Christian Weller
@profcew.bsky.social
Economist at UMass Boston and Center for American Progress; focus on racial wealth inequality, retirement savings and economic policy. Center on data driven policy development. Skeets are all my own opinions.
Trump is really stepping up the populist brand today, fighting for working families.
November 11, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Trump is really stepping up the populist brand today, fighting for working families.
Paperwork burden, stigma and stress are common for SNAP and increase food insecurity. Many (most) recipients are children, disabled or older, while many already work, if they can. Not letting people go hungry should be a fundamental function of government.
It is incredible — the blind spots you develop when you’ve never, ever been poor.
Trump claims that food stamps "puts the country in jeopardy. People that are able-bodied can do a job, they leave their job because they figure they can pick this up, it's easier."
November 11, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Paperwork burden, stigma and stress are common for SNAP and increase food insecurity. Many (most) recipients are children, disabled or older, while many already work, if they can. Not letting people go hungry should be a fundamental function of government.
Nooooooooooooo
November 10, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Nooooooooooooo
Reposted by Christian Weller
This work is so important, especially in the context of how modestly (if at all) outreach efforts improve retention.
Also important: the work requirements that need to be implemented by the end of next year may prove much harder to automate than standard eligibility redeterminations
Also important: the work requirements that need to be implemented by the end of next year may prove much harder to automate than standard eligibility redeterminations
New at Can We Still Govern? New Medicaid work requirements will see an estimated 5 million lose coverage.
Small investments in in-house tech capacity could allow states to start preparing now to expand automatic renewal of clients. Here is the evidence 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/how-a-van-...
Small investments in in-house tech capacity could allow states to start preparing now to expand automatic renewal of clients. Here is the evidence 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/how-a-van-...
Lessons from Pandemic Era Medicaid Automation for Work Requirements
Small tech capacity investments offer big returns
donmoynihan.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:08 PM
This work is so important, especially in the context of how modestly (if at all) outreach efforts improve retention.
Also important: the work requirements that need to be implemented by the end of next year may prove much harder to automate than standard eligibility redeterminations
Also important: the work requirements that need to be implemented by the end of next year may prove much harder to automate than standard eligibility redeterminations
Reposted by Christian Weller
Today
"After the ACA’s major provisions were implemented in 2014... displaced workers were more likely to have public coverage before job loss and less likely to lose coverage afterward."
"After the ACA’s major provisions were implemented in 2014... displaced workers were more likely to have public coverage before job loss and less likely to lose coverage afterward."
November 10, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Today
"After the ACA’s major provisions were implemented in 2014... displaced workers were more likely to have public coverage before job loss and less likely to lose coverage afterward."
"After the ACA’s major provisions were implemented in 2014... displaced workers were more likely to have public coverage before job loss and less likely to lose coverage afterward."
This one hit home after a long trip.
How to kill time during flight delays
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
How to kill time during flight delays
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | How to kill time during flight delays
Try Xmas shopping airport-style!
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM
This one hit home after a long trip.
How to kill time during flight delays
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
How to kill time during flight delays
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
I love this. These structures are awesome and I can imagine the fun had by everyone.
My 7 year old was out in the yard totin' and hauling shit for hours and when she came inside I asked her what she was building and she said a White Castle drive thru. Lol.
Complete with pay window and cash register.
Complete with pay window and cash register.
November 10, 2025 at 12:39 AM
I love this. These structures are awesome and I can imagine the fun had by everyone.
Any pundit who became a health care expert in the past five weeks should listen (since they tend to argue that this is expensive). Our entire HC system is too expensive but that discussion should not start with ACA subsidies (or cuts to Medicaid).
if you are insured, in all likelihood.. you got a SUBSIDY to buy health insurance.
WE ALL GET TAX SUBSIDIES TO BUY HEALTH INSURANCE
Those with employer insurance (60% of us) get subsidies TEN TIMES higher than the costs of the ACA subsidies.
So why only attack the ACA/Obamacare subsidies?
WE ALL GET TAX SUBSIDIES TO BUY HEALTH INSURANCE
Those with employer insurance (60% of us) get subsidies TEN TIMES higher than the costs of the ACA subsidies.
So why only attack the ACA/Obamacare subsidies?
A complaint: extending ACA/marketplace enhanced premium tax credits would be expensive.
It would cost $35 billion/year to extend marketplace credits.
In contrast the tax exclusion for employer-sponsored health insurance cost $299 billion/year in 2022
taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-boo...
It would cost $35 billion/year to extend marketplace credits.
In contrast the tax exclusion for employer-sponsored health insurance cost $299 billion/year in 2022
taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-boo...
November 8, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Any pundit who became a health care expert in the past five weeks should listen (since they tend to argue that this is expensive). Our entire HC system is too expensive but that discussion should not start with ACA subsidies (or cuts to Medicaid).
Reposted by Christian Weller
Seems like a valid question. Why is ICE considered essential while ATCs are not?
Why are ICE agents being paid during the shutdown, but not air traffic controllers? 🤨
November 8, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Seems like a valid question. Why is ICE considered essential while ATCs are not?
Reposted by Christian Weller
The White House keeps unilaterally taking entirely voluntary actions which it openly says are intended to inflict more pain and then they're I guess surprised - along with most of the DC media - about why they seem to be taking the blame for the shutdown.
November 8, 2025 at 12:45 AM
The White House keeps unilaterally taking entirely voluntary actions which it openly says are intended to inflict more pain and then they're I guess surprised - along with most of the DC media - about why they seem to be taking the blame for the shutdown.
Reposted by Christian Weller
Reposted by Christian Weller
Word of the Day is ‘catchfart’ (17th century): an obsequious individual who sucks up to the boss and always follows the political wind.
November 7, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Word of the Day is ‘catchfart’ (17th century): an obsequious individual who sucks up to the boss and always follows the political wind.
Reposted by Christian Weller
If only the Speaker put half as much energy into governing as he does into avoiding work.
He still hasn’t sworn in Representative-elect Grijalva, people are hungry, planes are grounded, and Republicans are on vacation.
They’re showing you exactly who they are. Believe them.
He still hasn’t sworn in Representative-elect Grijalva, people are hungry, planes are grounded, and Republicans are on vacation.
They’re showing you exactly who they are. Believe them.
November 8, 2025 at 3:48 AM
If only the Speaker put half as much energy into governing as he does into avoiding work.
He still hasn’t sworn in Representative-elect Grijalva, people are hungry, planes are grounded, and Republicans are on vacation.
They’re showing you exactly who they are. Believe them.
He still hasn’t sworn in Representative-elect Grijalva, people are hungry, planes are grounded, and Republicans are on vacation.
They’re showing you exactly who they are. Believe them.
Reposted by Christian Weller
The US job market has barely grown in the past 3 months @AugurInfinity
November 7, 2025 at 10:46 AM
The US job market has barely grown in the past 3 months @AugurInfinity
Fascinating. I think a gap between predicted and actual use is probably expected. A widening gap could be really problematic.
Something I'm working on:
1) On average, only 9% of US firms were using any form of AI to produce products in September
2) US firms are consistently overestimate the rates of AI adoption (dotted line)
3) Expectations are maybe(?) starting to outpace reality...
1) On average, only 9% of US firms were using any form of AI to produce products in September
2) US firms are consistently overestimate the rates of AI adoption (dotted line)
3) Expectations are maybe(?) starting to outpace reality...
November 7, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Fascinating. I think a gap between predicted and actual use is probably expected. A widening gap could be really problematic.
Reposted by Christian Weller
The Trump administration has made it clear: it wants to take food away from hungry families—it'll even go to court over it.
November 6, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The Trump administration has made it clear: it wants to take food away from hungry families—it'll even go to court over it.
Reposted by Christian Weller
Digging up my high school reading, "DonaldTrump Rex" is gouging out his own (economic) eyes (now as farce rather than tragedy); no patricide and incest implied! #EconSky @aaronsojourner.org
econbrowser.com/archives/202...
econbrowser.com/archives/202...
November 6, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Digging up my high school reading, "DonaldTrump Rex" is gouging out his own (economic) eyes (now as farce rather than tragedy); no patricide and incest implied! #EconSky @aaronsojourner.org
econbrowser.com/archives/202...
econbrowser.com/archives/202...
Who should be credited for this picture?
November 6, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Who should be credited for this picture?
Please add alt text.
November 6, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Please add alt text.
Reposted by Christian Weller
Some, stable inflation happens and is necessary. Then, there is the recognition that inflation is accelerating because of tariffs. Those are two separate things, but Speaker Johnson easily conflates them. Wish reporters would point this out.
Q: Food prices are still going up. Grocery prices are still going up. How do you respond?
MIKE JOHNSON: All of the economist have shown that food prices always go up. There's an inflationary level that's built in to grocery prices.
MIKE JOHNSON: All of the economist have shown that food prices always go up. There's an inflationary level that's built in to grocery prices.
November 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Some, stable inflation happens and is necessary. Then, there is the recognition that inflation is accelerating because of tariffs. Those are two separate things, but Speaker Johnson easily conflates them. Wish reporters would point this out.
Reposted by Christian Weller
We’re hiring!
Our new resume portal is live, and we’re looking for top talent in NYC to help build this administration and deliver on our affordability agenda.
Could that be you? Apply using the link below.
transition2025.com/apply
Our new resume portal is live, and we’re looking for top talent in NYC to help build this administration and deliver on our affordability agenda.
Could that be you? Apply using the link below.
transition2025.com/apply
November 6, 2025 at 1:36 PM
We’re hiring!
Our new resume portal is live, and we’re looking for top talent in NYC to help build this administration and deliver on our affordability agenda.
Could that be you? Apply using the link below.
transition2025.com/apply
Our new resume portal is live, and we’re looking for top talent in NYC to help build this administration and deliver on our affordability agenda.
Could that be you? Apply using the link below.
transition2025.com/apply
Difficult to see really where the labor market and the economy are heading. At a minimum, the labor market and the economy are not booming, while inflation is getting worse. The Republican government shutdown hurts those the most, who are most likely to suffer in this economy.
Donald Trump is destroying the economy. But at least he has a shiny new ballroom paid for by all the rich people he’s making richer with his kleptocracy.
Layoffs are rising to recession-like levels, new report says www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Layoffs are rising to recession-like levels, new report says www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Layoffs rise to recession-like levels through October, new report says
Layoffs are rising to recession-like levels, with U.S. employers announcing 1.1 million job cuts so far this year, according to a report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Difficult to see really where the labor market and the economy are heading. At a minimum, the labor market and the economy are not booming, while inflation is getting worse. The Republican government shutdown hurts those the most, who are most likely to suffer in this economy.
Reposted by Christian Weller
Beshear: Let me be clear. The president has both the funding and the authority to fund snap during a shutdown. In fact, every other president in every other shutdown has done so. People going hungry in this instance is a choice that this president has made.
November 5, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Beshear: Let me be clear. The president has both the funding and the authority to fund snap during a shutdown. In fact, every other president in every other shutdown has done so. People going hungry in this instance is a choice that this president has made.