Roosevelt Institute
@rooseveltinstitute.org
Advancing ideas that rebalance power in our economy and democracy. www.rooseveltinstitute.org
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NEW📰: Democracy requires both an informed citizenry and a free press. But how do these ideals show up in public policy?
Today, we have a paper out that looks at how media has become highly concentrated, commercialized, and drained of its public interest potential.
Today, we have a paper out that looks at how media has become highly concentrated, commercialized, and drained of its public interest potential.
Over 8 million workers are getting a long overdue raise.
19 states increased their minimum wage this month. More workers now live in states with a $15+ wage than those stuck at the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour.
Much needed relief for working families as wages lag behind the cost of living
19 states increased their minimum wage this month. More workers now live in states with a $15+ wage than those stuck at the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour.
Much needed relief for working families as wages lag behind the cost of living
Nineteen states raised their minimum wage starting this month, providing a pay bump to an estimated 8.3 million workers.
Sweeping Minimum-Wage Hikes Take Hold Across the Country
A mix of 19 states, both red and blue, bumped their minimum wages this month, several to over $15 an hour.
on.wsj.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Over 8 million workers are getting a long overdue raise.
19 states increased their minimum wage this month. More workers now live in states with a $15+ wage than those stuck at the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour.
Much needed relief for working families as wages lag behind the cost of living
19 states increased their minimum wage this month. More workers now live in states with a $15+ wage than those stuck at the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour.
Much needed relief for working families as wages lag behind the cost of living
85 years ago today, President Roosevelt gave a bold vision for the future based on four freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear. Decades later, these are still freedoms worth striving toward. #OnThisDay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrNDwyj4u1w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrNDwyj4u1w
Four Freedoms Speech
YouTube video by FDRLibrary
www.youtube.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:38 PM
85 years ago today, President Roosevelt gave a bold vision for the future based on four freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear. Decades later, these are still freedoms worth striving toward. #OnThisDay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrNDwyj4u1w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrNDwyj4u1w
The administration is freezing $10B in child care and anti-poverty funding in five states—putting care for hundreds of thousands of working-class families at risk.
Cuts or delays this large will strain providers, disrupt quality care for children, and could force working parents out of their jobs.
Cuts or delays this large will strain providers, disrupt quality care for children, and could force working parents out of their jobs.
BREAKING: The Trump administration is suspending $10 billion intended for child care and poor families in five blue states.
www.axios.com/2026/01/05/t...
www.axios.com/2026/01/05/t...
Trump administration to freeze billions in childcare funding in five states
The White House is pointing to reports of social services fraud in Minnesota to threaten funding for child care around the country.
www.axios.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:33 PM
The administration is freezing $10B in child care and anti-poverty funding in five states—putting care for hundreds of thousands of working-class families at risk.
Cuts or delays this large will strain providers, disrupt quality care for children, and could force working parents out of their jobs.
Cuts or delays this large will strain providers, disrupt quality care for children, and could force working parents out of their jobs.
Unregulated prediction markets put working-class users at risk when anonymous government insiders can skew the markets and profit from their own knowledge.
Democracy isn’t a game for policymakers to bet on. Serious regulation is long overdue.
🎯 from @prospect.org:
Democracy isn’t a game for policymakers to bet on. Serious regulation is long overdue.
🎯 from @prospect.org:
Monetizing Regime Change - The American Prospect
It is trivially easy for administration officials to use prediction markets to bet on the policies they authorize. We may have just seen it in Venezuela.
bit.ly
January 5, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Unregulated prediction markets put working-class users at risk when anonymous government insiders can skew the markets and profit from their own knowledge.
Democracy isn’t a game for policymakers to bet on. Serious regulation is long overdue.
🎯 from @prospect.org:
Democracy isn’t a game for policymakers to bet on. Serious regulation is long overdue.
🎯 from @prospect.org:
A new Yale–Columbia study confirms what many have feared: the Supreme Court is increasingly ruling for the wealthy, with GOP-appointed justices siding with the richer party 70% of the time this decade, up from ~45% in the 1950s.
Supreme Court Increasingly Favors the Rich, Economists Say
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:28 PM
A new Yale–Columbia study confirms what many have feared: the Supreme Court is increasingly ruling for the wealthy, with GOP-appointed justices siding with the richer party 70% of the time this decade, up from ~45% in the 1950s.
Reposted by Roosevelt Institute
The impacts of this admin recklessly shutting off all childcare funding to a state are grave. Our childcare system is struggling from an EXISTING supply crisis - anything that closes programs will have ripple effects on children, care workers, folks' ability to work, & the economy for years to come.
After the Trump administration shut off all childcare funding to Minnesota, over 200,000 children will lose access to care. Centers say they'll have to close. minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/31/m...
Minnesota child care providers say Trump’s funding freeze will shut down their businesses • Minnesota Reformer
Child care center owners and Minnesota Democratic leaders decried on Wednesday the Trump administration’s freeze on federal funding to the state, which they said would cripple an already fragile indus...
minnesotareformer.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:48 PM
The impacts of this admin recklessly shutting off all childcare funding to a state are grave. Our childcare system is struggling from an EXISTING supply crisis - anything that closes programs will have ripple effects on children, care workers, folks' ability to work, & the economy for years to come.
2025 was about asking hard questions—how can care, work, housing, AI, & media serve working people, not just profit-driven corporations?
In 2026, we’re excited to keep answering these questions so we can build a #GoodLife for all working families. #RI2025 https://rooseveltinstitute.org/
In 2026, we’re excited to keep answering these questions so we can build a #GoodLife for all working families. #RI2025 https://rooseveltinstitute.org/
January 2, 2026 at 9:12 PM
2025 was about asking hard questions—how can care, work, housing, AI, & media serve working people, not just profit-driven corporations?
In 2026, we’re excited to keep answering these questions so we can build a #GoodLife for all working families. #RI2025 https://rooseveltinstitute.org/
In 2026, we’re excited to keep answering these questions so we can build a #GoodLife for all working families. #RI2025 https://rooseveltinstitute.org/
Concentrated ownership and weakened public-interest institutions threaten democratic information systems, making reform a structural imperative.
In December, we explored concentrated power in our media industry and its impacts #RI2025 https://bit.ly/4oTUrBz
In December, we explored concentrated power in our media industry and its impacts #RI2025 https://bit.ly/4oTUrBz
The Political Economy of the US Media System: Excavating the Roots of the Present Crisis - Roosevelt Institute
Bilal Baydoun, Shahrzad Shams, and Victor Pickard trace the roots of the US media crisis to decades of deregulation and commercial capture, outlining how consolidation, news deserts, and platform domi...
rooseveltinstitute.org
January 2, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Concentrated ownership and weakened public-interest institutions threaten democratic information systems, making reform a structural imperative.
In December, we explored concentrated power in our media industry and its impacts #RI2025 https://bit.ly/4oTUrBz
In December, we explored concentrated power in our media industry and its impacts #RI2025 https://bit.ly/4oTUrBz
In October, @elizabethwwilkins.bsky.social led Roosevelt on the Road in Michigan to hear from local students and leaders about what families need to build lives of dignity—and spotlighted Detroit’s landmark suit against a PE firm that turned homes into digital tokens. #RI2025
Detroit’s Fight Against Housing Greed - Roosevelt Institute
In Winning a People-Powered Future, Roosevelt Institute President Elizabeth Wilkins emphasizes the importance of listening to people’s problems and aspirations, looking seriously at power in our econo...
rooseveltinstitute.org
January 1, 2026 at 3:51 PM
In October, @elizabethwwilkins.bsky.social led Roosevelt on the Road in Michigan to hear from local students and leaders about what families need to build lives of dignity—and spotlighted Detroit’s landmark suit against a PE firm that turned homes into digital tokens. #RI2025
The #RooseveltNetwork and #RooseveltSociety continued building pathways into leadership—through student fellowships, internships, intergenerational convenings, and new programs for mid-career professionals. This work bolsters our pipeline of people committed to bold, democratic governance. #RI2025
December 31, 2025 at 6:12 PM
The #RooseveltNetwork and #RooseveltSociety continued building pathways into leadership—through student fellowships, internships, intergenerational convenings, and new programs for mid-career professionals. This work bolsters our pipeline of people committed to bold, democratic governance. #RI2025
“Slop” was @merriam-webster.com's word of the year for 2025, capturing growing unease about AI.
Our work focused on what matters most: ensuring AI is implemented with worker voice and democratic oversight—not at workers’ expense. #RI2025
Our work focused on what matters most: ensuring AI is implemented with worker voice and democratic oversight—not at workers’ expense. #RI2025
Democratically Deploying AI Means Letting Labor Lead - Roosevelt Institute
The Trump administration’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) claims its plan to downsize the civil service and deploy new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) will provi...
rooseveltinstitute.org
December 30, 2025 at 6:38 PM
“Slop” was @merriam-webster.com's word of the year for 2025, capturing growing unease about AI.
Our work focused on what matters most: ensuring AI is implemented with worker voice and democratic oversight—not at workers’ expense. #RI2025
Our work focused on what matters most: ensuring AI is implemented with worker voice and democratic oversight—not at workers’ expense. #RI2025
From tariffs to green industrial policy, we helped advance the national conversation on state capacity and economic democracy.
Our convenings & analysis in outlets like @npr.org brought clarity to the debates shaping the future of our economy. #RI2025
Our convenings & analysis in outlets like @npr.org brought clarity to the debates shaping the future of our economy. #RI2025
A look at the 'golden share' agreement in the U.S. Steel-Nippon Steel partnership
NPR speaks with Todd Tucker, director of industrial policy and trade at the Roosevelt Institute, about the Trump administration's role in the U.S. Steel-Nippon Steel partnership.
www.npr.org
December 29, 2025 at 5:06 PM
This summer, we laid out a bold vision to address the child care crisis—partnering with @kedseconomist.com, @ehaspel.bsky.social, @kim.senate.gov and others—to show how care systems can better support workers, families, and communities. #RI2025 https://bit.ly/3L5hWKc
December 26, 2025 at 7:46 PM
This summer, we laid out a bold vision to address the child care crisis—partnering with @kedseconomist.com, @ehaspel.bsky.social, @kim.senate.gov and others—to show how care systems can better support workers, families, and communities. #RI2025 https://bit.ly/3L5hWKc
For too many Americans, economic security felt out of reach this year.
To reimagine an economic democracy that guarantees it for everyone, we convened 22 leading voices to offer a forward-looking vision for governance—one that gives people agency and dignity. #RI2025 https://bit.ly/456gk9L
To reimagine an economic democracy that guarantees it for everyone, we convened 22 leading voices to offer a forward-looking vision for governance—one that gives people agency and dignity. #RI2025 https://bit.ly/456gk9L
Restoring Economic Democracy: Progressive Ideas for Stability and Prosperity - Roosevelt Institute
Our vital task in the coming years is to prove that democracy can deliver, better and more quickly than any alternative. We must renew and create institutions that empower people and ensure the materi...
bit.ly
December 24, 2025 at 4:24 PM
For too many Americans, economic security felt out of reach this year.
To reimagine an economic democracy that guarantees it for everyone, we convened 22 leading voices to offer a forward-looking vision for governance—one that gives people agency and dignity. #RI2025 https://bit.ly/456gk9L
To reimagine an economic democracy that guarantees it for everyone, we convened 22 leading voices to offer a forward-looking vision for governance—one that gives people agency and dignity. #RI2025 https://bit.ly/456gk9L
What does a truly democratic government look like? This year, we released a major report drawing on 40+ interviews with former agency leaders to offer 161 recommendations for modern, accountable institutions that invite the public into the governing process. #RI2025 https://bit.ly/490iGYW
December 23, 2025 at 5:24 PM
What does a truly democratic government look like? This year, we released a major report drawing on 40+ interviews with former agency leaders to offer 161 recommendations for modern, accountable institutions that invite the public into the governing process. #RI2025 https://bit.ly/490iGYW
In 2025, we welcomed @elizabethwwilkins.bsky.social as President & CEO. In Democracy Journal, she made the case for investing in a bold #GoodLife vision—grounded in listening to people, confronting economic power, and using the tools of government to deliver results. #RI2025
https://bit.ly/4j4fC2Q
https://bit.ly/4j4fC2Q
December 22, 2025 at 8:50 PM
In 2025, we welcomed @elizabethwwilkins.bsky.social as President & CEO. In Democracy Journal, she made the case for investing in a bold #GoodLife vision—grounded in listening to people, confronting economic power, and using the tools of government to deliver results. #RI2025
https://bit.ly/4j4fC2Q
https://bit.ly/4j4fC2Q
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on a year of big challenges, but one that offered real opportunities for a people-powered vision of economic and democratic renewal for a #GoodLife for all.
We’ll be sharing highlights from our work throughout the rest of the year #RI2025
We’ll be sharing highlights from our work throughout the rest of the year #RI2025
December 22, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Reposted by Roosevelt Institute
Excellent piece by @sulliview.bsky.social in @theguardian.com. Grateful that she references our recent @rooseveltinstitute.org report on the media crises facing US democracy. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The tug-of-war over CNN shows how dysfunctional US media has become | Margaret Sullivan
The network’s fate has become a battle of corporate ownership, not a question of what benefits Americans
www.theguardian.com
December 20, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Excellent piece by @sulliview.bsky.social in @theguardian.com. Grateful that she references our recent @rooseveltinstitute.org report on the media crises facing US democracy. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#ICYMI: Our top stories
✅ Our year in review: An agenda for the people, not corporations
✅ How to prevent inequality using predistribution
✅ Notes on surveillance pricing, climate policy, and journalism and AI
More in the #RooseveltRundown ⬇️
https://bit.ly/3KVlGOs
✅ Our year in review: An agenda for the people, not corporations
✅ How to prevent inequality using predistribution
✅ Notes on surveillance pricing, climate policy, and journalism and AI
More in the #RooseveltRundown ⬇️
https://bit.ly/3KVlGOs
Next Year, the Fight for a Good Life Continues
Roosevelt Rundown: A Year in Review and an Agenda for the Future, Preventing Inequality Through Predistribution, What We’re Talking About, and What We’re Reading
rooseveltinstitute.org
December 20, 2025 at 12:01 AM
#ICYMI: Our top stories
✅ Our year in review: An agenda for the people, not corporations
✅ How to prevent inequality using predistribution
✅ Notes on surveillance pricing, climate policy, and journalism and AI
More in the #RooseveltRundown ⬇️
https://bit.ly/3KVlGOs
✅ Our year in review: An agenda for the people, not corporations
✅ How to prevent inequality using predistribution
✅ Notes on surveillance pricing, climate policy, and journalism and AI
More in the #RooseveltRundown ⬇️
https://bit.ly/3KVlGOs
Heading into 2026, GDP growth may not mean more jobs.
Economists surveyed by @bloomberg.com expect muted hiring as low-employment sectors like AI drive growth.
Our Fellow Michelle Holder cautions that Black workers could be hit hardest by continued unemployment. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Economists surveyed by @bloomberg.com expect muted hiring as low-employment sectors like AI drive growth.
Our Fellow Michelle Holder cautions that Black workers could be hit hardest by continued unemployment. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
December 19, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Heading into 2026, GDP growth may not mean more jobs.
Economists surveyed by @bloomberg.com expect muted hiring as low-employment sectors like AI drive growth.
Our Fellow Michelle Holder cautions that Black workers could be hit hardest by continued unemployment. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Economists surveyed by @bloomberg.com expect muted hiring as low-employment sectors like AI drive growth.
Our Fellow Michelle Holder cautions that Black workers could be hit hardest by continued unemployment. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The AWS outage proved what @elizabethwwilkins.bsky.social warns about in an essay on competition policy: Essential systems run by private giants need public-interest obligations, not just efficiency metrics.
Consolidation creates fragility.
Read more ➡️ bit.ly/3MLByDA #BestOf2025
Consolidation creates fragility.
Read more ➡️ bit.ly/3MLByDA #BestOf2025
December 19, 2025 at 12:35 AM
The AWS outage proved what @elizabethwwilkins.bsky.social warns about in an essay on competition policy: Essential systems run by private giants need public-interest obligations, not just efficiency metrics.
Consolidation creates fragility.
Read more ➡️ bit.ly/3MLByDA #BestOf2025
Consolidation creates fragility.
Read more ➡️ bit.ly/3MLByDA #BestOf2025
Thanks to a major investigation from @groundwork.bsky.social, @moreperfectunion.bsky.social, and @consumerreports.org, the FTC is reportedly probing Instacart’s AI pricing tool, which charged shoppers up to 23% more for the same items, in the same store, at the same time.
Exclusive: FTC probes Instacart's AI pricing tool, source says; shares drop
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is probing Instacart , two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, as the retail platform faces criticism over its artificial intelligence-driven pricing tool.
www.reuters.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Thanks to a major investigation from @groundwork.bsky.social, @moreperfectunion.bsky.social, and @consumerreports.org, the FTC is reportedly probing Instacart’s AI pricing tool, which charged shoppers up to 23% more for the same items, in the same store, at the same time.
Given the #AffordabilityCrisis, it’s no surprise that @lbilik.bsky.social’s feature on universal childcare in @usatoday.com made our #Bestof2025.
Check out our blog on New Mexico’s investment to support families and subsidize childcare.
🔗 rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/new-mex...
Check out our blog on New Mexico’s investment to support families and subsidize childcare.
🔗 rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/new-mex...
December 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Given the #AffordabilityCrisis, it’s no surprise that @lbilik.bsky.social’s feature on universal childcare in @usatoday.com made our #Bestof2025.
Check out our blog on New Mexico’s investment to support families and subsidize childcare.
🔗 rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/new-mex...
Check out our blog on New Mexico’s investment to support families and subsidize childcare.
🔗 rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/new-mex...
New inflation data dropped this morning. Our principal economist @mikemadowitz.bsky.social unpacks why the economy may be starting to show early signs of long-term strain ⬇️
1/It’s great to have data back—even if it’s a bit messy. We’re always happy to see family—esp @ the holidays ;). Hard to tie up 2025’s economy among all this, but let’s try 🧵https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cpi-report-november-2025-inflation-trump-tariffs/
December 18, 2025 at 3:13 PM
New inflation data dropped this morning. Our principal economist @mikemadowitz.bsky.social unpacks why the economy may be starting to show early signs of long-term strain ⬇️
Reposted by Roosevelt Institute
Thanks to the @freepress.bsky.social for having @bilalb.bsky.social & me for this Q&A discussion about our new @rooseveltinstitute.org report, where we explore the roots of the crises facing our media system & argue that we need to rethink our policy approach to this vital democratic infrastructure
“Decades of market-first policymaking has systematically eroded the media’s democratic function, leaving the press structurally vulnerable at precisely the moment independent journalism matters most.”
@bilalb.bsky.social @shahrzadshams.bsky.social of @rooseveltinstitute.org discuss a new report:
@bilalb.bsky.social @shahrzadshams.bsky.social of @rooseveltinstitute.org discuss a new report:
The Media Is Essential Democratic Infrastructure
‘The press matters because it is vital to the project of self-government.’
pressingissues.org
December 17, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Thanks to the @freepress.bsky.social for having @bilalb.bsky.social & me for this Q&A discussion about our new @rooseveltinstitute.org report, where we explore the roots of the crises facing our media system & argue that we need to rethink our policy approach to this vital democratic infrastructure