive tax cuts, big reductions in social programs, and trillions more in borrowing.
www.forbes.com
June 16, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Republicans are united, not divided, around #Trump #big,beautifulbill. Deep, regressive tax cuts paid for by severe cuts in the safety net and trillions more in borrowing. The Republicans share these objectives. My latest @forbes.com: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Good old #patriarchy at the #NewYorkTimes. Story on Amy Comey Barrett "confounding the right and the left" says she "locked in conservative victories on gun rights, affirmative action, and the power of federal agencies." Guess ending womens' right to choose wasn't so important.
June 15, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Good old #patriarchy at the #NewYorkTimes. Story on Amy Comey Barrett "confounding the right and the left" says she "locked in conservative victories on gun rights, affirmative action, and the power of federal agencies." Guess ending womens' right to choose wasn't so important.
New York City revised its charter in 2022 to focus on #racialequity, coordinating that issue with the budget process. But the city is not meeting its deadlines and is behind what other cities are doing. My latest @forbes.com blog: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
New York’s Challenges In Budgeting For Racial Equity
New York City voters added racial equity provisions to the city charter. But implementation is lagging with required reports not issued.
www.forbes.com
June 4, 2025 at 2:40 PM
New York City revised its charter in 2022 to focus on #racialequity, coordinating that issue with the budget process. But the city is not meeting its deadlines and is behind what other cities are doing. My latest @forbes.com blog: www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
The first #100days of @donaldjtrump-maga.bsky.social include dramatic economic policy changes, especially in #tariffs. Do economists see a coherent strategy, or mostly chaos? (Hint: mostly chaos). My latest @forbes.com:
www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Trump’s First 100 Days Fuels An Economic Debate: Strategy Or Chaos
In his first 100 days, Trump claims to have an economic strategy while many economists see chaos and potential inflation and recession.
www.forbes.com
April 30, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The first #100days of @donaldjtrump-maga.bsky.social include dramatic economic policy changes, especially in #tariffs. Do economists see a coherent strategy, or mostly chaos? (Hint: mostly chaos). My latest @forbes.com:
www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Very sad news, my old boss and great Labor Secretary #alexisherman has died, too soon. Smart, principled, effective, and great to work for, she will be sorely missed. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/27/u...
Alexis Herman, First Black Secretary of Labor, Dies at 77
A social worker, she became a Democratic Party insider and joined President Bill Clinton’s cabinet during his second term.
www.nytimes.com
April 27, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Very sad news, my old boss and great Labor Secretary #alexisherman has died, too soon. Smart, principled, effective, and great to work for, she will be sorely missed. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/27/u...
Reposted by Rick McGahey
Here we are. America’s richest have never been richer & most Americans are scared they won’t be able to retire. It’s not hard to see why a pitchforks metaphor resonates. Fixing Social Security won’t solve everything. But it’s a smart and humane first step tinyurl.com/mstt9pvz
7 Alarming Facts About Wealth Inequality: Bring On the Pitchforks?
Now more than ever we are living in an era defined by a gaping and growing divide between the haves and have-nots.
tinyurl.com
April 21, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Here we are. America’s richest have never been richer & most Americans are scared they won’t be able to retire. It’s not hard to see why a pitchforks metaphor resonates. Fixing Social Security won’t solve everything. But it’s a smart and humane first step tinyurl.com/mstt9pvz
Amid continuing attacks on #DEI, @andreperryedu.bsky.social has a timely and important new book, "Black Power Scorecard," on continuing racial gaps and what it might take to overcome them. My review @forbes.com : www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
Andre Perry’s “Black Power Scorecard” Is Essential Reading, Especially Now
Andre Perry's "Black Power Scorecard" details America's persistent racial gaps and what it might take to overcome them.
www.forbes.com
April 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Amid continuing attacks on #DEI, @andreperryedu.bsky.social has a timely and important new book, "Black Power Scorecard," on continuing racial gaps and what it might take to overcome them. My review @forbes.com : www.forbes.com/sites/richar...
#SocialSecurity is being wrecked by Trump, Musk, and Doge. @tghilarducci.bsky.social tells us how hard it will hit seniors, and how the wreckage will have long term damage, in #Forbes. www.forbes.com/sites/teresa...
Social Security Is Breaking Down— Millions Will Feel It First
Trump and DOGE have not cut or delayed Social Security checks—yet. The Social Security Administration does not miss checks. In 80 years, it never missed payment
www.forbes.com
March 26, 2025 at 2:21 AM
#SocialSecurity is being wrecked by Trump, Musk, and Doge. @tghilarducci.bsky.social tells us how hard it will hit seniors, and how the wreckage will have long term damage, in #Forbes. www.forbes.com/sites/teresa...