Bryce Covert
@brycecovert.bsky.social
Journalist writing about the economy. Contributing writer at @thenation.com and member of @fspnwu.bsky.social. Send tips to [email protected] or on Signal: brycecovert.25 she/her
Pinned
Bryce Covert
@brycecovert.bsky.social
· Dec 3
Are you facing unfair or unsafe conditions at work? Have you been denied a government benefit or run into arbitrary barriers? You can always send me a tip: [email protected]
Reposted by Bryce Covert
BREAKING
The Trump administration just terminated funding for as many as 2,000 substance abuse programs across the country
As much as $2B worth of cuts, bc programs supposedly don't align w/priorities -- though not clear why www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-take...
The Trump administration just terminated funding for as many as 2,000 substance abuse programs across the country
As much as $2B worth of cuts, bc programs supposedly don't align w/priorities -- though not clear why www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-take...
Trump Takes Another Blowtorch to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service
Potentially $2b was just cut from a key HHS agency with bipartisan support.
www.thebulwark.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:12 PM
BREAKING
The Trump administration just terminated funding for as many as 2,000 substance abuse programs across the country
As much as $2B worth of cuts, bc programs supposedly don't align w/priorities -- though not clear why www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-take...
The Trump administration just terminated funding for as many as 2,000 substance abuse programs across the country
As much as $2B worth of cuts, bc programs supposedly don't align w/priorities -- though not clear why www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-take...
Reposted by Bryce Covert
Last night, The Minneapolis Federation of Educators Local 59 signed on to the call for a Jan 23 shutdown. That brings total labor support to: the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1005, SEIU Local 26, UNITE HERE Local 17, CWA Local 7250, St. Paul Federation of Educators Local 28, and the MFE 59
Unions and community orgs are calling for a Minnesota-wide shutdown in 10 days to protest the ferocious assault by federal immigration agents. They're saying on Jan 23, no work, no school, no shopping. SEIU Local 26, UNITE HERE Local 17, & others are supporting, w/ more to join. By me, Amie Stager
“We Are Facing a Tsunami of Hate”: Amid ICE Crackdown, Unions and Community Groups Call for Minnesota Shutdown in 10 Days
Following the ICE murder of Renee Good and an assault on the state by federal immigration forces, a labor-community coalition is calling for residents to refuse to work, shop or go to school on Januar...
inthesetimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Last night, The Minneapolis Federation of Educators Local 59 signed on to the call for a Jan 23 shutdown. That brings total labor support to: the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1005, SEIU Local 26, UNITE HERE Local 17, CWA Local 7250, St. Paul Federation of Educators Local 28, and the MFE 59
You know where there's actual rampant fraud? In TANF, and in deep red Mississippi. Trump doesn't seem to actually care about that, though. Wonder why. www.thenation.com/article/soci...
The Real Welfare Fraud Scandal
If the Trump administration were truly concerned with fraud in social services spending, it wouldn’t start with childcare, and it wouldn’t start with Minnesota.
www.thenation.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:23 PM
You know where there's actual rampant fraud? In TANF, and in deep red Mississippi. Trump doesn't seem to actually care about that, though. Wonder why. www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Trump talks about affordable housing but his administration deleted the FHFA divisions that handled fair lending and affordability www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/b...
As Trump Pushes Housing Affordability, His Mortgage Chief Undermines It
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Trump talks about affordable housing but his administration deleted the FHFA divisions that handled fair lending and affordability www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/b...
Reposted by Bryce Covert
Using deadly force to make ourselves poorer
I have a new report out with @wendyedelberg.bsky.social and
@taraelizwatson.bsky.social on the macro implications of US immigration flows. Net migration was down dramatically in 2025 and will remain low/negative in 2026, leading to much lower monthly employment growth and slower GDP growth.
@taraelizwatson.bsky.social on the macro implications of US immigration flows. Net migration was down dramatically in 2025 and will remain low/negative in 2026, leading to much lower monthly employment growth and slower GDP growth.
January 13, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Using deadly force to make ourselves poorer
Reposted by Bryce Covert
The Minnesota Department of Human Services’ effort to quash fraud has led to a new problem: Disabled Medicaid recipients aren’t getting the services they need and are legally entitled to, according to attorneys for the disabled.
Advocates say DHS, spooked by fraud, neglects its responsibilities toward disabled • Minnesota Reformer
The Minnesota Department of Human Services’ effort to quash fraud has led to a new problem: Disabled Medicaid recipients aren’t getting the services they need and are legally entitled to, according to...
minnesotareformer.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:27 PM
The Minnesota Department of Human Services’ effort to quash fraud has led to a new problem: Disabled Medicaid recipients aren’t getting the services they need and are legally entitled to, according to attorneys for the disabled.
The Trump administration's new restrictions on childcare funding, implemented after it hyped up fraud allegations in Minnesota, has already led to at least one program closure fox2now.com/news/missour...
fox2now.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:49 PM
The Trump administration's new restrictions on childcare funding, implemented after it hyped up fraud allegations in Minnesota, has already led to at least one program closure fox2now.com/news/missour...
Trump took the (old, already investigated) allegations of fraud in Minnesota's childcare system and used them as an excuse to restrict funding everywhere www.the74million.org/zero2eight/t...
Trump’s Effort to Restrict Child Care Funding Puts Programs and Families at Risk
The government’s changes to child care funding in the wake of fraud allegations in Minnesota could cause disruptions for providers and families.
www.the74million.org
January 12, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Trump took the (old, already investigated) allegations of fraud in Minnesota's childcare system and used them as an excuse to restrict funding everywhere www.the74million.org/zero2eight/t...
Day 12 and the new mayor is already walking a picket line
NYSNA nurses go wild as Mayor Zohran Mamdani arrives at the picket line in Washington Heights @thecity.nyc
January 12, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Day 12 and the new mayor is already walking a picket line
Here are all the ways the Trump administration is trying to cut off childcare funding using the overhyped, warmed over fraud allegations in Minnesota as justification www.the74million.org/zero2eight/t...
Trump’s Effort to Restrict Child Care Funding Puts Programs and Families at Risk
The government’s changes to child care funding in the wake of fraud allegations in Minnesota could cause disruptions for providers and families.
www.the74million.org
January 12, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Here are all the ways the Trump administration is trying to cut off childcare funding using the overhyped, warmed over fraud allegations in Minnesota as justification www.the74million.org/zero2eight/t...
As Trump attempts to veer into "populist" policies against Wall Street, can we please, please judge him by what he's doing, not what he's saying?
January 12, 2026 at 2:30 PM
As Trump attempts to veer into "populist" policies against Wall Street, can we please, please judge him by what he's doing, not what he's saying?
His administration's actions have already told us this, but it doesn't get more clearcut than Trump calling the Civil Rights Act "reverse discrimination" www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
Trump Says Civil Rights Led to White People Being ‘Very Badly Treated’
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:27 PM
His administration's actions have already told us this, but it doesn't get more clearcut than Trump calling the Civil Rights Act "reverse discrimination" www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
Reposted by Bryce Covert
In case AI data centers seem inevitable, @lelanargi.bsky.social looked at the farmers and farm communities all over the country that are pushing back — and succeeding:
ambrook.com/offrange/lan...
ambrook.com/offrange/lan...
This Land Is Their Land - Offrange
Farmers are fighting AI companies offering fortunes to build data centers on their land. Can they withstand the pressure — and live to farm another day?
ambrook.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:13 PM
In case AI data centers seem inevitable, @lelanargi.bsky.social looked at the farmers and farm communities all over the country that are pushing back — and succeeding:
ambrook.com/offrange/lan...
ambrook.com/offrange/lan...
Reposted by Bryce Covert
The real story behind child care fraud in Minnesota is far less nefarious than what is purported.
Here’s what we actually know about child care fraud in Minnesota and elsewhere, and how day cares and families may be impacted by the new changes.
@chabeli.bsky.social reports.
Here’s what we actually know about child care fraud in Minnesota and elsewhere, and how day cares and families may be impacted by the new changes.
@chabeli.bsky.social reports.
Here's what's really happening with child care fraud in Minnesota
Evidence is nowhere near the epidemic levels a viral YouTube video would suggest — but it hasn’t stopped a crackdown on child care funding. Here's a fact check.
19thnews.org
January 9, 2026 at 7:25 PM
The real story behind child care fraud in Minnesota is far less nefarious than what is purported.
Here’s what we actually know about child care fraud in Minnesota and elsewhere, and how day cares and families may be impacted by the new changes.
@chabeli.bsky.social reports.
Here’s what we actually know about child care fraud in Minnesota and elsewhere, and how day cares and families may be impacted by the new changes.
@chabeli.bsky.social reports.
Reposted by Bryce Covert
The unemployment rate is higher than at the start of the year (4.4% vs 4.0%). Black unemployment (7.5%) is far higher than any other group and up since in Jan (6.2%). Unemployment rise was worst for Black women (7.8% in Dec vs 5.4% in Jan). See www.epi.org/blog/whats-b... for more context.
#EconSky
#EconSky
January 9, 2026 at 2:49 PM
The unemployment rate is higher than at the start of the year (4.4% vs 4.0%). Black unemployment (7.5%) is far higher than any other group and up since in Jan (6.2%). Unemployment rise was worst for Black women (7.8% in Dec vs 5.4% in Jan). See www.epi.org/blog/whats-b... for more context.
#EconSky
#EconSky
Biden handed Trump a really healthy economy, despite the vibes. This is what Trump did with it.
2025 is now, officially, the worst year for job creation outside of recession since 2003.
@byheatherlong.bsky.social
@byheatherlong.bsky.social
January 9, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Biden handed Trump a really healthy economy, despite the vibes. This is what Trump did with it.
Reposted by Bryce Covert
our takeaway: we can reduce rates of foster care without increasing the risk of child death from abuse and neglect. prevention and material supports are effective and dramatically less harmful than investigation + foster care.
January 8, 2026 at 3:51 PM
our takeaway: we can reduce rates of foster care without increasing the risk of child death from abuse and neglect. prevention and material supports are effective and dramatically less harmful than investigation + foster care.
Reposted by Bryce Covert
foster care has been on the decline nationally over the past ten years. that's a good thing! but there's a group that routinely argue that this is putting kids in danger. @kelleyfong.bsky.social; @bobapel.bsky.social and I checked the evidence (it's null 1/n) jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Foster Care and Child Maltreatment Mortality Rates in the US
This cross-sectional study of children in state-supervised foster care assesses deaths due to child maltreatment and whether these fatalities are associated with foster care entry rates.
jamanetwork.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:51 PM
foster care has been on the decline nationally over the past ten years. that's a good thing! but there's a group that routinely argue that this is putting kids in danger. @kelleyfong.bsky.social; @bobapel.bsky.social and I checked the evidence (it's null 1/n) jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
"At least four people have been killed and five others have been injured." www.thetrace.org/2025/12/immi...
How Many People Have Been Shot in ICE Raids?
The Trace is tracking gun incidents connected to Trump’s immigration crackdown. Know of one? Please be in touch.
www.thetrace.org
January 8, 2026 at 2:16 PM
"At least four people have been killed and five others have been injured." www.thetrace.org/2025/12/immi...
This is really big. de Blasio had to fight Cuomo tooth and nail to fund universal pre-K. Hochul is committing to funding not just pre-K and 3K in NYC but 2s as well.
New: Gov. Hochul is set to propose an expansion of universal pre-K statewide, funding for Mayor Mamdani's 2-Care program and pilots of additional child care expansions in select parts of the state. The pair will be in BK this morning with more details www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2026/...
Hochul to unveil plan for universal child care
The governor's path to universal child care starts with statewide pre-K and funding for 2Care in New York City.
www.cityandstateny.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:07 PM
This is really big. de Blasio had to fight Cuomo tooth and nail to fund universal pre-K. Hochul is committing to funding not just pre-K and 3K in NYC but 2s as well.
The legacy of the Fight for 15: for the first time, more Americans live in states with $15 minimum wages than $7.25 minimum wages www.epi.org/blog/over-8-...
Over 8.3 million workers will benefit from minimum wage increases on January 1: Nineteen states will raise their minimum wages. Here’s where.
Nineteen states will increase their minimum wages on January 1, boosting earnings for more than 8.3 million workers by a total of $5 billion. In addition, 47 cities and counties will raise their minim...
www.epi.org
January 8, 2026 at 1:19 PM
The legacy of the Fight for 15: for the first time, more Americans live in states with $15 minimum wages than $7.25 minimum wages www.epi.org/blog/over-8-...
Trump’s decision to cut off all TANF money to New York will close domestic violence shelters
January 7, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Trump’s decision to cut off all TANF money to New York will close domestic violence shelters
Reposted by Bryce Covert
Democrats pre-announcing they will not use their leverage is an invitation for this president. Sure enough, he has cut off social services spending to 5 states, despite a signed appropriation for them. We're still in a slow-motion shutdown. From me:
prospect.org/2026/01/07/t...
prospect.org/2026/01/07/t...
If Democrats Won’t Shut Down the Government, Trump Will - The American Prospect
Congress is moving to avoid another lapse in funding, but a freeze in welfare support to blue states shows what’s missing in the debate.
prospect.org
January 7, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Democrats pre-announcing they will not use their leverage is an invitation for this president. Sure enough, he has cut off social services spending to 5 states, despite a signed appropriation for them. We're still in a slow-motion shutdown. From me:
prospect.org/2026/01/07/t...
prospect.org/2026/01/07/t...
The only person in New York City who’s allowed to play amplified music in public is the gentleman blasting Motown on his walk in the park.
January 6, 2026 at 10:11 PM
The only person in New York City who’s allowed to play amplified music in public is the gentleman blasting Motown on his walk in the park.