Economic Policy Institute
@epi.org
We're a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank using the tools of economics to defend & promote workers' interests in economic policy discussions.
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epi.org
Podcast: epi.org/podcast/
Newsletter: epi.org/signup/
Federal Policy Watch: epi.org/policywatch
Pinned
Economic Policy Institute
@epi.org
· Apr 28
The federal minimum wage is officially a poverty wage in 2025
In 2025, the federal minimum wage is officially a “poverty wage.” The annual earnings of a single adult working full-time, year-round at $7.25 an hour now fall below the poverty threshold of $15,650 (...
www.epi.org
In 2025, the federal minimum wage is officially a poverty wage ⚠️
In the US, no one can live with dignity on $7.25/hr.
But instead of raising the minimum wage, Republicans are trying to cut Medicaid & make it harder for workers to access basic needs programs like SNAP: www.epi.org/blog/the-fed...
In the US, no one can live with dignity on $7.25/hr.
But instead of raising the minimum wage, Republicans are trying to cut Medicaid & make it harder for workers to access basic needs programs like SNAP: www.epi.org/blog/the-fed...
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
Manufacturing is effectively in a recession, losing jobs every month since April, for a total loss of 72,000 jobs.
Since April, essentially all private sector job gains have been in health care: health care added 306,000 jobs over that period, while the private sector overall added just 300,000.
Since April, essentially all private sector job gains have been in health care: health care added 306,000 jobs over that period, while the private sector overall added just 300,000.
Today's #JobsReport tells us the economy is decidedly weaker than a year ago:
-unemployment rate is 4.4%, up from 4.1% last Dec
-payroll employment up 50k; total gain this year only 585k compared to 2.0 million in 2024
-federal employment is down 277k since Jan, a loss of 9.2% federal jobs
#EconSky
-unemployment rate is 4.4%, up from 4.1% last Dec
-payroll employment up 50k; total gain this year only 585k compared to 2.0 million in 2024
-federal employment is down 277k since Jan, a loss of 9.2% federal jobs
#EconSky
January 9, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Manufacturing is effectively in a recession, losing jobs every month since April, for a total loss of 72,000 jobs.
Since April, essentially all private sector job gains have been in health care: health care added 306,000 jobs over that period, while the private sector overall added just 300,000.
Since April, essentially all private sector job gains have been in health care: health care added 306,000 jobs over that period, while the private sector overall added just 300,000.
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
Among women, the unemployment rise has been SHARPEST for Black women according to Dr. Valerie Wilson @epi.org. This is #TheDoubleTax.
January 9, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Among women, the unemployment rise has been SHARPEST for Black women according to Dr. Valerie Wilson @epi.org. This is #TheDoubleTax.
#JobsReport chart giving a lesson in what "decidedly weaker" looks like.
For all the #JobsDay #JOLTS analysis, we turn to @elisegould.bsky.social 👇
For all the #JobsDay #JOLTS analysis, we turn to @elisegould.bsky.social 👇
Today's #JobsReport tells us the economy is decidedly weaker than a year ago:
-unemployment rate is 4.4%, up from 4.1% last Dec
-payroll employment up 50k; total gain this year only 585k compared to 2.0 million in 2024
-federal employment is down 277k since Jan, a loss of 9.2% federal jobs
#EconSky
-unemployment rate is 4.4%, up from 4.1% last Dec
-payroll employment up 50k; total gain this year only 585k compared to 2.0 million in 2024
-federal employment is down 277k since Jan, a loss of 9.2% federal jobs
#EconSky
January 9, 2026 at 1:54 PM
#JobsReport chart giving a lesson in what "decidedly weaker" looks like.
For all the #JobsDay #JOLTS analysis, we turn to @elisegould.bsky.social 👇
For all the #JobsDay #JOLTS analysis, we turn to @elisegould.bsky.social 👇
Unsurprisingly, this WSJ op-ed gets things exactly backward.
In reality, minimum wages are one of the best ways to increase the pay of low-wage workers. Taking away their wage increases will worsen the affordability crisis.
In reality, minimum wages are one of the best ways to increase the pay of low-wage workers. Taking away their wage increases will worsen the affordability crisis.
January 7, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Unsurprisingly, this WSJ op-ed gets things exactly backward.
In reality, minimum wages are one of the best ways to increase the pay of low-wage workers. Taking away their wage increases will worsen the affordability crisis.
In reality, minimum wages are one of the best ways to increase the pay of low-wage workers. Taking away their wage increases will worsen the affordability crisis.
Billionaires have pledged millions to the new Trump Accounts that fail to account for the scope of child poverty and inequity in the US.
This voluntary savings vehicle overlooks the root causes of these issues, framing them as the result of insufficient savings. From @icidmartinez.bsky.social
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This voluntary savings vehicle overlooks the root causes of these issues, framing them as the result of insufficient savings. From @icidmartinez.bsky.social
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Billionaire-funded Trump Accounts won’t end child poverty: But they will widen structural inequities in the U.S. economy
In recent months, uber-rich families and companies have pledged millions of dollars to support a new savings program for children, known as Trump Accounts. In early December, for example, Dell Founder...
www.epi.org
January 6, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Billionaires have pledged millions to the new Trump Accounts that fail to account for the scope of child poverty and inequity in the US.
This voluntary savings vehicle overlooks the root causes of these issues, framing them as the result of insufficient savings. From @icidmartinez.bsky.social
1/
This voluntary savings vehicle overlooks the root causes of these issues, framing them as the result of insufficient savings. From @icidmartinez.bsky.social
1/
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
SNAP benefits help workers find and keep jobs: "None of us really show up into an economy on our own." Ismael Cid-Martinez @epi.org
A look at how Trump-era work requirements could impact people who receive public benefits
The Trump administration made work requirements for low-income people receiving government assistance a priority in 2025.
apnews.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:06 PM
SNAP benefits help workers find and keep jobs: "None of us really show up into an economy on our own." Ismael Cid-Martinez @epi.org
EPI's Margaret Poydock on the record about how low-wage workers are the most vulnerable to wage theft by employers.
It's theft at scale. Recently the District of Columbia and 34 states successfully sued to recover just 3 years of stolen wages...and it amounted to over $200 million.
It's theft at scale. Recently the District of Columbia and 34 states successfully sued to recover just 3 years of stolen wages...and it amounted to over $200 million.
New York Attorney General Sues UPS, Alleges Rampant Wage Theft and Labor Law Violations - Community Sentinel
The lawsuit demands back pay for seasonal workers and changes to the company's payroll practices.
communitysentinel.media
January 6, 2026 at 7:23 PM
EPI's Margaret Poydock on the record about how low-wage workers are the most vulnerable to wage theft by employers.
It's theft at scale. Recently the District of Columbia and 34 states successfully sued to recover just 3 years of stolen wages...and it amounted to over $200 million.
It's theft at scale. Recently the District of Columbia and 34 states successfully sued to recover just 3 years of stolen wages...and it amounted to over $200 million.
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
NEW ANALYSIS: Federal regulatory agencies charged with enforcing wage and workplace safety conditions are taking drastically fewer actions against companies, and proposed rule changes by the administration will give workers even fewer protections. 🧵
goodjobsfirst.org/worker-prote...
goodjobsfirst.org/worker-prote...
Worker Protections in Freefall: The Collapse of Federal Labor Enforcement under the Second Trump Administration - Good Jobs First
Worker Protections in Freefall: The Collapse of Federal Labor Enforcement under the Second Trump Administration - Good Jobs First
goodjobsfirst.org
December 16, 2025 at 3:18 PM
NEW ANALYSIS: Federal regulatory agencies charged with enforcing wage and workplace safety conditions are taking drastically fewer actions against companies, and proposed rule changes by the administration will give workers even fewer protections. 🧵
goodjobsfirst.org/worker-prote...
goodjobsfirst.org/worker-prote...
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
Let’s start the new year by getting the facts straight about our Social Security system.
January 5, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Let’s start the new year by getting the facts straight about our Social Security system.
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
Heidi Shierholz from @epi.org nails it: "Affordability depends on both prices AND wages."
But the debate focuses almost entirely on prices, as if that's the only lever we have.
But the debate focuses almost entirely on prices, as if that's the only lever we have.
January 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Heidi Shierholz from @epi.org nails it: "Affordability depends on both prices AND wages."
But the debate focuses almost entirely on prices, as if that's the only lever we have.
But the debate focuses almost entirely on prices, as if that's the only lever we have.
EPI's Nina Mast on CNBC discussing the harms of 'No Tax on Tips'. The policy solution for increasing take home pay for low wage and tipped workers? Pay them.
#minimumwage #tippedwage #affordability #notaxontips
#minimumwage #tippedwage #affordability #notaxontips
Why No Tax On Tips May Be Making America’s Tipping Problem Worse
YouTube video by CNBC
youtu.be
January 2, 2026 at 3:53 PM
EPI's Nina Mast on CNBC discussing the harms of 'No Tax on Tips'. The policy solution for increasing take home pay for low wage and tipped workers? Pay them.
#minimumwage #tippedwage #affordability #notaxontips
#minimumwage #tippedwage #affordability #notaxontips
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
Leading @epi.org's top publications this year: "Tariffs-Everything you need to know but were afraid to ask.” Just as relevant now as when we published it at the beginning of the year. Still have tariff Q's? Leave them in the comments. www.epi.org/publication/...
December 23, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Leading @epi.org's top publications this year: "Tariffs-Everything you need to know but were afraid to ask.” Just as relevant now as when we published it at the beginning of the year. Still have tariff Q's? Leave them in the comments. www.epi.org/publication/...
You read them, now we rank them.
Here's counting down EPI's top 10 publications from 2025 -- happy holiday reading one and all!
Starting off at 10, it's a banger every year (just pay teachers, people!)...The teacher pay report 1/
Here's counting down EPI's top 10 publications from 2025 -- happy holiday reading one and all!
Starting off at 10, it's a banger every year (just pay teachers, people!)...The teacher pay report 1/
The teacher pay penalty reached a record high in 2024: Three decades of leaving public school teachers behind
Over the past three decades, stagnant weekly wages of public school teachers have fallen further and further behind those of college graduates who chose other careers, resulting in an ever increasing ...
www.epi.org
December 19, 2025 at 11:41 PM
You read them, now we rank them.
Here's counting down EPI's top 10 publications from 2025 -- happy holiday reading one and all!
Starting off at 10, it's a banger every year (just pay teachers, people!)...The teacher pay report 1/
Here's counting down EPI's top 10 publications from 2025 -- happy holiday reading one and all!
Starting off at 10, it's a banger every year (just pay teachers, people!)...The teacher pay report 1/
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
The ACA premium tax credits save lives. For Black Americans in 10 metro areas, the expiration of these credits means:
📝 170,000+ losing health insurance
💰 $740M more in annual premiums
💀 200+ preventable deaths each year
That’s the Republican health care agenda.
New from us & @epi.org.
📝 170,000+ losing health insurance
💰 $740M more in annual premiums
💀 200+ preventable deaths each year
That’s the Republican health care agenda.
New from us & @epi.org.
Ending ACA tax credits would impose high costs on Black Americans in 10 major metro areas: Over 170,000 losing health insurance, $740 million more in annual premiums, and more than 200 preventable dea...
If Congress allows the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits to expire, millions of working families will lose health care coverage while millions of others will face sharply higher p...
www.epi.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:42 PM
The ACA premium tax credits save lives. For Black Americans in 10 metro areas, the expiration of these credits means:
📝 170,000+ losing health insurance
💰 $740M more in annual premiums
💀 200+ preventable deaths each year
That’s the Republican health care agenda.
New from us & @epi.org.
📝 170,000+ losing health insurance
💰 $740M more in annual premiums
💀 200+ preventable deaths each year
That’s the Republican health care agenda.
New from us & @epi.org.
Signs of labor market softening amid significant delays in data availability due to the government shutdown according to @kdoc-writes.bsky.social
The latest on the State Unemployment by Race & Ethnicity →
The latest on the State Unemployment by Race & Ethnicity →
2025 Q3 | State Unemployment by Race and Ethnicity
Signs of labor market softening amid significant delays in data availability due to the government shutdown 2025 Q3 • Updated December 2025 The third quarter of 2025 saw a government shutdown-induced ...
www.epi.org
December 19, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Signs of labor market softening amid significant delays in data availability due to the government shutdown according to @kdoc-writes.bsky.social
The latest on the State Unemployment by Race & Ethnicity →
The latest on the State Unemployment by Race & Ethnicity →
Trump’s DOJ is suing Minneapolis Public Schools over a union contract it falsely labels "discriminatory" against white teachers.
@dskamper.bsky.social & Valerie Wilson set the record straight—showing how the contract protects all educators while preserving a diverse teaching workforce.
@dskamper.bsky.social & Valerie Wilson set the record straight—showing how the contract protects all educators while preserving a diverse teaching workforce.
The Department of Justice is making a mistake by suing Minneapolis Public Schools: The union contract protects all workers while ensuring that Black and brown educators can hold on to good jobs
The U.S. Department of Justice filed suit on Tuesday, December 11, against the Minneapolis school district, alleging that the contract the district signed with the teachers’ union—the Minneapolis Fede...
www.epi.org
December 18, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Trump’s DOJ is suing Minneapolis Public Schools over a union contract it falsely labels "discriminatory" against white teachers.
@dskamper.bsky.social & Valerie Wilson set the record straight—showing how the contract protects all educators while preserving a diverse teaching workforce.
@dskamper.bsky.social & Valerie Wilson set the record straight—showing how the contract protects all educators while preserving a diverse teaching workforce.
Millions of working families will lose coverage and millions more face sharply higher premiums if the ACA tax credits expire.
New analysis from @kdoc-writes.bsky.social and @groundwork.bsky.social's Breyon Williams find Black Americans would face deep losses and financial harm.
New analysis from @kdoc-writes.bsky.social and @groundwork.bsky.social's Breyon Williams find Black Americans would face deep losses and financial harm.
Ending ACA tax credits would impose high costs on Black Americans in 10 major metro areas: Over 170,000 losing health insurance, $740 million more in annual premiums, and more than 200 preventable dea...
If Congress allows the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits to expire, millions of working families will lose health care coverage while millions of others will face sharply higher p...
www.epi.org
December 18, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Millions of working families will lose coverage and millions more face sharply higher premiums if the ACA tax credits expire.
New analysis from @kdoc-writes.bsky.social and @groundwork.bsky.social's Breyon Williams find Black Americans would face deep losses and financial harm.
New analysis from @kdoc-writes.bsky.social and @groundwork.bsky.social's Breyon Williams find Black Americans would face deep losses and financial harm.
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
"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." @epi.org
ow.ly/301a50XKUcb
ow.ly/301a50XKUcb
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...
ow.ly
December 18, 2025 at 4:45 PM
"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." @epi.org
ow.ly/301a50XKUcb
ow.ly/301a50XKUcb
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest data on inflation and real wages. That's where the rubber meets the road on affordability. A weakening economy means workers can't secure higher wages and their standard of living suffers.
#NumbersDay #EconSky @epi.org
#NumbersDay #EconSky @epi.org
December 18, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest data on inflation and real wages. That's where the rubber meets the road on affordability. A weakening economy means workers can't secure higher wages and their standard of living suffers.
#NumbersDay #EconSky @epi.org
#NumbersDay #EconSky @epi.org
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
Earlier this week, we learned that the pace of nominal wage growth has been gradually slowing over the last several months. As the unemployment rate rises—now at 4.6%—workers struggle more to find jobs and have less leverage when it comes to demanding higher wages.
#EconSky @epi.org
#EconSky @epi.org
December 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
The president is touting the job losses in DC as a win against bureaucracy. @elisegould.bsky.social and @epi.org have done a fantastic job tracking and visualizing that data.
The greater DC area is historically the most *accurate* (albeit slower) measure of a downturn.
The greater DC area is historically the most *accurate* (albeit slower) measure of a downturn.
December 17, 2025 at 12:08 AM
The president is touting the job losses in DC as a win against bureaucracy. @elisegould.bsky.social and @epi.org have done a fantastic job tracking and visualizing that data.
The greater DC area is historically the most *accurate* (albeit slower) measure of a downturn.
The greater DC area is historically the most *accurate* (albeit slower) measure of a downturn.
One reason to look forward to 2026: 19 states enact minimum wage increases that will boost pay for over 8.3 million workers.
💵 For the first time, workers in a state with a $15/hr wage floor will outnumber those in states with the federal minimum of $7.25/hr—a poverty wage.
1/
💵 For the first time, workers in a state with a $15/hr wage floor will outnumber those in states with the federal minimum of $7.25/hr—a poverty wage.
1/
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
December 16, 2025 at 7:58 PM
One reason to look forward to 2026: 19 states enact minimum wage increases that will boost pay for over 8.3 million workers.
💵 For the first time, workers in a state with a $15/hr wage floor will outnumber those in states with the federal minimum of $7.25/hr—a poverty wage.
1/
💵 For the first time, workers in a state with a $15/hr wage floor will outnumber those in states with the federal minimum of $7.25/hr—a poverty wage.
1/
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
💡 Did you know that if we #ScrapTheCap on Social Security taxes, many of those who'd pay more into the program would get more benefits back?
📊 @epi.org has more details: www.epi.org/blog/should-...
📊 @epi.org has more details: www.epi.org/blog/should-...
Should high earners support scrapping Social Security’s cap on taxable earnings?
Earnings above a cap aren’t subject to the payroll taxes that fund Social Security. As a result, billionaires pay the same tax as someone earning $176,100 in 2025 (the cap is indexed to the average wa...
www.epi.org
December 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
💡 Did you know that if we #ScrapTheCap on Social Security taxes, many of those who'd pay more into the program would get more benefits back?
📊 @epi.org has more details: www.epi.org/blog/should-...
📊 @epi.org has more details: www.epi.org/blog/should-...
Jumbo-size #JobsDay as BLS makes up for lost time (although there's some lost time)-- as ever @elisegould.bsky.social is on hand to help you digest it.
Today the BLS releases two months of payroll data and one month of household data. A little jarring to see the first gap in data on the unemployment rate in the history of the survey. Second thing to note is that the unemployment rate is now 4.6% a significant rise from 4.0% in January.
#NumbersDay
#NumbersDay
December 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Jumbo-size #JobsDay as BLS makes up for lost time (although there's some lost time)-- as ever @elisegould.bsky.social is on hand to help you digest it.