So for those of you keeping track: • Trump says he will end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. Putin tells him to pound sand. War is now worse than ever. • Trump says he’ll solve the Gaza war. That war is now worse than ever. • Trump tells Bibi not to strike Iran to give him

State policymakers are missing a free lunch—figuratively and literally—by declining to implement a new federal program that offers summer grocery benefits to low-income children. Resources that could fight hunger, support families, boost local economies brookings.edu/articles/sun-b…

Good article (based on their forthcoming book!) by my former CEA colleague Michael Geruso The Population Bust Won’t Solve the Climate Crisis nytimes.com/2025/06/29/opi… via @NYTOpinion

Lots going on in the world, including the continued destruction of families and children in Gaza

Wrote a blog on how new legislation affects tax credits for families Overall: it’ll hurt low income families (via EITC pre-certification), have negligible impact on most middle income families, & will help higher income families who are least in need of financial assistance

"EITC claimants—especially those with complex family structures—could face confusing and burdensome new IRS requirements. For working parents already navigating tax season, this may mean delays, lost refunds, or abandoned claims." Jacob Bastian

America's housing crisis contains two problems: Above-cost housing & low incomes YIMBYism can cut rents down to construction costs, but it can't help poverty. Or can it? Turns out an Austin-style 15% rent drop would cut Californian poverty by as much as the Child Tax Credit 👇

I have new short paper estimating fiscal benefits of Michigan moving to universal pre-K. Key finding: fiscal benefits cover 2/3rds of gross budget costs. research.upjohn.org/up_policypaper…

Jonathan Colmer Kimberly Clausing Daron Acemoglu R. Jisung Park Anna Stansbury Matthew Staiger Zack Cooper Stuart Craig Fiona Scott Morton Bo Cowgill Evan Starr Martha Bailey Jason Cook Dr. Chloe N. East she/her @chloeneast.bsky.social Andy Garin 8/ 📅 July 25 ⏰ 9:45 am: "Universal Pre-K as Economic Stimulus: Evidence from Nine States & Large Cities in the U.S." featuring Jacob Bastian C. Kirabo Jackson That's a wrap! For more info on this week's sessions, see the schedule: nber.org/conferences/si… See you next year!👋

This isn't a "myth" - it is based on what *actually happens* when states have imposed work requirements. When states have imposed work requirements in the past, most of the people who lose their health insurance were working.

It is important for researchers and policymakers to think about the interaction of policies, not just one program at a time. I wrote a short analysis of the US’s two most important tax credits Here’s EITC+CTC combined by income, kids, marital status rstreet.org/commentary/how…

The EITC and CTC are complements, not substitutes. Here's how policymakers should think about them. Jacob Bastian

It’s August which means another IIPF - International Institute of Public Finance conference. We’re in Nairobi Kenya. Would be a shame to come all the way here and not explore East Africa ;) I’m presenting a few papers, including a brand new project on tax credits in Puerto Rico Reach out & say hello if you are here!

Submit that new research project of yours and I will see you in Denver. Will be a great conference!

Putting together something on AI and economics research. Who are leaders and creative thinkers in this area? Ideally labor and applied micro economists. Self promotion accepted!

Huge thanks to Equitable Growth for their grant support! Excited for the opportunity to advance this research.

The logic for supporting DEI: Providing extra help not because one is a woman/minority; but rather to help overcome the extra obstructions one faces as a woman/minority It shouldn’t be called sexist/racist to help people overcome sexism/racism nytimes.com/2025/09/05/opi…

Such a pleasure to be on this panel. Great event at the Urban Institute urban.org/events/cash-as…

Would love to see Zohran Kwame Mamdani keep this going—AFTER the election—with volunteer groups working together on good things Community in real life is needed more and more, post-Covid, post-religion nytimes.com/2025/11/04/nyr…