Jim Wetzler
@jwetzler.bsky.social
Tax wonk. Former Chief Economist of the Joint Committee on Taxation and New York State Tax Commissioner
Trump’s destruction of the IRS continues with the spiking of the Donald Korb nomination as Chief Counsel just before his expected confirmation. I suppose Trump’s nomination of a qualified person was too good to be true.
November 14, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Trump’s destruction of the IRS continues with the spiking of the Donald Korb nomination as Chief Counsel just before his expected confirmation. I suppose Trump’s nomination of a qualified person was too good to be true.
Reposted by Jim Wetzler
My latest on how easy it is to confuse who is really doing what in Congress. Issuing praise or retribution without knowing what is going on just makes matters worse.
Balkinization: The Perils of Superficial Political Analysis share.google/YzYODgos1Uhz...
Balkinization: The Perils of Superficial Political Analysis share.google/YzYODgos1Uhz...
The Perils of Superficial Political Analysis
In the wake of the Democratic capitulation to end the government shutdown, activists and commentators called for retribution against th...
share.google
November 14, 2025 at 2:13 PM
My latest on how easy it is to confuse who is really doing what in Congress. Issuing praise or retribution without knowing what is going on just makes matters worse.
Balkinization: The Perils of Superficial Political Analysis share.google/YzYODgos1Uhz...
Balkinization: The Perils of Superficial Political Analysis share.google/YzYODgos1Uhz...
Reposted by Jim Wetzler
OK this is amazing.
Trump’s Truth Social has its own AI search tool, which company debuted a month after Trump signed an exec order to end use of “Woke AI” in federal government.
Here's how it responds to questions about tariffs, who won 2020 election, Jan 6, etc:
www.thebulwark.com/p/pardon-the...
Trump’s Truth Social has its own AI search tool, which company debuted a month after Trump signed an exec order to end use of “Woke AI” in federal government.
Here's how it responds to questions about tariffs, who won 2020 election, Jan 6, etc:
www.thebulwark.com/p/pardon-the...
November 11, 2025 at 3:24 PM
OK this is amazing.
Trump’s Truth Social has its own AI search tool, which company debuted a month after Trump signed an exec order to end use of “Woke AI” in federal government.
Here's how it responds to questions about tariffs, who won 2020 election, Jan 6, etc:
www.thebulwark.com/p/pardon-the...
Trump’s Truth Social has its own AI search tool, which company debuted a month after Trump signed an exec order to end use of “Woke AI” in federal government.
Here's how it responds to questions about tariffs, who won 2020 election, Jan 6, etc:
www.thebulwark.com/p/pardon-the...
Congratulations to Dean Fuleihan on being appointed NYC first deputy mayor. Great choice.
November 10, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Congratulations to Dean Fuleihan on being appointed NYC first deputy mayor. Great choice.
My take on Mamdani is that he’s another DeBlasio with four advantages. More charisma. Better work ethic. Won’t run for President. Can learn from DeBlasio’s mistakes. No need to panic.
November 5, 2025 at 6:35 PM
My take on Mamdani is that he’s another DeBlasio with four advantages. More charisma. Better work ethic. Won’t run for President. Can learn from DeBlasio’s mistakes. No need to panic.
Imagine Elise Stefanik is giving some thought about foregoing a run for NY Governor after seeing the NJ result. She can run for her House seat, probably win, and maneuver to become House Minority Leader after the R’s dump Mike Johnson.
November 5, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Imagine Elise Stefanik is giving some thought about foregoing a run for NY Governor after seeing the NJ result. She can run for her House seat, probably win, and maneuver to become House Minority Leader after the R’s dump Mike Johnson.
Be interesting to see if the Republicans abandon their gerrymandering strategy after they see the results of the Virginia House races. With those margins, the gerrymandering backfires.
November 5, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Be interesting to see if the Republicans abandon their gerrymandering strategy after they see the results of the Virginia House races. With those margins, the gerrymandering backfires.
Reposted by Jim Wetzler
Trump's mechanism to pay the troops during the shutdown is by far the most illegal budgetary action he's taken as POTUS, potentially setting the stage to break everything.
It's also needless because Congress would easily pass a troop pay bill if Johnson were willing to gavel in.
Long thread.
It's also needless because Congress would easily pass a troop pay bill if Johnson were willing to gavel in.
Long thread.
October 15, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Trump's mechanism to pay the troops during the shutdown is by far the most illegal budgetary action he's taken as POTUS, potentially setting the stage to break everything.
It's also needless because Congress would easily pass a troop pay bill if Johnson were willing to gavel in.
Long thread.
It's also needless because Congress would easily pass a troop pay bill if Johnson were willing to gavel in.
Long thread.
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers used endorsement deal to ‘circumvent’ NBA salary cap: Report
Looks like the NBA and the teams will have to hire transfer pricing specialists. More employment for economists.
Looks like the NBA and the teams will have to hire transfer pricing specialists. More employment for economists.
September 3, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers used endorsement deal to ‘circumvent’ NBA salary cap: Report
Looks like the NBA and the teams will have to hire transfer pricing specialists. More employment for economists.
Looks like the NBA and the teams will have to hire transfer pricing specialists. More employment for economists.
What’s the remedy if tariffs are declared illegal? Do the businesses that paid get refunds? Do the in turn have to find to their customers?
August 30, 2025 at 7:37 PM
What’s the remedy if tariffs are declared illegal? Do the businesses that paid get refunds? Do the in turn have to find to their customers?
So Trump wants the gov’t to take more equity ownership of private corporations. Is the problem that we provide too much corporate welfare or that Trump wants us to get some equity in exchange for the corporate welfare? I suspect the former.
August 25, 2025 at 6:28 PM
So Trump wants the gov’t to take more equity ownership of private corporations. Is the problem that we provide too much corporate welfare or that Trump wants us to get some equity in exchange for the corporate welfare? I suspect the former.
Not sure I share the widespread concern over the Intel deal. The gov’t already committed to provide subsidies for plants to build chips for which there is no demand. Makes more sense to use the money as an equity investment to establish Intel’s technological advancement.
August 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Not sure I share the widespread concern over the Intel deal. The gov’t already committed to provide subsidies for plants to build chips for which there is no demand. Makes more sense to use the money as an equity investment to establish Intel’s technological advancement.
Let’s not forget that BLS also does the CPI. So if they start corrupting the data to show less inflation, that will mean lower social security benefits and higher income taxes, both of which are indexed to CPI, as well as less interest on TIPS.
August 1, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Let’s not forget that BLS also does the CPI. So if they start corrupting the data to show less inflation, that will mean lower social security benefits and higher income taxes, both of which are indexed to CPI, as well as less interest on TIPS.
Catherine Rampell has been the best economic journalist. For example, she was an early proponent of the view that Biden was neglecting inflation. Her leaving the Washington Post, while not surprising in light of Bezos’s right turn, is a real shame.
July 23, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Catherine Rampell has been the best economic journalist. For example, she was an early proponent of the view that Biden was neglecting inflation. Her leaving the Washington Post, while not surprising in light of Bezos’s right turn, is a real shame.
He Helped Big Companies Dodge Taxes. Now He’s Writing the Rules. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/b...
Ken Kies is far more competent than the typical Trump Administration appointee. Trump has also appointed a competent IRS Chief Counsel. Let’s give them a chance.
Ken Kies is far more competent than the typical Trump Administration appointee. Trump has also appointed a competent IRS Chief Counsel. Let’s give them a chance.
He Helped Big Companies Dodge Taxes. Now He’s Writing the Rules.
www.nytimes.com
July 15, 2025 at 12:16 PM
He Helped Big Companies Dodge Taxes. Now He’s Writing the Rules. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/b...
Ken Kies is far more competent than the typical Trump Administration appointee. Trump has also appointed a competent IRS Chief Counsel. Let’s give them a chance.
Ken Kies is far more competent than the typical Trump Administration appointee. Trump has also appointed a competent IRS Chief Counsel. Let’s give them a chance.
Trump’s problem with the Fed isn’t a dispute with Powell about whether the economy needs stimulus. He needs lower interest payments on the national debt to convince the fiscal hawks in his party to lay off the unpopular spending cuts. A monetary policy of fiscal dominance would be a disaster.
June 25, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Trump’s problem with the Fed isn’t a dispute with Powell about whether the economy needs stimulus. He needs lower interest payments on the national debt to convince the fiscal hawks in his party to lay off the unpopular spending cuts. A monetary policy of fiscal dominance would be a disaster.
Reposted by Jim Wetzler
I got a mailing last week for my Council district with his name on it, and that sealed the fate of my RCV ballot to not rank any of the candidates he's supporting: bsky.app/profile/srom...
Got a mailer from a PAC trying to influence NYC Council District 4 primary voters (mailing doesn’t mention the district, but includes photos/names of 3 Dist 4 candidates). Top donor to the PAC is Bill Ackman. Surefire way to remind me not to rank *any* of those (his) candidates.
June 18, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I got a mailing last week for my Council district with his name on it, and that sealed the fate of my RCV ballot to not rank any of the candidates he's supporting: bsky.app/profile/srom...
Reposted by Jim Wetzler
Early voting starts today. Before you vote, ask yourself what kind of Democrat you want: one who has spent the last 8 years tirelessly fighting against America's authoritarian backsliding, or one from the MAGA PAC's "anyone but Ben" list. Polls open 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.
June 14, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Early voting starts today. Before you vote, ask yourself what kind of Democrat you want: one who has spent the last 8 years tirelessly fighting against America's authoritarian backsliding, or one from the MAGA PAC's "anyone but Ben" list. Polls open 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.
Reposted by Jim Wetzler
In #CD4 in Manhattan, I am endorsing Ben Wetzler (@voteben.nyc) and not just because his niece and my daughter are friends. Ben is a strong pro-development voice who wants a better outdoor dining program and the busway on 34th Street. This is an open seat. He faces Carolyn Maloney's daughter.
June 13, 2025 at 8:15 PM
In #CD4 in Manhattan, I am endorsing Ben Wetzler (@voteben.nyc) and not just because his niece and my daughter are friends. Ben is a strong pro-development voice who wants a better outdoor dining program and the busway on 34th Street. This is an open seat. He faces Carolyn Maloney's daughter.
Early voting starts tomorrow in NYC’s Democratic primary. If you live on the East Side of Manhattan, please vote for my nephew Ben Wetzler for City Council. Easily the most qualified candidate. He’ll be a great representative for the district.
June 13, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Early voting starts tomorrow in NYC’s Democratic primary. If you live on the East Side of Manhattan, please vote for my nephew Ben Wetzler for City Council. Easily the most qualified candidate. He’ll be a great representative for the district.
Reposted by Jim Wetzler
Cool thing to happen. MAGA billionaire intentionally telling people *not* to vote for you.
June 12, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Cool thing to happen. MAGA billionaire intentionally telling people *not* to vote for you.
Reposted by Jim Wetzler
Really proud to have your support. Let's win this!
We're excited today to announce our endorsements for Comptroller, three Borough Presidencies, and 15 City Council seats today. You can read all about them here: www.streetspac.org/2025_comptro...
June 11, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Really proud to have your support. Let's win this!
Mourning the loss of Charlie Rangel, a great Member and ultimately Chair of the House Ways & Means Committee. He was dedicated to making the tax system work for poor people, and I did annual studies for him on the tax burdens facing the poor.
May 26, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Mourning the loss of Charlie Rangel, a great Member and ultimately Chair of the House Ways & Means Committee. He was dedicated to making the tax system work for poor people, and I did annual studies for him on the tax burdens facing the poor.
Reposted by Jim Wetzler
This proposal is atrocious, will save the City no money, and completely disincentivizes voucher recipients from holding down jobs. If it's still in effect when I take office, I will introduce legislation to reverse it on my first day.
May 21, 2025 at 11:35 AM
This proposal is atrocious, will save the City no money, and completely disincentivizes voucher recipients from holding down jobs. If it's still in effect when I take office, I will introduce legislation to reverse it on my first day.