Matt Johnson
@mslaterjohnson.bsky.social
Labor Economist at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. Dad of twins. Biking and compost enthusiast. Research website: https://sites.google.com/site/mslaterjohnson/home?authuser=0
I have added my name to this open letter from economists supporting Federal Reserve independence and Governor Lisa Cook. Thank you @tderyugina.bsky.social for facilitating this!
The letter is ready, thanks to all those who helped out! Starting to gather signature now, please consider signing (link at top of letter) & spread the word.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
August 28, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I have added my name to this open letter from economists supporting Federal Reserve independence and Governor Lisa Cook. Thank you @tderyugina.bsky.social for facilitating this!
Reposted by Matt Johnson
The letter is ready, thanks to all those who helped out! Starting to gather signature now, please consider signing (link at top of letter) & spread the word.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
August 27, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The letter is ready, thanks to all those who helped out! Starting to gather signature now, please consider signing (link at top of letter) & spread the word.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Matt Johnson
Seems like if we want to increase a culture of work etc etc, this might be more promising than taking food benefits away from 60 year olds or parents of 9 year olds. Of course funding things like this wouldn’t open up budgetary space for tax cuts for rich people.
New research w/ @kirabojackson.bsky.social & @julia-turner.bsky.social on NBER homepage
“Universal Pre-K across 9 states & cities increased LFP by 0.8 pp, employment by 0.9 pp, & weekly hours worked by 0.42, with strongest effects for moms. Each $1 spent on UPK generated >$3 in additional earnings”
“Universal Pre-K across 9 states & cities increased LFP by 0.8 pp, employment by 0.9 pp, & weekly hours worked by 0.42, with strongest effects for moms. Each $1 spent on UPK generated >$3 in additional earnings”
June 3, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Seems like if we want to increase a culture of work etc etc, this might be more promising than taking food benefits away from 60 year olds or parents of 9 year olds. Of course funding things like this wouldn’t open up budgetary space for tax cuts for rich people.
Reposted by Matt Johnson
1/ Want to help US workers? Enforce labor law, not deportation orders. Undocumented immigrants are not the problem. The problem is the govt’s inadequate response to structural shifts in the economy that undermine worker power. NEW REPORT: smlr.rutgers.edu/sites/defaul...
smlr.rutgers.edu
May 29, 2025 at 4:33 PM
1/ Want to help US workers? Enforce labor law, not deportation orders. Undocumented immigrants are not the problem. The problem is the govt’s inadequate response to structural shifts in the economy that undermine worker power. NEW REPORT: smlr.rutgers.edu/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Matt Johnson
Who do work requirements penalize? @lizananat.bsky.social, @agpines.bsky.social, and Olivia Howard offer findings on low-income service sector workers whose unpredictable work hours are largely driven by their employers and not by choice. www.brookings.edu/articles/wor...
May 28, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Who do work requirements penalize? @lizananat.bsky.social, @agpines.bsky.social, and Olivia Howard offer findings on low-income service sector workers whose unpredictable work hours are largely driven by their employers and not by choice. www.brookings.edu/articles/wor...
Reposted by Matt Johnson
One of grants frozen at Cornell: $6.7M (4 yrs) to develop heart pumps for babies born w/ heart defects.
It took decades of work to get to point of prepping device for in-human clinical trials. No private company could do this.
The cruelty of the Trump administration is heartbreaking. So to speak.
It took decades of work to get to point of prepping device for in-human clinical trials. No private company could do this.
The cruelty of the Trump administration is heartbreaking. So to speak.
Research at risk: Life-saving heart pumps for babies | Cornell Chronicle
After receiving a stop-work order from the federal government, the future of a device to help children with heart defects is uncertain.
news.cornell.edu
May 7, 2025 at 11:56 AM
One of grants frozen at Cornell: $6.7M (4 yrs) to develop heart pumps for babies born w/ heart defects.
It took decades of work to get to point of prepping device for in-human clinical trials. No private company could do this.
The cruelty of the Trump administration is heartbreaking. So to speak.
It took decades of work to get to point of prepping device for in-human clinical trials. No private company could do this.
The cruelty of the Trump administration is heartbreaking. So to speak.
This makes me so sad. My first thought is this is yet another casualty of the "smart phones ruined everything" hypothesis. But I wonder if it's also downstream effects of education policy last few decades treating reading as a skill for standardized tests rather than something fun
the fraction of parents reading to their 0-4 year old kids frequently has apparently fallen by 23 POINTS since 2012 www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
Most parents don’t enjoy reading to their children, survey suggests
Report from Nielsen and HarperCollins shows that parents see reading as a literacy skill, rather than something to encourage their children to love
www.theguardian.com
May 2, 2025 at 3:50 PM
This makes me so sad. My first thought is this is yet another casualty of the "smart phones ruined everything" hypothesis. But I wonder if it's also downstream effects of education policy last few decades treating reading as a skill for standardized tests rather than something fun
Reposted by Matt Johnson
While you highlight it, please note is the product of local journalism, which has been carrying a lot of the burden in an environment where national outlets simply can't cover everything everywhere all at once. Support your local journalists!
Please highlight this story.
ICE stormed into the wrong house, trashed the place, and made women/girls stand outside in the rain in their underwear. ICE also stole phones, laptops, and cash savings from the family, who moved to OKC two weeks ago.
kfor.com/news/local/w...
ICE stormed into the wrong house, trashed the place, and made women/girls stand outside in the rain in their underwear. ICE also stole phones, laptops, and cash savings from the family, who moved to OKC two weeks ago.
kfor.com/news/local/w...
'We're citizens!': Oklahoma City family traumatized after ICE raids home, but they weren't suspects
A woman says her family’s fresh start in Oklahoma turned into a nightmare after federal immigration agents raided their home, taking their phones, laptops, and life savings – even though they were …
kfor.com
April 29, 2025 at 4:26 PM
While you highlight it, please note is the product of local journalism, which has been carrying a lot of the burden in an environment where national outlets simply can't cover everything everywhere all at once. Support your local journalists!
Alert--one heck of an opportunity to measure the tax incidence of tariffs! (That is, if Amazon measures/announces incidence correctly...)
April 29, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Alert--one heck of an opportunity to measure the tax incidence of tariffs! (That is, if Amazon measures/announces incidence correctly...)
"Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants,” winks Louis Brandies at us.
ICYMI: Georgetown Law students made a 853-row spreadsheet of Trump-caving firms. It drew national headlines. Recruiters noticed some talent looked elsewhere. Firms lobbied to change their designation.
An organizer tells @www.AllRiseNews.com the background www.allrisenews.com/p/skadden-st...
An organizer tells @www.AllRiseNews.com the background www.allrisenews.com/p/skadden-st...
April 25, 2025 at 2:16 PM
"Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants,” winks Louis Brandies at us.
Reposted by Matt Johnson
For your enjoyment: here is Secretary of Education Linda McMahon talking about implementing AI in schools, but pronouncing it "A1," as in "A1 Steak Sauce"
www.youtube.com/live/lxrg28z...
www.youtube.com/live/lxrg28z...
April 9, 2025 at 7:49 PM
For your enjoyment: here is Secretary of Education Linda McMahon talking about implementing AI in schools, but pronouncing it "A1," as in "A1 Steak Sauce"
www.youtube.com/live/lxrg28z...
www.youtube.com/live/lxrg28z...
I know you have a million things on your plate. Take 5 minutes to call your senators and your representative to demand that they speak out against this abhorrent and un-American action by the Trump administration. North Carolinians: a staffer picks up at Budd's office; you leave a message for Tillis
@ryanenos.bsky.social Khalil “will likely miss the birth of his child..His family will suffer.The logic of repression is not [to] use violence to silence everyone directly.It is [to] use violence to make examples of a few, with the others knowing that they may be next,& then choosing to self-censor”
March 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I know you have a million things on your plate. Take 5 minutes to call your senators and your representative to demand that they speak out against this abhorrent and un-American action by the Trump administration. North Carolinians: a staffer picks up at Budd's office; you leave a message for Tillis
Reposted by Matt Johnson
Here’s the reality: This government—despite what they’d have us believe—cannot simply do whatever it wants. The moment we accept that bullshit, we become complicit in this blatantly authoritarian move by the president and his administration.
With a loud, collective voice, we must say: fuck this!
With a loud, collective voice, we must say: fuck this!
UPDATE—Mahmoud's attorney says they do NOT know where he is.
They were first told he was sent to an ICE facility in Elizabeth, NJ. But when his 8-month-pregnant wife tried to visit him, she was told he's not there.
They've received reports he may be sent as far away as Louisiana.
They were first told he was sent to an ICE facility in Elizabeth, NJ. But when his 8-month-pregnant wife tried to visit him, she was told he's not there.
They've received reports he may be sent as far away as Louisiana.
March 10, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Here’s the reality: This government—despite what they’d have us believe—cannot simply do whatever it wants. The moment we accept that bullshit, we become complicit in this blatantly authoritarian move by the president and his administration.
With a loud, collective voice, we must say: fuck this!
With a loud, collective voice, we must say: fuck this!
Reposted by Matt Johnson
If you think empathy is weakness, you're revealing yourself as a psychopath.
Musk states "the fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy". Charles Darwin, who actually researched this stuff, showed it was empathy, specifically, that enabled humanity to flourish.
Government AI, defending DOGE and more: Takeaways from Elon Musk’s three-hour interview with Joe Rogan
The wide-ranging interview between the two prominent Trump supporters comes as Musk remakes the federal government.
www.politico.com
March 5, 2025 at 2:03 PM
If you think empathy is weakness, you're revealing yourself as a psychopath.
Fellow North Carolinians: I just left a message for our Republican Senator Thom Tillis--with whom I rarely agree but who has spoken out in support of Ukraine. Let's rattle our elected representatives to not just sit back as this slide to authoritarianism continues.
In 15 years on social media I almost never ask my followers to do anything.
If you live in the United States, please stop now & call your representative. I just called. They answer and listen.
The phone numbers are here: www.usa.gov/elected-offi...
Demand action to stop this authoritarian threat:
If you live in the United States, please stop now & call your representative. I just called. They answer and listen.
The phone numbers are here: www.usa.gov/elected-offi...
Demand action to stop this authoritarian threat:
March 4, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Fellow North Carolinians: I just left a message for our Republican Senator Thom Tillis--with whom I rarely agree but who has spoken out in support of Ukraine. Let's rattle our elected representatives to not just sit back as this slide to authoritarianism continues.
Reposted by Matt Johnson
The media should relentlessly be explaining three facts:
1. Payroll is a very small part of govt. spending
2. It is possible to cripple govt. and save little
2. In addition to being illegal/unconstitutional, DOGE cuts are a rounding error compared to numbers in budget resolution
1. Payroll is a very small part of govt. spending
2. It is possible to cripple govt. and save little
2. In addition to being illegal/unconstitutional, DOGE cuts are a rounding error compared to numbers in budget resolution
February 26, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The media should relentlessly be explaining three facts:
1. Payroll is a very small part of govt. spending
2. It is possible to cripple govt. and save little
2. In addition to being illegal/unconstitutional, DOGE cuts are a rounding error compared to numbers in budget resolution
1. Payroll is a very small part of govt. spending
2. It is possible to cripple govt. and save little
2. In addition to being illegal/unconstitutional, DOGE cuts are a rounding error compared to numbers in budget resolution
Reposted by Matt Johnson
In 2024, the NLRB filed a complaint against Tesla for interfering in a union drive at their Buffalo, NY assembly plant.
Today:
Today:
February 20, 2025 at 7:01 PM
In 2024, the NLRB filed a complaint against Tesla for interfering in a union drive at their Buffalo, NY assembly plant.
Today:
Today:
I am ecstatic to share that I got tenure!!!
The job security is great, but honestly the reaction from these two may have been the very best part.
Please indulge me in a few musings / ramblings about the gratitude—and other feelings—radiating through me right now….
The job security is great, but honestly the reaction from these two may have been the very best part.
Please indulge me in a few musings / ramblings about the gratitude—and other feelings—radiating through me right now….
February 6, 2025 at 2:38 PM
I am ecstatic to share that I got tenure!!!
The job security is great, but honestly the reaction from these two may have been the very best part.
Please indulge me in a few musings / ramblings about the gratitude—and other feelings—radiating through me right now….
The job security is great, but honestly the reaction from these two may have been the very best part.
Please indulge me in a few musings / ramblings about the gratitude—and other feelings—radiating through me right now….
Reposted by Matt Johnson
if you work at OSHA or the Department of Labor and wanna share a tip about what’s happening with a friendly labor reporter, I will protect your privacy and am ALL ears
I’m on Signal (kimkelly.666) and you can email me securely at [email protected]
I’m on Signal (kimkelly.666) and you can email me securely at [email protected]
BREAKING: Republican Congressman Andy Biggs has introduced a bill to abolish OSHA.
The entire text of the bill reads "The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 is repealed. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is abolished."
The entire text of the bill reads "The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 is repealed. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is abolished."
February 3, 2025 at 7:27 PM
if you work at OSHA or the Department of Labor and wanna share a tip about what’s happening with a friendly labor reporter, I will protect your privacy and am ALL ears
I’m on Signal (kimkelly.666) and you can email me securely at [email protected]
I’m on Signal (kimkelly.666) and you can email me securely at [email protected]
super interesting paper that probably is relevant for interpreting results from **MANY** RCTs.
Program eligibility can trigger an Ashenfelter Dip, with outcomes reverting to the mean even in the absence of an intervention. Predicting "Always Improvers" may enhance targeting, from Marcella Alsan, @cawley_john, Joseph J. Doyle Jr., and @nickskelley_ https://www.nber.org/papers/w33369
Mean Reversion in Randomized Controlled Trials: Implications for Program Targeting and Heterogeneous Treatment Effects
Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, and business professionals.
www.nber.org
January 24, 2025 at 8:35 PM
super interesting paper that probably is relevant for interpreting results from **MANY** RCTs.
Has there ever been a better description of the concept of opportunity cost?
Thoreau--the transcendental economist!
Thoreau--the transcendental economist!
January 14, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Has there ever been a better description of the concept of opportunity cost?
Thoreau--the transcendental economist!
Thoreau--the transcendental economist!
Reposted by Matt Johnson
Come to our ASSA LERA session on Compliance and Enforcement of Labor and Employment Law:
- New survey data on labor standards compliance
- Management practices & workplace injuries
- Wage theft by demographic group
- Compliance incentives
Sunday, 1-3pm
#ASSA2025 #LERA2025 #EconSky
- New survey data on labor standards compliance
- Management practices & workplace injuries
- Wage theft by demographic group
- Compliance incentives
Sunday, 1-3pm
#ASSA2025 #LERA2025 #EconSky
December 31, 2024 at 6:07 PM