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Lawrence Katz

@lkatz42.bsky.social

6.5K followers 590 following 4 posts

Economist studying labor markets, inequality, and economics of social problems

Economics 50%

Sociology 12%

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Tatyana Deryugina @tderyugina.bsky.social · Aug 27

Over 125 economists signed the open letter calling on the President, Congress, and the American public to uphold the principles of Federal Reserve independence and not remove Lisa Cook without due process.

There's still time to sign! And please share.

#EconSky

docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Click here to add your signature. An Open Letter from Economists in Support of Governor Lisa Cook and Federal Reserve Independence To the President, Members of Congress, and the American public: We wr...

docs.google.com

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz, Ben Sprung-Keyser

Lawrence Katz @lkatz42.bsky.social · Nov 16

Insightful and important analysis of the returns and costs of tax audits across the income distribution by Boning, Hendren, and Sprung-Keyser (@bsprungkeyser.bsky.social) now in the QJE (@qjeharvard.bsky.social)

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Nov 16

Recently accepted by #QJE, “A Welfare Analysis of Tax Audits Across the Income Distribution,” by Boning, Hendren, Sprung-Keyser (@bsprungkeyser.bsky.social), and Stuart: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

A Welfare Analysis of Tax Audits Across the Income Distribution

Abstract. We estimate the returns to IRS audits of taxpayers across the income distribution. We find an additional ${\$}$1 spent auditing taxpayers above t

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Dec 28

Recently accepted by #QJE, “The Effects of Medical Debt Relief: Evidence from Two Randomized Experiments,” by Kluender, Mahoney (@nealemahoney.bsky.social), Wong (@francisawong.bsky.social), and Yin: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

The Effects of Medical Debt Relief: Evidence from Two Randomized Experiments*

Abstract. Two in five Americans have medical debt, nearly half of whom owe at least $2,500. Concerned by this burden, governments and private donors have u

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz, Nathan Nunn, Daniel Stone

Stefanie Stantcheva @s-stantcheva.bsky.social · Apr 8

The zero-sum mindset seems more and more relevant in the current environment. Thank you @harvardmagazine.bsky.social
for the video where I explain our research on why zero-sum thinking is so important and where it comes from.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e16o...

Harvard Professor Stefanie Stantcheva on Zero-Sum Political Thinking

YouTube video by Harvard Magazine

www.youtube.com

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Apr 4

Recently accepted by #QJE, “‘Descended from Immigrants and Revolutionists:’ How Family History Shapes Immigration Policymaking,” by Feigenbaum (@jamesfeigenbaum.bsky.social), Palmer (@maxwellpalmer.com), and Schneer: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

“Descended from Immigrants and Revolutionists:” How Family History Shapes Immigration Policymaking*

Abstract. Does family history matter for policymaking in democracies? Linking members of Congress to the census, we observe countries of birth for members,

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

Peter Hull @instrumenthull.bsky.social · Mar 11

I had a lot of fun talking to @jenniferdoleac.bsky.social on her Probable Causation podcast about the IGNITE program: an innovative jail-based rehabilitative program in Flint, Michigan

www.probablecausation.com/podcasts/epi...

Episode 113: Peter Hull — Probable Causation

Date: March 11, 2025

www.probablecausation.com

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Mar 9

Recently accepted by #QJE, “Voluntary Minimum Wages: The Local Labor Market Effects of National Retailer Policies,” by Derenoncourt and Weil: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

Voluntary Minimum Wages: The Local Labor Market Effects of National Retailer Policies*

Abstract. Low unionization rates, a falling real federal minimum wage, and outsourcing have hampered wage growth in the low-wage sector in the US for sever

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Mar 9

Recently accepted by #QJE, “Micro MPCs and Macro Counterfactuals: The Case of the 2008 Rebates,” by Orchard (@jakeorchard.bsky.social), Ramey, and Wieland: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

Micro MPCs and Macro Counterfactuals: The Case of the 2008 Rebates*

Abstract. We present evidence that the high estimated MPCs from the leading household studies result in implausible macroeconomic counterfactuals. Using th

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz, Martha Starr

Stephen Nuñez @socio-steve.bsky.social · Mar 5

I wrote a short blog post about the tragedy currently unfolding in the evaluation industry. Trump is destroying vital research capacity and decades of instructional knowledge for pocket change. 1/x

rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/the-irr...

The Irreparable Damage Being Done to Federal Policy Research and Evaluation - Roosevelt Institute

Though their goals obviously differed, Republican and Democratic administrations have for decades relied on the work of social scientists both within and outside the government to conduct research on ...

rooseveltinstitute.org

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

Dr. Judith Scott-Clayton @jscottclayton.bsky.social · Feb 13

Sandy Jencks shaped my career. His writing drew me into the Social Sciences as an undergrad. I then had the privilege to learn from him as a PhD student, and he served on my committee. A true scholar and role model I still aspire to. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/b...

Christopher Jencks, a Shaper of Views on Economic Inequality, Dies at 88 (Gift Article)

His clear prose, illuminating data and novel arguments helped transform debates around issues like public education and welfare reform.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz, Ariel Kalil, Eric Dearing , and 1 more Lawrence F. Katz, Ariel Kalil, Eric Dearing, Florencia Torche

Elizabeth Linos @elizabethlinos.bsky.social · Feb 12

Truly one of the greats. He gave us the words and the permission to study inequality in a way that has shifted so many careers and in turn impacted so many lives.

Christopher Jencks, a Shaper of Views on Economic Inequality, Dies at 88 www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/b...

Christopher Jencks, a Shaper of Views on Economic Inequality, Dies at 88

His clear prose, illuminating data and novel arguments helped transform debates around issues like public education and welfare reform.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

Paul Starr @starrprospect.bsky.social · Feb 12

On the loss of a model of intellectual integrity and courage—Christopher Jencks. He showed us how to wade into troubled waters and come out the stronger for it.
@theprospect.bsky.social prospect.org/health/2025-...

The Exemplary Radical Skeptic

Christopher Jencks, one of the Prospect’s founding group, has died.

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

NBER @nber.org · Feb 7

Linking historical Gautreaux desegregation records to long-run outcome to study how moves to white, low-poverty areas impacted Black children's earnings, wealth, and marriage, from Eric Chyn, Robert Collinson, and Danielle H. Sandler https://www.nber.org/papers/w33427

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz, Climent Quintana‐Domeque, Giulia Mascagni , and 2 more Lawrence F. Katz, Climent Quintana‐Domeque, Giulia Mascagni, Danila Serra, David Slusky

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Jan 30

Recently accepted by #QJE, “The Impact of Being Denied a Wanted Abortion on Women and their Children,” by Londoño-Vélez (@jlondonovelez.bsky.social) and Saravia: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

The Impact of Being Denied a Wanted Abortion on Women and Their Children*

Abstract. This paper examines the impact of denying a wanted abortion on women and children in Colombia using high-quality administrative microdata and cre

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz, Martha Bailey, Laura Wherry , and 1 more Lawrence F. Katz, Martha Bailey, Laura Wherry, Johanna Rickne

Paul Goldsmith-Pinkham @paulgp.com · Jan 30

Holy forking shirt balls

"Denial of a wanted abortion has both immediate and lasting effects. It increases a woman’s risk of death by 2.5 p.p within nine months, mainly due to unsafe abortion procedures, and raises the likelihood of carrying the pregnancy to term by 31 p.p. "

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Jan 30

Recently accepted by #QJE, “’Something Works’ in U.S. Jails: Misconduct and Recidivism Effects of the IGNITE Program,” by Alsan, Barnett, Hull, and Yang: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

“Something Works” in U.S. Jails: Misconduct and Recidivism Effects of the IGNITE Program*

Abstract. A longstanding and influential view in U.S. correctional policy is that “nothing works” when it comes to rehabilitating incarcerated individuals.

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Jan 30

Recently accepted by #QJE, “Officer-Involved: The Media Language of Police Killings,” by Moreno-Medina, Ouss, Bayer, and Ba: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

Officer-Involved: The Media Language of Police Killings*

Abstract. This paper examines language patterns in US television news coverage of police killings. We first document that the media use semantic structures

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

AEA Information @aeainformation.bsky.social · Jan 23

Congratulations to @jchaltiwangerum.bsky.social of the University of Maryland who was recognized as a 2024 Distinguished Fellow by Lawrence F. Katz at the #ASSA2025 Annual Meeting. #econsky aeaweb.org/about-aea/ho...

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

AEA Information @aeainformation.bsky.social · Jan 23

Congratulations to Bronwyn H. Hall of @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social who was recognized as a 2024 Distinguished Fellow by Lawrence F. Katz at the #ASSA2025 Annual Meeting. #econsky aeaweb.org/about-aea/ho...

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

AEA Information @aeainformation.bsky.social · Jan 23

Congratulations to William “Sandy” Darity, Jr. of @duke-university.bsky.social who was recognized as a 2024 Distinguished Fellow by Lawrence F. Katz at the #ASSA2025 Annual Meeting. #econsky aeaweb.org/about-aea/ho...

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz, Sabrina Wulff Pabilonia

AEA Information @aeainformation.bsky.social · Jan 23

ICYMI, webcasts of select sessions from the #ASSA2025 meeting in San Francisco on January 3-5 are now available to the public for viewing. #econsky aeaweb.org/conference/w...

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz, Erica Frankenberg

NBER @nber.org · Jan 23

Featured in the latest Digest: "The Impact of a Boston Desegregation Busing Program on Student Outcomes"
https://www.nber.org/digest/202501/impact-boston-desegregation-busing-program-student-outcomes

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz, Anson Au

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Jan 20

Recently accepted by #QJE, “The Diffusion of New Technologies,” by Kalyani (@aakashkalyani.bsky.social), Bloom (@nickbloom.bsky.social), Carvalho, Hassan, Lerner, and Tahoun: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

The Diffusion of New Technologies*

Abstract. We identify phrases associated with novel technologies using textual analysis of patents, job postings, and earnings calls, enabling us to identi

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Jan 20

Recently accepted by #QJE, “The Earnings and Labor Supply of U.S. Physicians,” by Gottlieb (@gottliebecon.bsky.social), Polyakova, Rinz (@kevinrinz.bsky.social), Shiplett, and Udalova (@victoriaudalova.bsky.social): doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

The Earnings and Labor Supply of U.S. Physicians*

Abstract. Is government guiding the invisible hand at the top of the labor market? We use new administrative data to measure physicians’ earnings and estim

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Jan 12

#QJE Feb 2025, #14, “A Cognitive View of Policing,” by Dube, MacArthur, and Shah: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

A Cognitive View of Policing*

Abstract. What causes adverse policing outcomes, such as excessive uses of force and unnecessary arrests? Prevailing explanations focus on problematic offi

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Jan 12

#QJE Feb 2025, #12, “Do Financial Concerns Make Workers Less Productive,” by Kaur, Mullainathan (@sendhil.bsky.social), Oh, and Schilbach (@fschilbach.bsky.social): doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

Do Financial Concerns Make Workers Less Productive?*

Abstract. Workers who are worried about their personal finances may find it hard to focus at work. If so, reducing financial concerns could increase produc

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Jan 12

#QJE Feb 2025, #11, “Mandatory Notice of Layoff, Job Search, and Efficiency,” by Cederlöf, Fredriksson, Nekoei, and Seim (@seimseim.bsky.social): doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

Mandatory Notice of Layoff, Job Search, and Efficiency*

Abstract. In all OECD countries, mandatory notice (MN) policies require firms to inform workers in advance of a layoff. In our theoretical framework, MN he

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Jan 12

#QJE Feb 2025, #10, “War Reparations, Structural Change, and Intergenerational Mobility,” by Matti Mitrunen: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

War Reparations, Structural Change, and Intergenerational Mobility*

Abstract. From 1944 to 1952, largely agrarian Finland had to export, on average, 4% of its yearly GDP in industrial products to the Soviet Union as war rep

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Jan 12

#QJE Feb 2025, #9, “The Long-Run Impacts of Public Industrial Investment on Local Development and Economic Mobility: Evidence from World War II,” by Garin (@andygarin.bsky.social) and Rothbaum: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

The Long-Run Impacts of Public Industrial Investment on Local Development and Economic Mobility: Evidence from World War II*

Abstract. This article studies the long-run effects of government-led construction of manufacturing plants on the regions where they were built and on indi

Reposted by Lawrence F. Katz

The Quarterly Journal of Economics @qjeharvard.bsky.social · Jan 12

#QJE Feb 2025, #8, “Believed Gender Differences in Social Preferences,” by Exley, Hauser, Moore (@mollymooreplz.bsky.social), and Pezzuto: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...

Believed Gender Differences in Social Preferences*

Abstract. While there is a vast (and mixed) literature on gender differences in social preferences, little is known about believed gender differences in so