Steve Cicala
@stevecicala.bsky.social
Associate Professor
Tufts University Department of Economics
https://www.stevecicala.com
http://goingelectric.substack.com
Tufts University Department of Economics
https://www.stevecicala.com
http://goingelectric.substack.com
Pinned
Steve Cicala
@stevecicala.bsky.social
· Nov 7
Welcome to the new arrivals. Here's a starter pack of Energy/Environmental economists to get you going:
bsky.app/starter-pack...
bsky.app/starter-pack...
Reposted by Steve Cicala
Striking nativist editorializing by the federal judge who just upheld the $100,000 tax on high-skill immigrants.
She opines that it’s “troubling” that universities hire talent from abroad at all, instead of only native grads.
Then admits (!) that opinion is irrelevant (So why write it? Venting?)
She opines that it’s “troubling” that universities hire talent from abroad at all, instead of only native grads.
Then admits (!) that opinion is irrelevant (So why write it? Venting?)
December 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Striking nativist editorializing by the federal judge who just upheld the $100,000 tax on high-skill immigrants.
She opines that it’s “troubling” that universities hire talent from abroad at all, instead of only native grads.
Then admits (!) that opinion is irrelevant (So why write it? Venting?)
She opines that it’s “troubling” that universities hire talent from abroad at all, instead of only native grads.
Then admits (!) that opinion is irrelevant (So why write it? Venting?)
Reposted by Steve Cicala
In seriousness X is really bad and a lunatic controls the algorithm and people’s social temperature there. I do not understand why people keep using it.
December 24, 2025 at 4:04 PM
In seriousness X is really bad and a lunatic controls the algorithm and people’s social temperature there. I do not understand why people keep using it.
Reposted by Steve Cicala
LOL at Cory Booker putting the 60 Minutes story up on his YouTube channel. Paramount won't dare take it down
youtu.be/jiehEMlNiCI?...
youtu.be/jiehEMlNiCI?...
The 60 Minutes Story The Trump Administration Doesn't Want You To See
YouTube video by Cory Booker
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 2:41 AM
LOL at Cory Booker putting the 60 Minutes story up on his YouTube channel. Paramount won't dare take it down
youtu.be/jiehEMlNiCI?...
youtu.be/jiehEMlNiCI?...
If you can’t say, “That’s not a credible counterfactual” for analysis of policies you support, you’re just an advocate.
This analysis is on much firmer footing:
www.nber.org/papers/w33584
This analysis is on much firmer footing:
www.nber.org/papers/w33584
December 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
If you can’t say, “That’s not a credible counterfactual” for analysis of policies you support, you’re just an advocate.
This analysis is on much firmer footing:
www.nber.org/papers/w33584
This analysis is on much firmer footing:
www.nber.org/papers/w33584
Reposted by Steve Cicala
Bari Weiss has “a curiously narrow definition of free speech”—one in which free speech means whatever conservatives want to say, Adam Serwer argues.
December 23, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Bari Weiss has “a curiously narrow definition of free speech”—one in which free speech means whatever conservatives want to say, Adam Serwer argues.
Reposted by Steve Cicala
This is not even remotely acceptable, and it is time that EU leaders stop pretending that the US is an ally. Or that kow-towing to it on trade or other issues will produce results.
www.ft.com/content/8c0e...
www.ft.com/content/8c0e...
Trump’s new special envoy says Greenland should be part of US
Jeff Landry’s appointment underlines US president’s determination to control Arctic island, but outrages Denmark
www.ft.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:51 PM
This is not even remotely acceptable, and it is time that EU leaders stop pretending that the US is an ally. Or that kow-towing to it on trade or other issues will produce results.
www.ft.com/content/8c0e...
www.ft.com/content/8c0e...
It’s just mind boggling that the US is letting the Russians pick its negotiating team and requiring they go unaided. And the US response is, “Sure, you’ve done psych profiles and know who would do your bidding. Here you go!”
I can’t even think of a comparison to parody it.
I can’t even think of a comparison to parody it.
Putin personally chose Steve Witkoff as a key backchannel to the U.S., per WSJ. The Kremlin’s outreach came via Saudi Crown Prince MBS, who relayed Putin’s interest in meeting Witkoff. After vetting Trump’s circle, Moscow settled on him, with aide Kirill Dmitriev involved in the effort.
December 21, 2025 at 10:31 AM
It’s just mind boggling that the US is letting the Russians pick its negotiating team and requiring they go unaided. And the US response is, “Sure, you’ve done psych profiles and know who would do your bidding. Here you go!”
I can’t even think of a comparison to parody it.
I can’t even think of a comparison to parody it.
Reposted by Steve Cicala
Journal article: “the data are available on request”
The data:
The data:
December 20, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Journal article: “the data are available on request”
The data:
The data:
Sounds like someone leaked the IEEPA decision to the White House.
December 18, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Sounds like someone leaked the IEEPA decision to the White House.
Reposted by Steve Cicala
🔵Coming up this Thursday!
Join us on December 18 at the 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 with @stevecicala.bsky.social (@tufts.edu), who will present “Adverse Selection as a Policy Instrument: Unraveling Climate Change”
🔗 www.stevecicala.com
📄 www.stevecicala.com/papers/unrav...
#EconSky
Join us on December 18 at the 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 with @stevecicala.bsky.social (@tufts.edu), who will present “Adverse Selection as a Policy Instrument: Unraveling Climate Change”
🔗 www.stevecicala.com
📄 www.stevecicala.com/papers/unrav...
#EconSky
December 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM
🔵Coming up this Thursday!
Join us on December 18 at the 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 with @stevecicala.bsky.social (@tufts.edu), who will present “Adverse Selection as a Policy Instrument: Unraveling Climate Change”
🔗 www.stevecicala.com
📄 www.stevecicala.com/papers/unrav...
#EconSky
Join us on December 18 at the 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 with @stevecicala.bsky.social (@tufts.edu), who will present “Adverse Selection as a Policy Instrument: Unraveling Climate Change”
🔗 www.stevecicala.com
📄 www.stevecicala.com/papers/unrav...
#EconSky
The US is bullying Europe around on climate and data protection because it thinks it can.
I’m hoping they stiffen their spines and insist on their sovereignty. It will only get worse otherwise.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/c...
I’m hoping they stiffen their spines and insist on their sovereignty. It will only get worse otherwise.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/c...
U.S. Is Seeking Exemption From a European Climate Law, Officials Say
www.nytimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:53 PM
The US is bullying Europe around on climate and data protection because it thinks it can.
I’m hoping they stiffen their spines and insist on their sovereignty. It will only get worse otherwise.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/c...
I’m hoping they stiffen their spines and insist on their sovereignty. It will only get worse otherwise.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/c...
Reposted by Steve Cicala
This long-term thread will collect stories about Germany's absurd, over-lawyered and court-heavy bureaucracy following my Free Exchange column this week. www.economist.com/finance-and-...
Germany has a lawyer problem
Its endless bureaucratic rules trap would-be reformers
www.economist.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:45 AM
This long-term thread will collect stories about Germany's absurd, over-lawyered and court-heavy bureaucracy following my Free Exchange column this week. www.economist.com/finance-and-...
Reposted by Steve Cicala
You can’t “fix” X, The Everything App by going back and posting there because the owner has this thumb on the scale of the algorithm to promote the worst ideas and people. It’s not a viable solution, you have to let it go.
Dear Bluesky liberals. Come back to Twitter. Please. PLEASE.
December 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM
You can’t “fix” X, The Everything App by going back and posting there because the owner has this thumb on the scale of the algorithm to promote the worst ideas and people. It’s not a viable solution, you have to let it go.
More of a kneecapping than a shot in the arm.
The US and EU must look nostalgically at Havana's streets as they're doing their best to imitate them.
The US and EU must look nostalgically at Havana's streets as they're doing their best to imitate them.
The move is the result of intense lobbying from companies such as Stellantis and Mercedes-Benz, which sought to ease the risk of fines that could have exceeded €1 billion ($1.2 billion) in the coming years.
Europe Tries to Buy Time for Car Industry Stuck in the Present
Europe’s embattled automakers are set to get a breather as they struggle with the transition to emission-free driving, a critical moment that will shape the future of the continent’s transport sector for better or worse.
bloom.bg
December 13, 2025 at 12:59 PM
More of a kneecapping than a shot in the arm.
The US and EU must look nostalgically at Havana's streets as they're doing their best to imitate them.
The US and EU must look nostalgically at Havana's streets as they're doing their best to imitate them.
Reposted by Steve Cicala
Democrats should commit now to not recognizing any pardons issued in advance of charges. Tell Trump administration officials that preemptive pardons will not be honored by a future Democratic administration and that criminals will be arrested.
"Trump Is Already Discussing Preemptive Pardons For His Lawless Administration"
The revelation comes as Pete Hegseth faces scrutiny for a possible war crime, and as a judge pursues a contempt inquiry into the defiance of his order.
Read/share/subscribe:
The revelation comes as Pete Hegseth faces scrutiny for a possible war crime, and as a judge pursues a contempt inquiry into the defiance of his order.
Read/share/subscribe:
Trump Is Already Discussing Preemptive Pardons For His Lawless Administration
The revelation comes as Pete Hegseth faces scrutiny for a possible war crime, and as a judge pursues a contempt inquiry into the defiance of his order.
zeteo.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Democrats should commit now to not recognizing any pardons issued in advance of charges. Tell Trump administration officials that preemptive pardons will not be honored by a future Democratic administration and that criminals will be arrested.
Reposted by Steve Cicala
In terms of US politics, Bush v. Gore is the defining event of the century. It set the template: a ruthless right that instinctively seeks power & doesn't give a shit about rule of law...and a bunch of hapless, feckless octogenarian Dems worried about the good opinion of centrist opinion columnists.
The 25th anniversary of Bush v Gore is today. The conspiracy mongering & corruption of the GOP has been brewing for a long time.
Roberts, Barrett and Kavanaugh were all on Bush's legal team, where they pushed unfounded legal theories. SC justices were already enmeshed in voter fraud myths.
Roberts, Barrett and Kavanaugh were all on Bush's legal team, where they pushed unfounded legal theories. SC justices were already enmeshed in voter fraud myths.
Here's Sandra Day O'Connor endorsing News Max levels of voter fraud conspiracies in the 2000 election.
December 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
In terms of US politics, Bush v. Gore is the defining event of the century. It set the template: a ruthless right that instinctively seeks power & doesn't give a shit about rule of law...and a bunch of hapless, feckless octogenarian Dems worried about the good opinion of centrist opinion columnists.
Reposted by Steve Cicala
It's important to keep benchmarking these G7 announcements about "major" investments in research funding. The amounts of money going into supposedly poaching 🇺🇸 scholars/replacing 🇺🇸 research $ are & totally on the margin of what real initiatives would look like.
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
This is approximately the R&D spending of UC Davis in one (1) calendar year
Canada’s new government is investing big to attract world-class talent in science and technology — and become an innovation powerhouse.
December 12, 2025 at 9:09 AM
It's important to keep benchmarking these G7 announcements about "major" investments in research funding. The amounts of money going into supposedly poaching 🇺🇸 scholars/replacing 🇺🇸 research $ are & totally on the margin of what real initiatives would look like.
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
And the US National Security Strategy should be countered with the EU declaring the imperative to separate New York and California from the Union.
December 11, 2025 at 12:36 PM
And the US National Security Strategy should be countered with the EU declaring the imperative to separate New York and California from the Union.
Reposted by Steve Cicala
A loss to us all and to the progress of Economics.
The brilliant Kate Ho has passed away.
She was an amazing economist and a genuinely kind human being. Her work shaped how we think about healthcare markets and her generosity touched everyone lucky enough to know her.
The profession and the world are poorer without her.
She was an amazing economist and a genuinely kind human being. Her work shaped how we think about healthcare markets and her generosity touched everyone lucky enough to know her.
The profession and the world are poorer without her.
December 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
A loss to us all and to the progress of Economics.
Reposted by Steve Cicala
We are having the wrong debate, says Zack Cooper of @yalesph.bsky.social
We need to talk about not *just* subsidies, but more importantly WHY & HOW American healthcare is so expensive.
And he has a list of things we could do today …
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/o...
We need to talk about not *just* subsidies, but more importantly WHY & HOW American healthcare is so expensive.
And he has a list of things we could do today …
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/o...
Opinion | $27,000 a Year for Health Insurance. How Can We Afford That?
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:46 PM
We are having the wrong debate, says Zack Cooper of @yalesph.bsky.social
We need to talk about not *just* subsidies, but more importantly WHY & HOW American healthcare is so expensive.
And he has a list of things we could do today …
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/o...
We need to talk about not *just* subsidies, but more importantly WHY & HOW American healthcare is so expensive.
And he has a list of things we could do today …
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/o...
Reposted by Steve Cicala
Very interesting project by @bruegel.org here. Remarkable differences still in market value across Europe.
We launched our @bruegel.org EU Renewables Value Tracker based on great work by @mariejuge.bsky.social & @aroth.bsky.social:
www.bruegel.org/dataset/eu-renewables-value-track
Five insights 🧵:
1) The value of additional solar plants in south-east Europe and particularly Italy is still very high.
www.bruegel.org/dataset/eu-renewables-value-track
Five insights 🧵:
1) The value of additional solar plants in south-east Europe and particularly Italy is still very high.
December 9, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Very interesting project by @bruegel.org here. Remarkable differences still in market value across Europe.
Reposted by Steve Cicala
Inside every prestigious jurist of a certain age lies a septuagenarian radicalized by Facebook memes shared by the MAGAEaglePatriot1776 account.
December 5, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Inside every prestigious jurist of a certain age lies a septuagenarian radicalized by Facebook memes shared by the MAGAEaglePatriot1776 account.
And the FIFA Prize in Medicine goes to…
Hey, quick question about this photo from Epstein's island: What the fuck
December 5, 2025 at 7:39 PM
And the FIFA Prize in Medicine goes to…
Again, deterrence is the key:
Democrats should be out there saying that cars that do not meet pre-Trump fuel standards will taken off the road in the next admin.
Carmakers make long-term decisions.
goingelectric.substack.com/p/where-is-t...
Democrats should be out there saying that cars that do not meet pre-Trump fuel standards will taken off the road in the next admin.
Carmakers make long-term decisions.
goingelectric.substack.com/p/where-is-t...
December 4, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Again, deterrence is the key:
Democrats should be out there saying that cars that do not meet pre-Trump fuel standards will taken off the road in the next admin.
Carmakers make long-term decisions.
goingelectric.substack.com/p/where-is-t...
Democrats should be out there saying that cars that do not meet pre-Trump fuel standards will taken off the road in the next admin.
Carmakers make long-term decisions.
goingelectric.substack.com/p/where-is-t...