Eric van der Vort
@ericibid.bsky.social
Political scientist working in state government and public history.
Knows about: social movements, courts/conlaw, climate; also, pollinator policy... somehow?
Urbanist. YIMBY. Improviser. My ideology: don't hurt people. Opinions mine, maybe yours.
🏳️🌈✡️
Knows about: social movements, courts/conlaw, climate; also, pollinator policy... somehow?
Urbanist. YIMBY. Improviser. My ideology: don't hurt people. Opinions mine, maybe yours.
🏳️🌈✡️
The next CDC director will have a PhD in folklore. Their research will largely have focused on essential oils and homeopathic cures.
August 28, 2025 at 12:37 PM
The next CDC director will have a PhD in folklore. Their research will largely have focused on essential oils and homeopathic cures.
This is correct.
My NYC election hot take (from 4 hours away) is that the rent is too damn high, owning a house is too hard, and that is a winning issue in any election in the USA right now where young people exist.
The establishment commentariat, all property owners, is materially divided from the electorate.
The establishment commentariat, all property owners, is materially divided from the electorate.
June 25, 2025 at 2:42 PM
This is correct.
Who wants to hear me babble about the political development of social movements and how this proves my point that I need to write this damn article already? No one? Okay.
There has been dramatically more protest activity against Trump in his second term compared to this point in his first term.
Yesterday's No Kings Day rallies across America mean the number of individual protesters could be higher now, too.
Trump's weak.
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/no-kings-d...
Yesterday's No Kings Day rallies across America mean the number of individual protesters could be higher now, too.
Trump's weak.
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/no-kings-d...
June 15, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Who wants to hear me babble about the political development of social movements and how this proves my point that I need to write this damn article already? No one? Okay.
Reposted by Eric van der Vort
Proud to pass my Sustainable Housing and Sprawl Prevention Act, a major step to align our housing permitting process with our environmental and affordability goals. This bill will help build affordable housing, reduce harmful emissions, and build walkable, transit-friendly communities!
June 12, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Proud to pass my Sustainable Housing and Sprawl Prevention Act, a major step to align our housing permitting process with our environmental and affordability goals. This bill will help build affordable housing, reduce harmful emissions, and build walkable, transit-friendly communities!
Rewater the Canal! Build green space around it.
Everyone is talking about it.
Everyone is talking about it.
January 24, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Rewater the Canal! Build green space around it.
Everyone is talking about it.
Everyone is talking about it.
King and Smith ‘05 would like a word.
Is anyone going to write a new "how Trump fits into Skowronek's typology" op-ed in the coming weeks? Asking for someone with a TBD spot on my syllabus...
January 20, 2025 at 6:28 PM
King and Smith ‘05 would like a word.
Sometimes a question comes up at work you just can't answer.
Like, say... can you REALLY reuse vinyl siding?
How do you answer that question quickly and with 100% certainty that it's more or less correct?
Find the collective wisdom of the appropriate subreddit.
Thanks r/HomeImprovement!
Like, say... can you REALLY reuse vinyl siding?
How do you answer that question quickly and with 100% certainty that it's more or less correct?
Find the collective wisdom of the appropriate subreddit.
Thanks r/HomeImprovement!
January 16, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Sometimes a question comes up at work you just can't answer.
Like, say... can you REALLY reuse vinyl siding?
How do you answer that question quickly and with 100% certainty that it's more or less correct?
Find the collective wisdom of the appropriate subreddit.
Thanks r/HomeImprovement!
Like, say... can you REALLY reuse vinyl siding?
How do you answer that question quickly and with 100% certainty that it's more or less correct?
Find the collective wisdom of the appropriate subreddit.
Thanks r/HomeImprovement!
Don't you dare turn your eyes away from history, even the awful, scary parts. If you don't watch it with your own eyes, you rely on others to tell you what you saw. We must all bear witness to what's coming.
January 15, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Don't you dare turn your eyes away from history, even the awful, scary parts. If you don't watch it with your own eyes, you rely on others to tell you what you saw. We must all bear witness to what's coming.
Reposted by Eric van der Vort
For years, AM Anna Kelles and I have led the fight for public broadband here in the Empire State. We are thrilled to see Governor Hochul propose the Excelsior Broadband Network, to provide new infrastructure to improve high speed internet and cell service across the state.
January 15, 2025 at 2:50 PM
For years, AM Anna Kelles and I have led the fight for public broadband here in the Empire State. We are thrilled to see Governor Hochul propose the Excelsior Broadband Network, to provide new infrastructure to improve high speed internet and cell service across the state.
No better way to build the bench, turn the tide a bit, and actually have a real impact. Give some money for these mayoral races. Then figure out what local races you can support. And if no one’s running for a winnable office you are eligible for… tag, you’re it!
Its important to support organizing efforts in the crucial cities and counties where we can build power at the local level. Ten mayorships held by Republicans are on the ballot in 2025 -- join me in supporting the local organizers who can flip these seats.
secure.actblue.com/donate/jrsli...
secure.actblue.com/donate/jrsli...
America's cities are on the ballot in 2025!
Show your support with a contribution.
secure.actblue.com
January 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM
No better way to build the bench, turn the tide a bit, and actually have a real impact. Give some money for these mayoral races. Then figure out what local races you can support. And if no one’s running for a winnable office you are eligible for… tag, you’re it!
These continued attack on the Kinsey Institute are so bad-faith and silly. God forbid we should have a full and comprehensive view of human sexuality -- but that's the point for these people. www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/e...
Lawmakers want Indiana University to be defunded over Kinsey Institute
Almost a year after IU pursued "accounting solutions" to keep the Kinsey Institute on campus, state officials say IU is still violating state law.
www.heraldtimesonline.com
January 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
These continued attack on the Kinsey Institute are so bad-faith and silly. God forbid we should have a full and comprehensive view of human sexuality -- but that's the point for these people. www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/e...
I’ll just let Joan Rivers say what needs saying about Anita Bryant, of cursed memory.
January 10, 2025 at 2:29 PM
I’ll just let Joan Rivers say what needs saying about Anita Bryant, of cursed memory.
Reposted by Eric van der Vort
With the new session comes a new chair: Consumer Protection! Chairing the Cities 2 or, as I often call it, the Committee on Upstate Cities has been a privilege. I’m grateful to the Majority Leader for this new chance to help protect all New York consumers from greed and grift.
January 9, 2025 at 4:16 PM
With the new session comes a new chair: Consumer Protection! Chairing the Cities 2 or, as I often call it, the Committee on Upstate Cities has been a privilege. I’m grateful to the Majority Leader for this new chance to help protect all New York consumers from greed and grift.
This is the correct take.
I’ll go farther: fact checks don’t even matter, most of the time. People will just dismiss them. They are performative.
People 1) need to be equipped with better media literacy and 2) can be persuaded by trusted sources.
Facebook fact checkers are not trusted sources.
I’ll go farther: fact checks don’t even matter, most of the time. People will just dismiss them. They are performative.
People 1) need to be equipped with better media literacy and 2) can be persuaded by trusted sources.
Facebook fact checkers are not trusted sources.
January 7, 2025 at 2:39 PM
This is the correct take.
I’ll go farther: fact checks don’t even matter, most of the time. People will just dismiss them. They are performative.
People 1) need to be equipped with better media literacy and 2) can be persuaded by trusted sources.
Facebook fact checkers are not trusted sources.
I’ll go farther: fact checks don’t even matter, most of the time. People will just dismiss them. They are performative.
People 1) need to be equipped with better media literacy and 2) can be persuaded by trusted sources.
Facebook fact checkers are not trusted sources.
@sgadarian.bsky.social JUST NOW you follow me?!
January 6, 2025 at 8:50 PM
@sgadarian.bsky.social JUST NOW you follow me?!
Happy Erev Congestion Pricing to all who celebrate!
January 4, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Happy Erev Congestion Pricing to all who celebrate!
I think one of the things people don't always get about working in legislative politics is that, despite headlines, so much of the work is not flashy or high-profile. I'm working on introducing a bunch of bills for the start of session in NY. Here's a partial list. Much of it is pretty mundane!
January 3, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I think one of the things people don't always get about working in legislative politics is that, despite headlines, so much of the work is not flashy or high-profile. I'm working on introducing a bunch of bills for the start of session in NY. Here's a partial list. Much of it is pretty mundane!
Used to be the case that the US Supreme Court was once widely cited as a guiding voice on broad questions of law and jurisprudence, even in civil law jurisdictions.
That’s declined in recent years in favor of other constitutional courts.
Now this.
That’s declined in recent years in favor of other constitutional courts.
Now this.
"Yoon's team claims immunity from insurrection charges, citing Trump ruling"
Yoon's team claims immunity from insurrection charges, citing Trump ruling | Yonhap News Agency
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- The legal team of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol claimed Frid...
m-en.yna.co.kr
January 3, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Used to be the case that the US Supreme Court was once widely cited as a guiding voice on broad questions of law and jurisprudence, even in civil law jurisdictions.
That’s declined in recent years in favor of other constitutional courts.
Now this.
That’s declined in recent years in favor of other constitutional courts.
Now this.
When I tell you how quickly I threw my credit card at Yale Press.
James Scott completed his final book, In Praise of Floods: The Untamed River and the Life It Brings, just prior to his passing last year. It comes out on February 25, 2025 and is now available for pre-order. yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
In Praise of Floods
James C. Scott reframes rivers as alive and dynamic, revealing the consequences of treating them as resources for our profit Rivers, on a long view, are a...
yalebooks.yale.edu
January 3, 2025 at 1:37 PM
When I tell you how quickly I threw my credit card at Yale Press.
Would totally give like $5 a month to a podcast that did episode by episode breakdowns of the greatest cartoon ever made:
January 3, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Would totally give like $5 a month to a podcast that did episode by episode breakdowns of the greatest cartoon ever made:
Reposted by Eric van der Vort
New report finds: "The Inflation Reduction Act could deliver over $2.7 trillion in net benefits from 2025 to 2035, against $656 billion in costs."
The IRA will deliver a fourfold return on taxpayer investment, says ACP
The Inflation Reduction Act could generate $2.7 trillion in U.S. economic benefits from 2025 to 2035, says a report commissioned by the American Clean Power Association.
www.utilitydive.com
January 2, 2025 at 7:12 PM
New report finds: "The Inflation Reduction Act could deliver over $2.7 trillion in net benefits from 2025 to 2035, against $656 billion in costs."
Let some bird-related "yes and!" cleanse your timeline:
I’m a regular at this coffee shop. my baristas asked me what I was up to and I said “drawing a bird like always” which led to me jokingly suggest they have a bird drawing competition and I can be the judge. when I came back they’d actually done it
January 2, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Let some bird-related "yes and!" cleanse your timeline:
I started actively doing this a few years ago. Eye contact and some nodding is all it takes! Guarantee every so often, someone will come up after they're done speaking and thank you.
This year, be the nodder in the audience every presenter deserves
January 2, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I started actively doing this a few years ago. Eye contact and some nodding is all it takes! Guarantee every so often, someone will come up after they're done speaking and thank you.
Really glad to see this bill get signed. One law at a time, we'll improve New York's outdoors policies! www.morningagclips.com/senator-rach...
Senator Rachel May’s Bill to Increase Native Seed Supply in New York Signed by Governor Hochul
ALBANY -- Senator Rachel May’s (Syracuse, Cayuga County) bill (S7849), which will boost native seed supply and spur much-needed native plant growth across New York,...
www.morningagclips.com
January 1, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Really glad to see this bill get signed. One law at a time, we'll improve New York's outdoors policies! www.morningagclips.com/senator-rach...
[historian at a singles event]
Wow, baby, are you the Bronze Age Collapse?
'cause no one can really explain why I'm falling for you.
Wow, baby, are you the Bronze Age Collapse?
'cause no one can really explain why I'm falling for you.
December 29, 2024 at 4:44 PM
[historian at a singles event]
Wow, baby, are you the Bronze Age Collapse?
'cause no one can really explain why I'm falling for you.
Wow, baby, are you the Bronze Age Collapse?
'cause no one can really explain why I'm falling for you.