Anisha Steephen
@asteephen.bsky.social
Ex-U.S. Treasury, always economic justice. Banking / Tax / Housing / Climate. They/Them.
📍NYC
📍NYC
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
White House officials are furious with Bill Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Agency director, who talked Trump into suggesting a 50-year mortgage plan.
The White House was blindsided by the idea and is now dealing with a furious backlash from conservative allies, business leaders and lawmakers.
The White House was blindsided by the idea and is now dealing with a furious backlash from conservative allies, business leaders and lawmakers.
‘Sold POTUS a bill of goods’: WH furious with Pulte over 50-year mortgage
The White House was blindsided by the idea and is now dealing with a furious backlash from conservative allies, business leaders and lawmakers.
www.politico.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:27 PM
White House officials are furious with Bill Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Agency director, who talked Trump into suggesting a 50-year mortgage plan.
The White House was blindsided by the idea and is now dealing with a furious backlash from conservative allies, business leaders and lawmakers.
The White House was blindsided by the idea and is now dealing with a furious backlash from conservative allies, business leaders and lawmakers.
🧵 1/ I keep getting asked about 50-year mortgages. I worked in banking/housing finance after the 2008 crash, and what I see is a policy that markets relief while loading risk onto the very households it claims to help. Affordability comes from more homes and higher incomes, not longer debt.
November 10, 2025 at 9:14 PM
🧵 1/ I keep getting asked about 50-year mortgages. I worked in banking/housing finance after the 2008 crash, and what I see is a policy that markets relief while loading risk onto the very households it claims to help. Affordability comes from more homes and higher incomes, not longer debt.
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
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
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
Today @economicsecurityproject.org released its Affordability Framework by Becky Chao and myself.
As affordability remains central to economic debates, it's helpful to step back to see the key drivers of the crisis and build a theory of the case. /1 economicsecurityproject.org/resource/aff...
As affordability remains central to economic debates, it's helpful to step back to see the key drivers of the crisis and build a theory of the case. /1 economicsecurityproject.org/resource/aff...
The Affordability Framework - Economic Security Project
This report introduces a two-part framework, identifying 1) broken markets and 2) broken incomes as dual drivers of the affordability crisis. This framework assesses the forces driving up costs for Am...
economicsecurityproject.org
October 22, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Today @economicsecurityproject.org released its Affordability Framework by Becky Chao and myself.
As affordability remains central to economic debates, it's helpful to step back to see the key drivers of the crisis and build a theory of the case. /1 economicsecurityproject.org/resource/aff...
As affordability remains central to economic debates, it's helpful to step back to see the key drivers of the crisis and build a theory of the case. /1 economicsecurityproject.org/resource/aff...
If you read anything today, read this piece by @bedoyausa.bsky.social. It’s a sharp reminder that the real political stakes aren’t just left vs. right. They are about power vs. the people and who gets to control our economy and our lives. For immigrants, in housing, in labor, in tech, and beyond.
How I Became a Populist
My time at the Federal Trade Commission—before Donald Trump fired me—totally changed the way I see our political divide.
newrepublic.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:52 PM
If you read anything today, read this piece by @bedoyausa.bsky.social. It’s a sharp reminder that the real political stakes aren’t just left vs. right. They are about power vs. the people and who gets to control our economy and our lives. For immigrants, in housing, in labor, in tech, and beyond.
(1/3) Trump promised cheaper energy. But today his DOE is pulling $8B from projects that would lower costs and strengthen the grid, just as AI data center demand soars. That chills investment, slows construction, and leaves families & small businesses facing higher power bills and weaker reliability
White House cancels nearly $8B in clean energy projects in blue states
The Trump administration has announced the cancellation of $7.6 billion in funding for clean energy projects across 16 states.
www.pbs.org
October 2, 2025 at 10:05 PM
(1/3) Trump promised cheaper energy. But today his DOE is pulling $8B from projects that would lower costs and strengthen the grid, just as AI data center demand soars. That chills investment, slows construction, and leaves families & small businesses facing higher power bills and weaker reliability
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
i have said this before but when “getting rid of race in admissions” for the administration means “you can’t even try to reach out to underrepresented communities and encourage them to apply and if you do it is illegal discrimination against white people” then the actual goal here is segregation
Harvard Ends Undergraduate Minority Recruitment Program as Trump Targets Race in Admissions | News | The Harvard Crimson
By ending the minority recruitment program in May, Harvard shuttered a more than 50-year-old initiative to encourage minority high school students to apply.
www.thecrimson.com
September 15, 2025 at 12:16 PM
i have said this before but when “getting rid of race in admissions” for the administration means “you can’t even try to reach out to underrepresented communities and encourage them to apply and if you do it is illegal discrimination against white people” then the actual goal here is segregation
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
If you want to build a bunch of AI data centers, and also pull the rug out from under the wind, solar + battery industries that contributed **94%** of all new generation last year, you're gonna end up with an energy affordability crisis.
From @asteephen.bsky.social:
time.com/7312151/ener...
From @asteephen.bsky.social:
time.com/7312151/ener...
Energy Costs are Rising. Trump and Big Tech Are to Blame
On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump promised to cut energy costs in half. Now, energy costs are skyrocketing.
time.com
September 4, 2025 at 5:55 PM
If you want to build a bunch of AI data centers, and also pull the rug out from under the wind, solar + battery industries that contributed **94%** of all new generation last year, you're gonna end up with an energy affordability crisis.
From @asteephen.bsky.social:
time.com/7312151/ener...
From @asteephen.bsky.social:
time.com/7312151/ener...
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
READ: ESP Fellow @asteephen.bsky.social breaks down why families are facing higher energy bills—from the rollback of clean energy incentives to the rapid growth of AI data centers—and how these shifts are raising costs for families.
Energy bills are rising nationwide, and Trump and the GOP are to blame. They rolled back clean energy incentives and greenlit an AI surge, pushing costs onto working families and deepening economic & environmental inequality. I break it down in TIME today: time.com/7312151/ener...
Energy Costs are Rising. Trump and Big Tech Are to Blame
On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump promised to cut energy costs in half. Now, energy costs are skyrocketing.
time.com
August 29, 2025 at 4:46 PM
READ: ESP Fellow @asteephen.bsky.social breaks down why families are facing higher energy bills—from the rollback of clean energy incentives to the rapid growth of AI data centers—and how these shifts are raising costs for families.
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
NEW PIECE: Powell and the Federal Reserve System has already failed to meet the moment and not defending Lisa Cook will seal both Powell's and the Fed's fate.
www.crisesnotes.com/powell-will-...
www.crisesnotes.com/powell-will-...
Powell Will Hang Separately: The Federal Reserve Has Already Failed its Duty to Lisa Cook and the Constitution
This is a free Notes on the Crises article. A reminder to readers that the various activities run out of the still-new Notes on the Crises office cost money, while an enormous amount of time and effor...
www.crisesnotes.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:56 AM
NEW PIECE: Powell and the Federal Reserve System has already failed to meet the moment and not defending Lisa Cook will seal both Powell's and the Fed's fate.
www.crisesnotes.com/powell-will-...
www.crisesnotes.com/powell-will-...
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
i find this image so fascinating. it is both a literal example of authoritarianism but also a second-hand reproduction of the aesthetics of other authoritarian states. it's like a simulacra of authoritarianism whose purpose is to attempt to make the simulacra real.
This is a real photograph of Washington, DC this week, where the United States president has ordered military occupation in peacetime, and ordered the display of colossal portraits of himself.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
August 28, 2025 at 1:38 PM
i find this image so fascinating. it is both a literal example of authoritarianism but also a second-hand reproduction of the aesthetics of other authoritarian states. it's like a simulacra of authoritarianism whose purpose is to attempt to make the simulacra real.
Energy bills are rising nationwide, and Trump and the GOP are to blame. They rolled back clean energy incentives and greenlit an AI surge, pushing costs onto working families and deepening economic & environmental inequality. I break it down in TIME today: time.com/7312151/ener...
Energy Costs are Rising. Trump and Big Tech Are to Blame
On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump promised to cut energy costs in half. Now, energy costs are skyrocketing.
time.com
August 26, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Energy bills are rising nationwide, and Trump and the GOP are to blame. They rolled back clean energy incentives and greenlit an AI surge, pushing costs onto working families and deepening economic & environmental inequality. I break it down in TIME today: time.com/7312151/ener...
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
Dear journalists:
The President has not fired Lisa Cook. The President is *trying* to illegally fire her.
Your words shape people’s reality. Please be accurate in your reporting.
The President has not fired Lisa Cook. The President is *trying* to illegally fire her.
Your words shape people’s reality. Please be accurate in your reporting.
August 26, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Dear journalists:
The President has not fired Lisa Cook. The President is *trying* to illegally fire her.
Your words shape people’s reality. Please be accurate in your reporting.
The President has not fired Lisa Cook. The President is *trying* to illegally fire her.
Your words shape people’s reality. Please be accurate in your reporting.
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
Trump posts a letter stating that he is removing Fed Governor Lisa Cook
August 26, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Trump posts a letter stating that he is removing Fed Governor Lisa Cook
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
so okay! first piece out from me at Common Wealth
"Beyond Bidenomics: On what is living and what is dead in economic policy"
the argument is that progressives should take credit for the successful parts of the pandemic policy response and build the next Thing
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
"Beyond Bidenomics: On what is living and what is dead in economic policy"
the argument is that progressives should take credit for the successful parts of the pandemic policy response and build the next Thing
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
Beyond Bidenomics | Perspectives
On what is living and what is dead in economic policy.
www.common-wealth.org
August 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM
so okay! first piece out from me at Common Wealth
"Beyond Bidenomics: On what is living and what is dead in economic policy"
the argument is that progressives should take credit for the successful parts of the pandemic policy response and build the next Thing
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
"Beyond Bidenomics: On what is living and what is dead in economic policy"
the argument is that progressives should take credit for the successful parts of the pandemic policy response and build the next Thing
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
NEW PIECE: I'm back, finally, and its a long one. Superficially this moment is a vindication for Central Bank Independence but at a deeper level, cutting the Fed off from its independent agency brethren is its death warrant.
www.crisesnotes.com/trump-vs-pow...
www.crisesnotes.com/trump-vs-pow...
Trump Vs. Powell: The Big Takeaways from Trump’s Assault on the Federal Reserve
Support Notes on the Crises!
Hello readers; I’m long overdue for major updates across a whole range of issues. I have continued to work full time on Notes on the Crises but the work of setting...
www.crisesnotes.com
August 22, 2025 at 10:55 AM
NEW PIECE: I'm back, finally, and its a long one. Superficially this moment is a vindication for Central Bank Independence but at a deeper level, cutting the Fed off from its independent agency brethren is its death warrant.
www.crisesnotes.com/trump-vs-pow...
www.crisesnotes.com/trump-vs-pow...
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
From airfare to rent, companies are using your data to jack up prices.
With your help, ESB experts @bedoyausa.bsky.social and @dohamekki.bsky.social will join @groundwork.bsky.social's @lindsayowens.bsky.social at @sxsw.com to break down these deceptive pricing practices and how to fight back.
With your help, ESB experts @bedoyausa.bsky.social and @dohamekki.bsky.social will join @groundwork.bsky.social's @lindsayowens.bsky.social at @sxsw.com to break down these deceptive pricing practices and how to fight back.
August 20, 2025 at 3:43 PM
From airfare to rent, companies are using your data to jack up prices.
With your help, ESB experts @bedoyausa.bsky.social and @dohamekki.bsky.social will join @groundwork.bsky.social's @lindsayowens.bsky.social at @sxsw.com to break down these deceptive pricing practices and how to fight back.
With your help, ESB experts @bedoyausa.bsky.social and @dohamekki.bsky.social will join @groundwork.bsky.social's @lindsayowens.bsky.social at @sxsw.com to break down these deceptive pricing practices and how to fight back.
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
🎧LEVER TIME: Inside the Trump-Powell fight over Federal Reserve “independence.”
Matt Stoller & Nathan Tankus on how the era of insulating the Fed from democracy has coincided with financial crises, bailouts & a huge upward transfer of wealth.
www.levernews.com/the-fight-fo...
Matt Stoller & Nathan Tankus on how the era of insulating the Fed from democracy has coincided with financial crises, bailouts & a huge upward transfer of wealth.
www.levernews.com/the-fight-fo...
The Fight For Control Of Your Money
What’s at stake in the showdown between President Trump and Jerome Powell of the Federal Reserve?
www.levernews.com
July 24, 2025 at 1:30 PM
🎧LEVER TIME: Inside the Trump-Powell fight over Federal Reserve “independence.”
Matt Stoller & Nathan Tankus on how the era of insulating the Fed from democracy has coincided with financial crises, bailouts & a huge upward transfer of wealth.
www.levernews.com/the-fight-fo...
Matt Stoller & Nathan Tankus on how the era of insulating the Fed from democracy has coincided with financial crises, bailouts & a huge upward transfer of wealth.
www.levernews.com/the-fight-fo...
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
The IRS said clergy and houses of worship should be allowed to make political endorsements, a potential move away from a 71-year-old policy that banned the mixing of religion and politics.
IRS: Churches should be allowed to make political endorsements
Since 1954, the IRS has banned nonprofits — including congregations — from participating in political campaigns. The agency now says political endorsements by churches should be allowed.
wapo.st
July 8, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The IRS said clergy and houses of worship should be allowed to make political endorsements, a potential move away from a 71-year-old policy that banned the mixing of religion and politics.
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
Astoundingly good article from @asteephen.bsky.social on the role of taxation in a democratic society, and what the current US Government is doing to turn the IRS into their own instrument of political control.
www.crisesnotes.com/the-fiscal-s...
www.crisesnotes.com/the-fiscal-s...
The Fiscal State Under Siege: Why People Hate the IRS, and Why You Should Care
How Trump, DOGE, and Project 2025 Are Turning the IRS Into a Tool of Authoritarian Rule
Editor’s Introduction: Hello readers, it's Nathan Tankus and I am very happy to bring to you the first in a l...
www.crisesnotes.com
July 8, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Astoundingly good article from @asteephen.bsky.social on the role of taxation in a democratic society, and what the current US Government is doing to turn the IRS into their own instrument of political control.
www.crisesnotes.com/the-fiscal-s...
www.crisesnotes.com/the-fiscal-s...
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
I have no words
New: Trump has issued a new executive order targeting the solar and wind industries, instructing the Treasury Department to limit how many renewable energy projects can still claim clean electricity credits under OBBA
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Ending Market Distorting Subsidies for Unreliable, Foreign‑Controlled Energy Sources
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1.
www.whitehouse.gov
July 7, 2025 at 11:45 PM
I have no words
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
NEW @crisesnotes.bsky.social PIECE: Today @asteephen.bsky.social & @iraregmi.bsky.social provide a 2nd installment in their series on DOGE at the IRS. Today's piece is on the so-called "modernization" of the IRS's legacy IT systems & the manifold dangers posed
www.crisesnotes.com/inside-doges...
www.crisesnotes.com/inside-doges...
Inside DOGE's Dangerously Hasty IRS Modernization Plan
This is the second installment in the Notes on the Crises series on the IRS. While the first essay traced how the agency has become a political target and potential tool of authoritarianism, this piec...
www.crisesnotes.com
July 2, 2025 at 11:07 AM
NEW @crisesnotes.bsky.social PIECE: Today @asteephen.bsky.social & @iraregmi.bsky.social provide a 2nd installment in their series on DOGE at the IRS. Today's piece is on the so-called "modernization" of the IRS's legacy IT systems & the manifold dangers posed
www.crisesnotes.com/inside-doges...
www.crisesnotes.com/inside-doges...
As Republicans push a reconciliation bill that includes significant cuts to IRS funding don’t miss what’s already underway: DOGE has laid off staff, rushed tech upgrades, and is pursuing access to + control of sensitive taxpayer data. More from me + @iraregmi.bsky.social in @crisesnotes.bsky.social
Inside DOGE's Dangerously Hasty IRS Modernization Plan
This is the second installment in the Notes on the Crises series on the IRS. While the first essay traced how the agency has become a political target and potential tool of authoritarianism, this piec...
www.crisesnotes.com
July 2, 2025 at 11:58 AM
As Republicans push a reconciliation bill that includes significant cuts to IRS funding don’t miss what’s already underway: DOGE has laid off staff, rushed tech upgrades, and is pursuing access to + control of sensitive taxpayer data. More from me + @iraregmi.bsky.social in @crisesnotes.bsky.social
Reposted by Anisha Steephen
I know my colleagues already dropped this line (h/t: @brendanvduke.bsky.social ), but it bears repeating - there already exists a rural hospital fund and it is called:
🚨🚨MEDICAID🚨🚨
www.politico.com/live-updates...
🚨🚨MEDICAID🚨🚨
www.politico.com/live-updates...
Senate leadership ponders rural hospital fund to sway megabill holdouts
The fund would help rural hospitals that could be hurt by the Senate's cut to provider taxes.
www.politico.com
June 18, 2025 at 10:55 PM
I know my colleagues already dropped this line (h/t: @brendanvduke.bsky.social ), but it bears repeating - there already exists a rural hospital fund and it is called:
🚨🚨MEDICAID🚨🚨
www.politico.com/live-updates...
🚨🚨MEDICAID🚨🚨
www.politico.com/live-updates...