Rob Maxim
@robmaxim.bsky.social
Fellow at Brookings writing about workers, tech, higher ed, and Indigenous communities. Mashpee Wampanoag 🌅
Those of us with toddlers are also acutely aware of the “Doggyland” figurine for the Tonie player
February 13, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Those of us with toddlers are also acutely aware of the “Doggyland” figurine for the Tonie player
Reposted by Rob Maxim
February 11, 2026 at 11:56 AM
If you or someone in your network is interested in working at @brookings.edu on issues affecting Native Americans and Tribal economies, I am hiring for a (paid!) summer intern. You can find more info or apply here:
Jobs and Internships
interns-brookings.icims.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:57 PM
If you or someone in your network is interested in working at @brookings.edu on issues affecting Native Americans and Tribal economies, I am hiring for a (paid!) summer intern. You can find more info or apply here:
Reposted by Rob Maxim
I will simply never recover from reading this sentence:
"Since Georgia implemented work requirements in 2020, they have spent twice as much on Deloitte consultants and administrative costs as on healthcare for people."
"Since Georgia implemented work requirements in 2020, they have spent twice as much on Deloitte consultants and administrative costs as on healthcare for people."
Today, Luke Farrell (@lukef.bsky.social) explains how complex eligibility requirements have turned America’s safety net into a lucrative revenue stream for monopolistic private contractors.
The Means-Testing Industrial Complex
As Republicans tightened work requirements and eligibility rules for Medicaid and SNAP last year, Equifax’s CEO openly celebrated the profits to be made from administering this deprivation.
lpeproject.org
January 28, 2026 at 4:33 PM
I will simply never recover from reading this sentence:
"Since Georgia implemented work requirements in 2020, they have spent twice as much on Deloitte consultants and administrative costs as on healthcare for people."
"Since Georgia implemented work requirements in 2020, they have spent twice as much on Deloitte consultants and administrative costs as on healthcare for people."
In the wake of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history last year, I spoke with Terry Gerton at @federalnewsnetwork.com about how shutdowns affect Tribal nations, and the problems that relying on discretionary funding create for Native Americans.
The latest shutdown exposed real problems in how Washington funds Indian Country
"[I]n some areas, the federal government may be appropriating only about one-tenth of what it actually owes to tribal communities," Robert Maxim said.
federalnewsnetwork.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:19 PM
In the wake of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history last year, I spoke with Terry Gerton at @federalnewsnetwork.com about how shutdowns affect Tribal nations, and the problems that relying on discretionary funding create for Native Americans.
Reposted by Rob Maxim
the horror of this is compounded by the fact that the whipple building sits on the same military fort where 1600+ Dakota, mostly women and children were held in a concentration camp in 1863, where over 300 died
Oglala Sioux Tribe demands the release of Lakota men detained by ICE www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Oglala Sioux Tribe demands the release of Lakota men detained by ICE
The Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota has demanded the Department of Homeland Security release tribally enrolled citizens held by ICE, according to a statement released by the tribe.
www.mprnews.org
January 14, 2026 at 1:46 PM
the horror of this is compounded by the fact that the whipple building sits on the same military fort where 1600+ Dakota, mostly women and children were held in a concentration camp in 1863, where over 300 died
Proud that @nativerights.bsky.social cited my @brookings.edu research with Glencora Haskins in their amicus brief for National Council of Nonprofits v. OMB. This federal case is challenging the Trump Administration's attempted blanket funding freeze, which would significantly harm Indian Country
U.S. must fulfill obligations by protecting programs - Native American Rights Fund
On December 24, 2025, NARF filed an amicus brief supporting an injunction that has blocked the destructive, broad-based freeze of federal funding that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directe...
narf.org
January 9, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Proud that @nativerights.bsky.social cited my @brookings.edu research with Glencora Haskins in their amicus brief for National Council of Nonprofits v. OMB. This federal case is challenging the Trump Administration's attempted blanket funding freeze, which would significantly harm Indian Country
Reposted by Rob Maxim
The Sen̓áḵw residential complex, developed by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation, continues to rise by the Burrard Bridge in #Vancouver. A really impressive manifestation of indigenous urbanism (with a little sustainable futurism thrown in…)
December 7, 2025 at 11:37 PM
The Sen̓áḵw residential complex, developed by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation, continues to rise by the Burrard Bridge in #Vancouver. A really impressive manifestation of indigenous urbanism (with a little sustainable futurism thrown in…)
Last month’s lack of jobs report showed the importance of reliable federal economic data. However, Native communities have never had access to high-quality federal data, with significant negative impacts for Tribal governance.
My new piece for @nativenewsonline.bsky.social with Steven Estrada:
My new piece for @nativenewsonline.bsky.social with Steven Estrada:
The Absence of October's Job Report Shows Why Native American Communities Need Better Data
Guest Opinion. On November 19, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that, as a result of the government shutdown, it would not release its October jobs report—the first time in the report’s 77-yea...
nativenewsonline.net
December 2, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Last month’s lack of jobs report showed the importance of reliable federal economic data. However, Native communities have never had access to high-quality federal data, with significant negative impacts for Tribal governance.
My new piece for @nativenewsonline.bsky.social with Steven Estrada:
My new piece for @nativenewsonline.bsky.social with Steven Estrada:
Last month I had the honor of giving the fireside keynote at the @minneapolisfed.bsky.social’s Center for Indian Country Development data summit.
@camohrwriter.bsky.social has put out a great new article overviewing the summit and its takeaways for Indian Country:
@camohrwriter.bsky.social has put out a great new article overviewing the summit and its takeaways for Indian Country:
At milestone CICD event, tribal leaders reflect on leveraging economic data as a tool of sovereignty | Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Speakers at the Center for Indian Country Development’s tenth-anniversary commemoration and fifth annual data summit described how in the modern era, economic data support tribes in governing their na...
www.minneapolisfed.org
November 26, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Last month I had the honor of giving the fireside keynote at the @minneapolisfed.bsky.social’s Center for Indian Country Development data summit.
@camohrwriter.bsky.social has put out a great new article overviewing the summit and its takeaways for Indian Country:
@camohrwriter.bsky.social has put out a great new article overviewing the summit and its takeaways for Indian Country:
Reposted by Rob Maxim
The government shutdown revealed a major flaw in how the U.S. funds Native American Tribes.
@robmaxim.bsky.social and co-authors outline why reform is needed—and what Congress can do to ensure stability.
@robmaxim.bsky.social and co-authors outline why reform is needed—and what Congress can do to ensure stability.
The government shutdown shows the need to reform how the federal government funds Native American Tribes and communities | Brookings
This piece summarizes the challenges that the congressional funding process and government shutdowns present to Tribal Nations, citizens, and communities.
www.brookings.edu
October 31, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The government shutdown revealed a major flaw in how the U.S. funds Native American Tribes.
@robmaxim.bsky.social and co-authors outline why reform is needed—and what Congress can do to ensure stability.
@robmaxim.bsky.social and co-authors outline why reform is needed—and what Congress can do to ensure stability.
Reposted by Rob Maxim
As part of today's Center for Indian Country Development Data Summit, Director Casey Lozar will give remarks followed by a fireside chat with Brookings Metro's @robmaxim.bsky.social. Tune in live 10:15-10:50 a.m. CT to listen: https://www.minneapolisfed.org/live
CICD 10th Anniversary and Data Summit | Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Braiding the past and future of Native economies
bit.ly
October 9, 2025 at 3:11 PM
As part of today's Center for Indian Country Development Data Summit, Director Casey Lozar will give remarks followed by a fireside chat with Brookings Metro's @robmaxim.bsky.social. Tune in live 10:15-10:50 a.m. CT to listen: https://www.minneapolisfed.org/live
Reposted by Rob Maxim
A good conversation about the importance of maintaining the integrity of government economic data -- and investing in improvements. @brookings.edu Here's the video
www.youtube.com/live/SnccjSu...
www.youtube.com/live/SnccjSu...
The importance of credible government economic data to business
YouTube video by Brookings Institution
www.youtube.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:19 PM
A good conversation about the importance of maintaining the integrity of government economic data -- and investing in improvements. @brookings.edu Here's the video
www.youtube.com/live/SnccjSu...
www.youtube.com/live/SnccjSu...
Reposted by Rob Maxim
“Charlene Aqpik Apok launched Data for Indigenous Justice in 2020 after trying to collect the names of missing and murdered Indigenous people to read at a rally, only to discover no government agency had been keeping track”
Colonialism is also when the state makes it hard to gather data on MMIWP
Colonialism is also when the state makes it hard to gather data on MMIWP
When the nonprofit Data for Indigenous Justice filed public records requests with the Alaska Department of Public Safety concerning cases it had investigated, the state rejected them.
Alaska vowed to resolve murders of Indigenous people. Now it refuses to provide their names.
www.adn.com
August 29, 2025 at 8:03 PM
“Charlene Aqpik Apok launched Data for Indigenous Justice in 2020 after trying to collect the names of missing and murdered Indigenous people to read at a rally, only to discover no government agency had been keeping track”
Colonialism is also when the state makes it hard to gather data on MMIWP
Colonialism is also when the state makes it hard to gather data on MMIWP
Reposted by Rob Maxim
"It is obviously disappointing that the Trump Administration continues to attack federal workers and their Unions. It is particularly upsetting that this administration has done so on the eve of Labor Day, a federal holiday intended to honor and thank workers."
IFPTE Condemns Trump Administration’s Latest Attack on Federal Workers and Their Unions — IFPTE
As the nation prepares to honor and thank working families across the nation this Labor Day weekend, the Trump Administration has issued another Executive Order (EO) attempting to strip collective bar...
www.ifpte.org
August 29, 2025 at 1:21 PM
"It is obviously disappointing that the Trump Administration continues to attack federal workers and their Unions. It is particularly upsetting that this administration has done so on the eve of Labor Day, a federal holiday intended to honor and thank workers."
This week our @brookings.edu team released a report on how public data fails Tribes and Native American people.
It comes as the federal government works to undermine confidence in public data.
Here’s a thread on why you should care about high-quality data, and how to improve it for Native people 👇
It comes as the federal government works to undermine confidence in public data.
Here’s a thread on why you should care about high-quality data, and how to improve it for Native people 👇
Good data, stronger Tribes | Brookings
This analysis aims to identify the role that regional organizations can play in solving data challenges that exist for Native nations and Native American people.
www.brookings.edu
August 28, 2025 at 6:23 PM
This week our @brookings.edu team released a report on how public data fails Tribes and Native American people.
It comes as the federal government works to undermine confidence in public data.
Here’s a thread on why you should care about high-quality data, and how to improve it for Native people 👇
It comes as the federal government works to undermine confidence in public data.
Here’s a thread on why you should care about high-quality data, and how to improve it for Native people 👇
Great piece by Jourdan Bennett-Begaye at @ict-news.bsky.social on our new report about Native American data.
We discussed how state and regional governments can help improve data for Tribes and Native American people in the wake of the federal government’s destructive actions toward public data.
We discussed how state and regional governments can help improve data for Tribes and Native American people in the wake of the federal government’s destructive actions toward public data.
'Historically and moving forward’: Federal government is not the place for data - ICT
A report from Brookings and the Southern California Association of Governments looks at how regional and state governments can step up in data work with Native people and tribes in southern California
ictnews.org
August 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Great piece by Jourdan Bennett-Begaye at @ict-news.bsky.social on our new report about Native American data.
We discussed how state and regional governments can help improve data for Tribes and Native American people in the wake of the federal government’s destructive actions toward public data.
We discussed how state and regional governments can help improve data for Tribes and Native American people in the wake of the federal government’s destructive actions toward public data.
With the Trump Administration undermining federal data, Native American Tribes need new partners to access high-quality data about their lands and citizens.
My new @brookings.edu report with @manannan.bsky.social and @hlstephens.bsky.social explores how states and regions can support Tribal data 👇
My new @brookings.edu report with @manannan.bsky.social and @hlstephens.bsky.social explores how states and regions can support Tribal data 👇
Good data, stronger Tribes | Brookings
This analysis aims to identify the role that regional organizations can play in solving data challenges that exist for Native nations and Native American people.
www.brookings.edu
August 26, 2025 at 1:05 PM
With the Trump Administration undermining federal data, Native American Tribes need new partners to access high-quality data about their lands and citizens.
My new @brookings.edu report with @manannan.bsky.social and @hlstephens.bsky.social explores how states and regions can support Tribal data 👇
My new @brookings.edu report with @manannan.bsky.social and @hlstephens.bsky.social explores how states and regions can support Tribal data 👇
Reposted by Rob Maxim
Legally, tribal businesses operating on trust land do not have to pay local taxes. A town in southern Oklahoma is threatening to shut off the water and sewage to Delaware Nation’s casino unless the tribe pays city taxes. www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
August 7, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Legally, tribal businesses operating on trust land do not have to pay local taxes. A town in southern Oklahoma is threatening to shut off the water and sewage to Delaware Nation’s casino unless the tribe pays city taxes. www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
Reposted by Rob Maxim
EXTREMELY BAD NEWS for economic research, per former BLS Commissioner @ericagroshen.bsky.social on LinkedIn.
BLS is suspending access to its restricted data "for the forseeable future." Applies to projects through the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers & onsite projects with BLS.
#EconSky
BLS is suspending access to its restricted data "for the forseeable future." Applies to projects through the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers & onsite projects with BLS.
#EconSky
June 6, 2025 at 6:54 PM
EXTREMELY BAD NEWS for economic research, per former BLS Commissioner @ericagroshen.bsky.social on LinkedIn.
BLS is suspending access to its restricted data "for the forseeable future." Applies to projects through the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers & onsite projects with BLS.
#EconSky
BLS is suspending access to its restricted data "for the forseeable future." Applies to projects through the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers & onsite projects with BLS.
#EconSky
Reposted by Rob Maxim
What to make of POTUS's attempt to fire the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)?
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
August 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM
What to make of POTUS's attempt to fire the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)?
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
Reposted by Rob Maxim
From @hshierholz.bsky.social: Trump's firing of BLS commissioner is undemocratic and economically dangerous. Between illegal firings, starving data agencies of resources, and now political intimidation, the US looks set to run into the next economic downturn flying blind
www.epi.org/press/trumps...
www.epi.org/press/trumps...
August 1, 2025 at 8:08 PM
From @hshierholz.bsky.social: Trump's firing of BLS commissioner is undemocratic and economically dangerous. Between illegal firings, starving data agencies of resources, and now political intimidation, the US looks set to run into the next economic downturn flying blind
www.epi.org/press/trumps...
www.epi.org/press/trumps...
Reposted by Rob Maxim
I know it’s a troll. I also know that this is an official government account sharing art that was designed to propagate Indigenous dispossession, cultural destruction, and conquest, and that whoever shared this surely knew it. It is right there in the painting.
July 24, 2025 at 2:50 AM
I know it’s a troll. I also know that this is an official government account sharing art that was designed to propagate Indigenous dispossession, cultural destruction, and conquest, and that whoever shared this surely knew it. It is right there in the painting.
Can confirm that no Native people are clamoring for the Commanders to use their old name.
However, if you’re wondering what Native people actually want from the Trump Admin, you can listen to my recent podcast ep with Allison Neswood of @nativerights.bsky.social: www.brookings.edu/articles/rob...
However, if you’re wondering what Native people actually want from the Trump Admin, you can listen to my recent podcast ep with Allison Neswood of @nativerights.bsky.social: www.brookings.edu/articles/rob...
July 20, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Can confirm that no Native people are clamoring for the Commanders to use their old name.
However, if you’re wondering what Native people actually want from the Trump Admin, you can listen to my recent podcast ep with Allison Neswood of @nativerights.bsky.social: www.brookings.edu/articles/rob...
However, if you’re wondering what Native people actually want from the Trump Admin, you can listen to my recent podcast ep with Allison Neswood of @nativerights.bsky.social: www.brookings.edu/articles/rob...
DC voters keep voting to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers, and the DC Council keeps voting to overturn the will of the people.
Kind of kills their credibility when they call for voting rights for DC residents. If you want to support DC voting rights, try respecting DC voters.
Kind of kills their credibility when they call for voting rights for DC residents. If you want to support DC voting rights, try respecting DC voters.
NEWS: Tomorrow D.C. Council will vote on repealing Initiative 82, which phases out the tipped minimum wage. Under proposal, base wage for tipped workers would be $8 (down from $10 now), but min. wage they’d earn would be $20. That’s more than $17.50 non-tipped workers make.
July 14, 2025 at 12:51 AM
DC voters keep voting to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers, and the DC Council keeps voting to overturn the will of the people.
Kind of kills their credibility when they call for voting rights for DC residents. If you want to support DC voting rights, try respecting DC voters.
Kind of kills their credibility when they call for voting rights for DC residents. If you want to support DC voting rights, try respecting DC voters.