Peter Chen
@ptrchn1.bsky.social
Senior Policy Analyst, NJPP. Deranged Cubs fan.
Reposted by Peter Chen
Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protest outside Chicago-area ICE facility reut.rs/49lQnWS
Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protest outside Chicago-area ICE facility
Nearly two dozen people were arrested as faith leaders protested on Friday outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago, authorities said, the latest sign of tensions over the Trump administration's aggressive enforcement push.
reut.rs
November 15, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protest outside Chicago-area ICE facility reut.rs/49lQnWS
Reposted by Peter Chen
Chicago's ICE resistance just showed the world that everyday Americans are good and fearless in fighting for their communities
But our cowardly elites -- especially Senate Democrats -- still don't get it
My new column on America's great disconnect www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
But our cowardly elites -- especially Senate Democrats -- still don't get it
My new column on America's great disconnect www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
A nation of heroes, a Senate of cowards | Will Bunch Newsletter
Plus, Cheney didn’t save us from Trump. He created him.
www.inquirer.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Chicago's ICE resistance just showed the world that everyday Americans are good and fearless in fighting for their communities
But our cowardly elites -- especially Senate Democrats -- still don't get it
My new column on America's great disconnect www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
But our cowardly elites -- especially Senate Democrats -- still don't get it
My new column on America's great disconnect www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
Reposted by Peter Chen
Right wing media now dominates the information ecosystem in this country & it's likely to get worse. That means more lies, misinformation, conspiracy theories all in service to Donald Trump & MAGA. @reuters.com has details on the dangerous shift:
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
November 11, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Right wing media now dominates the information ecosystem in this country & it's likely to get worse. That means more lies, misinformation, conspiracy theories all in service to Donald Trump & MAGA. @reuters.com has details on the dangerous shift:
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Center-left parties around the world watching Starmerism implode Labour
November 11, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Center-left parties around the world watching Starmerism implode Labour
Reposted by Peter Chen
Everyone is dunking on Kim Kardashian. The truth is the California bar is notoriously hard, the pass rate was only 55%, the pass rate for people who didn‘t go to an accredited law school is way lower, and lots of very smart and dedicated people don’t pass the first time and become good lawyers.
Kim Kardashian slams psychics who told her she'd pass the bar exam: 'All fucking full of shit'
Kim Kardashian slams psychics who told her she'd pass the bar exam: 'All f---ing full of s---'
'All f---ing full of s---': Kim Kardashian has some choice words for the psychics who predicted she'd pass the bar exam.
ew.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Everyone is dunking on Kim Kardashian. The truth is the California bar is notoriously hard, the pass rate was only 55%, the pass rate for people who didn‘t go to an accredited law school is way lower, and lots of very smart and dedicated people don’t pass the first time and become good lawyers.
look, the only way to move forward is for everyone to stop being mad at me for the dumb thing i did.
only then can we truly heal and unite.
only then can we truly heal and unite.
November 11, 2025 at 2:14 PM
look, the only way to move forward is for everyone to stop being mad at me for the dumb thing i did.
only then can we truly heal and unite.
only then can we truly heal and unite.
NJ's public workforce has shrunk dramatically, with state workforce down >25% since 2006.
As federal cuts and shutdowns have shown, a robust civil servant workforce is critical to effective governance.
Fewer staff means less ability to get stuff done
www.njpp.org/publications...
As federal cuts and shutdowns have shown, a robust civil servant workforce is critical to effective governance.
Fewer staff means less ability to get stuff done
www.njpp.org/publications...
Gutted: New Jersey’s Shrinking Public Workforce - New Jersey Policy Perspective
The state has eliminated nearly 20,000 positions even as population has grown, leaving residents with worse service and higher costs.
www.njpp.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:11 PM
NJ's public workforce has shrunk dramatically, with state workforce down >25% since 2006.
As federal cuts and shutdowns have shown, a robust civil servant workforce is critical to effective governance.
Fewer staff means less ability to get stuff done
www.njpp.org/publications...
As federal cuts and shutdowns have shown, a robust civil servant workforce is critical to effective governance.
Fewer staff means less ability to get stuff done
www.njpp.org/publications...
Reposted by Peter Chen
🚨 NEW from @ptrchn1.bsky.social 🚨
New Jersey has eliminated nearly 20,000 state workforce positions even as the population has grown, leaving residents with worse service and higher costs.
Read the full report:
www.njpp.org/publications...
New Jersey has eliminated nearly 20,000 state workforce positions even as the population has grown, leaving residents with worse service and higher costs.
Read the full report:
www.njpp.org/publications...
Gutted: New Jersey’s Shrinking Public Workforce - New Jersey Policy Perspective
The state has eliminated nearly 20,000 positions even as population has grown, leaving residents with worse service and higher costs.
www.njpp.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:02 PM
🚨 NEW from @ptrchn1.bsky.social 🚨
New Jersey has eliminated nearly 20,000 state workforce positions even as the population has grown, leaving residents with worse service and higher costs.
Read the full report:
www.njpp.org/publications...
New Jersey has eliminated nearly 20,000 state workforce positions even as the population has grown, leaving residents with worse service and higher costs.
Read the full report:
www.njpp.org/publications...
Just thinking about this for no reason
November 10, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Just thinking about this for no reason
Reposted by Peter Chen
The original Dem demands were:
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)
They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.
The Senate Democrats!
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)
They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.
The Senate Democrats!
November 10, 2025 at 2:29 AM
The original Dem demands were:
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)
They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.
The Senate Democrats!
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)
They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.
The Senate Democrats!
Reposted by Peter Chen
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
Reposted by Peter Chen
Maybe if people think the Democratic Party is "weak" it is not because they think that Democrats "care about other people" but that they "fold every single time."
This shit is why people don’t trust the Democratic Party.
November 10, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Maybe if people think the Democratic Party is "weak" it is not because they think that Democrats "care about other people" but that they "fold every single time."
Reposted by Peter Chen
“They didn’t just walk in chasing one person, they went into multiple rooms asking and looking for teachers while children were present,” Ramirez said. “This is an agency that has gone rogue and it an agency that believes that as long as they can cover their face, they can get away with anything.”
Families "horrified" after daycare teacher pulled out of school by federal agents.
The incident happened in front of parents and children at Rayito de Sol in North Center, a parent said. They believe the employee, who cares for infants, is legally allowed to work in the United State...
www.chalkbeat.org
November 6, 2025 at 11:14 AM
“They didn’t just walk in chasing one person, they went into multiple rooms asking and looking for teachers while children were present,” Ramirez said. “This is an agency that has gone rogue and it an agency that believes that as long as they can cover their face, they can get away with anything.”
Reposted by Peter Chen
Reposted by Peter Chen
👀 Scoop: IRS Direct File, the free government-backed program that let you file your taxes for free, is dead.
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
IRS tests free e-filing system that could compete with tax-prep giants
The tax agency has quietly built its own prototype system for filing tax returns digitally and free of charge, according to current and former officials.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:42 PM
👀 Scoop: IRS Direct File, the free government-backed program that let you file your taxes for free, is dead.
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
Reposted by Peter Chen
Why should you 🫵🏿 care about SNAP? SNAP recipients saw:
- Improved life expectancy
- Lower chance of incarceration
- Lowers chance of poverty
- Lived in better neighborhoods
- Higher human capital
SNAP keeps our neighbors fed, communities safer, and kids educated. Also people are HUNGRY. DUH!
- Improved life expectancy
- Lower chance of incarceration
- Lowers chance of poverty
- Lived in better neighborhoods
- Higher human capital
SNAP keeps our neighbors fed, communities safer, and kids educated. Also people are HUNGRY. DUH!
October 31, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Why should you 🫵🏿 care about SNAP? SNAP recipients saw:
- Improved life expectancy
- Lower chance of incarceration
- Lowers chance of poverty
- Lived in better neighborhoods
- Higher human capital
SNAP keeps our neighbors fed, communities safer, and kids educated. Also people are HUNGRY. DUH!
- Improved life expectancy
- Lower chance of incarceration
- Lowers chance of poverty
- Lived in better neighborhoods
- Higher human capital
SNAP keeps our neighbors fed, communities safer, and kids educated. Also people are HUNGRY. DUH!
FACT CHECK: TRUE
Brooke Rollins: "My message to America is your government is failing you right now ... we have failed you."
October 31, 2025 at 2:50 PM
FACT CHECK: TRUE
@njpolicy.bsky.social doing its annual report distribution
October 31, 2025 at 2:42 PM
@njpolicy.bsky.social doing its annual report distribution
free "I VOTED" sticker idea @stateofnewjersey.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 2:02 PM
free "I VOTED" sticker idea @stateofnewjersey.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter Chen
They went pretty seamlessly from demanding we have to effusively honor Charlie Kirk's legacy to mainstreaming Nick Fuentes.
October 31, 2025 at 11:24 AM
They went pretty seamlessly from demanding we have to effusively honor Charlie Kirk's legacy to mainstreaming Nick Fuentes.
Reposted by Peter Chen
Hours-long wait times. Endless looping music. Useless robot messages. Millions of seniors and disabled people call Social Security every month.
What they experience is often maddening.
What they experience is often maddening.
Callers to Social Security wait for hours to get help. Hear their ordeals.
Millions of seniors and disabled people call Social Security’s 1-800 number every month. What they experience is often maddening.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Hours-long wait times. Endless looping music. Useless robot messages. Millions of seniors and disabled people call Social Security every month.
What they experience is often maddening.
What they experience is often maddening.
Reposted by Peter Chen
This is good, but when people talk about this I want to emphasize: we have not run out of money for SNAP. The money is there, it has been allotted and saved specifically for this instance. Trump refuses to release the billions of dollars that Americans have already allotted to continue food stamps!
In the 60-year history of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, it’s never run out of money. Here are the states suing the federal government over it.
October 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM
This is good, but when people talk about this I want to emphasize: we have not run out of money for SNAP. The money is there, it has been allotted and saved specifically for this instance. Trump refuses to release the billions of dollars that Americans have already allotted to continue food stamps!
Reposted by Peter Chen
Sticker shock for ACA recipients:
Clint and Cindy Kittrell, Oregon: $305/month --> $2,500/month.
Chad and Tara Smith, Idaho: $710/month --> $1,000/month.
Jessica Bunger, Florida: New premiums quadruple to $1,100/month. "I’ve never felt so powerless in my life"
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Clint and Cindy Kittrell, Oregon: $305/month --> $2,500/month.
Chad and Tara Smith, Idaho: $710/month --> $1,000/month.
Jessica Bunger, Florida: New premiums quadruple to $1,100/month. "I’ve never felt so powerless in my life"
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Americans Are Getting a Look at Next Year’s ACA Premiums and Many Don’t Like It
Many Affordable Care Act enrollees could pay hundreds of dollars more if they stick with their health plans.
www.wsj.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Sticker shock for ACA recipients:
Clint and Cindy Kittrell, Oregon: $305/month --> $2,500/month.
Chad and Tara Smith, Idaho: $710/month --> $1,000/month.
Jessica Bunger, Florida: New premiums quadruple to $1,100/month. "I’ve never felt so powerless in my life"
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Clint and Cindy Kittrell, Oregon: $305/month --> $2,500/month.
Chad and Tara Smith, Idaho: $710/month --> $1,000/month.
Jessica Bunger, Florida: New premiums quadruple to $1,100/month. "I’ve never felt so powerless in my life"
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Peter Chen
JOHNSON: “.. The pain register is about to hit level 10.”
@politico.com #Shutdown
www.politico.com/live-updates...
@politico.com #Shutdown
www.politico.com/live-updates...
October 28, 2025 at 4:59 PM
JOHNSON: “.. The pain register is about to hit level 10.”
@politico.com #Shutdown
www.politico.com/live-updates...
@politico.com #Shutdown
www.politico.com/live-updates...
Reposted by Peter Chen
Republicans in Congress are taking an indefinite vacation & relinquishing their power to a wannabe king.
Without a Congress, we’re living in a dictatorship—not a democracy.
Without a Congress, we’re living in a dictatorship—not a democracy.
Trump: "I said, 'put it all into one bill and if we get it done, we're done for four years.' We don't need anything more from Congress."
October 28, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Republicans in Congress are taking an indefinite vacation & relinquishing their power to a wannabe king.
Without a Congress, we’re living in a dictatorship—not a democracy.
Without a Congress, we’re living in a dictatorship—not a democracy.