Stuart Shapiro

@stuartshapiroblou.bsky.social

2K followers 360 following 1.1K posts

Dean of Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Obsessed with baseball, basketball, regulation, TV

Stuart S. Shapiro is a producer, writer, director, and Internet entrepreneur. Shapiro began his career as an independent film distributor in 1974 by starting International Harmony which distributed cult classics TunnelVision, Neil Young's Rust Never Sleeps, Bob Marley's Reggae Sunsplash, The Sex Pistols' DOA, and Tarzoon: Shame of the Jungle. .. more

Business 30%

Economics 28%

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Reposted by Will Jennings, Michael A. Clemens, David R. Miller , and 7 more Will Jennings, Michael A. Clemens, David R. Miller, Jacob T. Levy, Elizabeth Stevenson, W Grant, Stuart White, Blair Fix, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Stuart Shapiro

Andy Craig @andycraig.bsky.social · 12h

Common Sense, published 250 years ago today.

Men who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent; selected from the rest of mankind their minds are early poisoned by importance; and the world they act in differs so materially from the world at large, that they have but little opportunity of knowing its true interests, and when they succeed to the government are frequently the most ignorant and unfit of any throughout the dominions.

Stuart Shapiro @stuartshapiroblou.bsky.social · 13h

The challenge for all of those (us) who hate Vance is that if Trump does die he gets to run for the nomination as incumbent.

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Elizabeth Saunders, Brendan Nyhan , and 5 more Anna O. Law, Elizabeth Saunders, Brendan Nyhan, John Horgan, Mary Jane Curry, Dan Immergluck, Kevin Grant, Stuart Shapiro

Nick Bednar @nicholasbednar.bsky.social · 17h

I can't describe how bad Minneapolis feels right now. My neighbors are pulling kids out of school. The public schools are offering remote learning until 2/12. We are having conversations in our alleys about how to protect ourselves. It feels like a military occupation with a blockade.

Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · 1d

The US Department of Agriculture suspends all federal funding to Minnesota, effective immediately.

January 9, 2026
THE HONORABLE TIM WALZ
Governor of Minesota
130 State Capitol
75 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bivd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
THE HONORABLE JACOB FREY
Mayor of the City of Minneapolis
City Hail
350S. Fifth St., Room 330
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Dear Governor Walz and Mayor Frey,
It is my responsibility as Secretary of Agriculture to ensure sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars by climinating fraud, waste and abuse in all programs funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The widespread and systemic fraud associated with federal benefit programs in the State of Minnesota and the City of Minneapolis demonstrate an inability to handle federal resources without additional oversight and accountability measures in place.
During your tenures as Governor of Minnesota and Mayor of Minneapolis, numerous non-profits and businesses have defrauded the federal government in what a federal prosecutor in Minnesota called "a staggering, industrial-scale fraud".! Most notably, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit— Feeding Our Future defrauded U.S. taxpayers of nearly $250 million in federal funds given to them by the Minnesota Department of Education.? This fraud scheme involved USDA funding provided to the State of Minnesota to feed hungry children under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). As of late November, 78 defendants had been charged in what the Department of Justice characterized as the largest COVID-19 fraud scheme in the country?
Other recent examples of'alleged fraud in Minnesota include exploitation of the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program", a scheme to defraud the Housing Stabilization
1-Whut te know about Minnesoca' "industrial-scale fraad" scandal, as more charges are fled and Trump weighs in, "CES Nows (Dic. 19, 3025) available at ht:/www.cbsnews.com/news/atas-do-know-alonesota-frawf-candal
were-changes-fled-
tump-water.
/Federal Jury Finds Feeding Our Future Masternind and Co-D…

Services Program", and alleged fraud in daycare centers*, Your Administrations have refused additional accountability and oversight, claiming that criticism of rampant fraud and abuse is
"racist."
While the full extent of fraud in Minnesota is not yet known, it is clear that, under your leadership-
or lack thereof fraudsters can take advantage of federal funds and the American
taxpayer with impunity. This necessitates federal action to protect taxpayer dollars until adequate safeguards can be established.
Despite a staggering, wide-reaching fraud scandal, your Administrations refuse to provide basic information or take common sense mcasures to stop fraud. In fact, rather than conlin your SNAP rolls are accurate to prevent continuing fraud, you asked the courts to block USDA's directive to recertify the State's SNAP recipients. Recent news reports also emerged that the Minnesota Department of Human Services repeatedly reported incorrect information about SNAP to the federal government.? The Trump administration refuses to allow such fraud to continuc.
Therefore, because of your failed Icadership and abysmal financial management oversight, 1 am notifying you that, effective immediately, I am suspending payments on all active awards and any future awards from USDA to the State of Minnesota and the City of Minneapolis, currently totaling over $129.18 million. Within 30 days, you shall provide USDA with payment justifications for all federal dollar expenditures from January 20, 2025, to the present. Going forward, all transactions on awards to the State of Minnesota or the City of Minneapolis will require such payment justification. If those payment justifications are not received, awards will remain suspended.
While your Administrations have turned a blind eye to documented fraud, the Trump Administration has made clear that fraud, waste, and abuse are unacceptable. The American people deserve to know that their taxpayer dollars are helping those in need-not criminals. …

Reposted by Brian A. Nosek, Julie L. Lockwood, Steve Peers , and 1 more Brian A. Nosek, Julie L. Lockwood, Steve Peers, Stuart Shapiro

Kevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 20h

This story is full of gems. Read the whole thing. Here's just one:

Uruguay’s strategy had three elements: regulatory reform, competitive auctions, and diversified domestic resources. The government eliminated longstanding subsidies for fossil fuels and introduced long-term contracts for renewable projects, providing investors with predictable returns. Auctions for wind and solar projects have fostered competition, resulting in lower prices. Customers pay at least 20% less than they did before the transition, while the government has more funds available for education and public services.

Reposted by Anne Applebaum, David R. Miller, Nathan P. Kalmoe , and 2 more Anne Applebaum, David R. Miller, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Stuart Shapiro, David Darmofal

Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 1d

The USDA just cut off ag aid to MN

Erin Maye Quade @erinmayequade.bsky.social · 1d

They’re targeting and invading Minnesota. Cutting off all of our federal funding and flooding our state with federal agents with no purpose. They’re here to terrorize, cause chaos to justify their unlawful cruelty. Enough.

MPR News @mprnews.org · 1d

Federal immigration officers are pulling out of a Louisiana crackdown and heading to Minneapolis in an abrupt pivot from an operation that drew protests around New Orleans and aimed to make thousands of arrests, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · 1d

The US Department of Agriculture suspends all federal funding to Minnesota, effective immediately.

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

George Pearkes @peark.es · 1d

This is the opposite of what companies that actually have a legal department want to hear, because it means contracts can (and likely WILL) be voided in because they weren't authorized by the government of the country in question

*TRUMP: US OIL COMPANIES WILL DEAL WITH US DIRECTLY, NOT CARACAS

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

Rutgers Bloustein School @bloustein.rutgers.edu · 1d

Bloustein School alum Jeremy Zorek (PPP '25) was recently featured in the New York Times as part of a transit challenge to ride every system that still accepts the MetroCard before the iconic fare card fades into history. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/n...

A Farewell Ride With the MetroCard, on Every Transit Line That Uses It

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by James Goodwin, Stuart Shapiro

atticus goldfinch @atticusgf.bsky.social · 1d

not even kidding, Vance should be excommunicated over this

Reposted by Scott L. Greer, Stuart Shapiro

Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 1d

NEW: The full DC Circuit lets stand a 2-1 decision allowing Trump's firing of Cathy Harris from the Merit Systems Protection Board.

They didn't even vote on whether to rehear the case en banc after two Trump appointees (Katsas/Walker) sided with Trump before SCOTUS even heard the FTC firing case.

United States Court of Appeals
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT
No. 25-5037
September Term, 2025
1:25-cv-00412-RC
Filed On: January 9, 2026
Cathy A. Harris, in her personal capacity and in her official capacity as Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board,
Appellee
V.
Scott Bessent, in his official capacity as Secretary of the Treasury, et al.,
Appellants
-------
Consolidated with 25-5055
BEFORE:
Srinivasan, Chief Judge, and Henderson, Millett, Pillard, Wilkins, Katsas, Rao, Walker, Childs, Pan, and Garcia, Circuit Judges
ORDER
Upon consideration of appellee's corrected petition for rehearing en banc, the response thereto, and the absence of a request by any member of the court for a vote, it is
ORDERED that the petition be denied.
Per Curiam

Stuart Shapiro @stuartshapiroblou.bsky.social · 1d

These two things are related. As the clock ticks (toward November 2026) Miller, Vought, Rubio etc. realize they have to move faster to accomplish their policy goals before they get harder.

Stuart Shapiro @stuartshapiroblou.bsky.social · 1d

The problem is that the civil servants aren't making up numbers that the Administration likes.

Reposted by Ryan Enos, Stuart Shapiro

G Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 1d

I thought this was a good piece from Ryan. Democratic (lowercase “d”) electoral competition in America will require a democratic faction to win control of the Republican Party

open.substack.com/pub/ryandeno...

The Future of Democracy Depends on the Republican Party

The Battle for a Liberal Society is Happening Within the Political Right

open.substack.com

Reposted by Elizabeth Saunders, David R. Miller, Stuart Shapiro

Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 1d

Are George W., Obama, Clinton, and Biden out there saying anything about anything these days?? Their silence feels deafening

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

NYU Law Democracy Project @democracyproject.bsky.social · 1d

Next up in our "100 ideas" series — New by Russell Muirhead
@dartmouthartsci.bsky.social — "The End of Constitutional Government"

Part of @nyulaw.bsky.social Democracy Project's "100 Ideas in 100 Days"

Read the full piece here: democracyproject.org/posts/the-en...

The End of Constitutional Government

A broad range of views on democracy to help break the stalemate caused by partisan conflict.

democracyproject.org

Stuart Shapiro @stuartshapiroblou.bsky.social · 1d

11am presumably

Stuart Shapiro @stuartshapiroblou.bsky.social · 1d

I think "My own mind. It's the only thing that can stop me." is more of a tell than people are realizing.

Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 1d

You couldn't really make this up.

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 1d

You couldn't really make this up.

Reposted by Rosemary A. Joyce, Adam Bonica, Scott A. Imberman , and 2 more Rosemary A. Joyce, Adam Bonica, Scott A. Imberman, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Stuart Shapiro

Jake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · 2d

Many are arguing that they wouldn't be acting this way if they thought they were subject to free & fair elections.

Plausible. But another explanation is that they see the writing on the wall--generational backlash--and they're attempting increasingly desparate hail marys

Reposted by Rebecca Tushnet, Stuart Shapiro

Anthony Michael Kreis @anthonymkreis.bsky.social · 2d

He has…sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 2d

17 GOP defectors broke with their party to protect health subsidies—a sharp rebuke to Speaker Mike Johnson.

House passes three-year ACA extension

17 GOP defectors broke with their party to protect health subsidies—a sharp rebuke to Speaker Mike Johnson.

www.motherjones.com

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

Matt Glassman @mattglassman312.bsky.social · 2d

Predictions for 2026.

blog.mattglassman.net/predictions-...

Predictions for 2026

Below are 42 predictions I’ll make for 2026. Predictions are fun, but the goal here is to not just to get things right, it’s to correctly calibrate mysel...

blog.mattglassman.net

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

New Jersey State Policy Lab @njpolicylab.bsky.social · 2d

🎄🏖️ Since the 1960s, discarded #Christmas trees have been integrated into the management and restoration of dunes along the #NJ #shore, going back to when Teamsters Union 153 donated time and equipment to haul 15,000 discarded trees to Long Island Beach, Sandy Hook, and Island #Beach:

Managing Coastal Erosion and Storm Damage: Discarded Christmas Trees Restore Dunes - New Jersey State Policy Lab

Major storms, such as Hurricane Sandy, which destroyed or damaged 346,000 structures across New Jersey in 2012, lead to significant economic losses and disruptions to the state’s tourism industry. San...

policylab.rutgers.edu

Reposted by Julie L. Lockwood, Stuart Shapiro

Rutgers Bloustein School @bloustein.rutgers.edu · 2d

Researchers from CUPR and VTC updated New Jersey's Infrastructure Needs Assessment. The assessment examines long-term infrastructure needs across sectors like water, transportation, flood protection, and more, drawing on federal, state, and local data. bloustein.rutgers.edu/ejb-research...

Stuart Shapiro @stuartshapiroblou.bsky.social · 2d

I just don't understand how any sentence begins, "Trump is going to discover . . ." No, he isn't.

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

Bill Resh @billresh.bsky.social · 2d

The tragedy in Minneapolis was as inevitable as it was unnecessary. This administration is at war with quite literally *most* of the people it's supposed to represent. They are arming thousands of pretend "patriots" who are cosplaying soldiers and law enforcement to terrorize communities. 1/3