Groundwork Collaborative
@groundwork.bsky.social
Building an economy that works for all of us. #WeAreTheEconomy
Instacart says it’s ended its pricing games, but @newyorkstateag.bsky.social
knows that’s not the end of the story.
"AI algorithms use information about you to decide how much you'll pay for items you need. It's unfair, and the Legislature must act."
www.timesunion.com/opinion/arti...
knows that’s not the end of the story.
"AI algorithms use information about you to decide how much you'll pay for items you need. It's unfair, and the Legislature must act."
www.timesunion.com/opinion/arti...
Commentary: New York must set stronger limits on algorithmic pricing
AI algorithms use information about you to decide how much you'll pay for items you need. It's unfair, and the Legislature must act.
www.timesunion.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Instacart says it’s ended its pricing games, but @newyorkstateag.bsky.social
knows that’s not the end of the story.
"AI algorithms use information about you to decide how much you'll pay for items you need. It's unfair, and the Legislature must act."
www.timesunion.com/opinion/arti...
knows that’s not the end of the story.
"AI algorithms use information about you to decide how much you'll pay for items you need. It's unfair, and the Legislature must act."
www.timesunion.com/opinion/arti...
Donald Trump has brought the job market to a screeching halt.
Young and low-income Americans already facing sky-high prices cannot find work, and Trump’s policies are only making it worse.
Young and low-income Americans already facing sky-high prices cannot find work, and Trump’s policies are only making it worse.
NEW from me:
Job growth has been functionally zero over the last five months, as the US sinks from a “low hire, low fire” labor market to a “no hire” one.
That slowdown is hitting young & low income workers the hardest 🧵
www.apricitas.io/p/the-no-hir...
Job growth has been functionally zero over the last five months, as the US sinks from a “low hire, low fire” labor market to a “no hire” one.
That slowdown is hitting young & low income workers the hardest 🧵
www.apricitas.io/p/the-no-hir...
The 'No Hire' Economy
US Job Growth has Zeroed Out as Hiring Rates Sink, Hitting Young & Low Income Workers the Hardest
www.apricitas.io
January 12, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Donald Trump has brought the job market to a screeching halt.
Young and low-income Americans already facing sky-high prices cannot find work, and Trump’s policies are only making it worse.
Young and low-income Americans already facing sky-high prices cannot find work, and Trump’s policies are only making it worse.
If you think credit card companies will "voluntarily" lower their rates, you haven't been paying attention.
Trump’s latest proposal is a head-fake designed to hide his long history of killing real reform. Don’t be fooled.
us.cnn.com/2026/01/09/b...
Trump’s latest proposal is a head-fake designed to hide his long history of killing real reform. Don’t be fooled.
us.cnn.com/2026/01/09/b...
Trump calls for a 10% cap on credit card rates in his latest appeal to affordability concerns | CNN Business
President Donald Trump on Friday called for a one-year, 10% cap on credit card interest rates, saying the American public is being “ripped off” in a Truth Social post.
us.cnn.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:18 PM
If you think credit card companies will "voluntarily" lower their rates, you haven't been paying attention.
Trump’s latest proposal is a head-fake designed to hide his long history of killing real reform. Don’t be fooled.
us.cnn.com/2026/01/09/b...
Trump’s latest proposal is a head-fake designed to hide his long history of killing real reform. Don’t be fooled.
us.cnn.com/2026/01/09/b...
Trump promised to cut energy bills in half.
Instead, utility debt is rising, electricity prices are surging, and he's slashing assistance for households.
“This is going to be a huge deal, both as a policy matter and a political matter.” our @alexsjacquez.bsky.social told BBC.
bit.ly/4buMlfI
Instead, utility debt is rising, electricity prices are surging, and he's slashing assistance for households.
“This is going to be a huge deal, both as a policy matter and a political matter.” our @alexsjacquez.bsky.social told BBC.
bit.ly/4buMlfI
'I had no electricity for six months': American families struggle with soaring energy prices
Rising electricity costs have emerged as a key cost-of-living concern, pushing families further into debt.
www.bbc.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Trump promised to cut energy bills in half.
Instead, utility debt is rising, electricity prices are surging, and he's slashing assistance for households.
“This is going to be a huge deal, both as a policy matter and a political matter.” our @alexsjacquez.bsky.social told BBC.
bit.ly/4buMlfI
Instead, utility debt is rising, electricity prices are surging, and he's slashing assistance for households.
“This is going to be a huge deal, both as a policy matter and a political matter.” our @alexsjacquez.bsky.social told BBC.
bit.ly/4buMlfI
Google wants to turn your chats into a pricing tool—and use it against you.
Big/bad news for consumers. Google is out today with an announcement of how they plan to integrate shopping into their AI offerings including search and Gemini. The plan includes “personalized upselling.” I.e. Analyzing your chat data and using it to overcharge you. 1/2
January 12, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Google wants to turn your chats into a pricing tool—and use it against you.
2025 was the worst year for the labor market since the pandemic-era recession.
Translation: President Trump is as big of a drag on the economy as a global pandemic.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Translation: President Trump is as big of a drag on the economy as a global pandemic.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Employers added 50,000 jobs in December, capping off slow 2025
The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.4 percent, as layoffs remain low despite the worst year for job creation since 2020.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:23 PM
2025 was the worst year for the labor market since the pandemic-era recession.
Translation: President Trump is as big of a drag on the economy as a global pandemic.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Translation: President Trump is as big of a drag on the economy as a global pandemic.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Inflation and the cost of living are now Americans’ top concerns. Consumer confidence is down 25% from this time last year.
The latest jobs report shows weak job growth, rising long-term unemployment, and one of the lowest hiring rates since the pandemic.
The latest jobs report shows weak job growth, rising long-term unemployment, and one of the lowest hiring rates since the pandemic.
January 9, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Inflation and the cost of living are now Americans’ top concerns. Consumer confidence is down 25% from this time last year.
The latest jobs report shows weak job growth, rising long-term unemployment, and one of the lowest hiring rates since the pandemic.
The latest jobs report shows weak job growth, rising long-term unemployment, and one of the lowest hiring rates since the pandemic.
When Black workers—especially Black women—fall behind, it’s a warning sign the economy is cracking.
Even if headline numbers lag, the reality for many workers is clear: the economy is losing steam & leaving the most vulnerable out in the cold.
Even if headline numbers lag, the reality for many workers is clear: the economy is losing steam & leaving the most vulnerable out in the cold.
January 9, 2026 at 4:48 PM
When Black workers—especially Black women—fall behind, it’s a warning sign the economy is cracking.
Even if headline numbers lag, the reality for many workers is clear: the economy is losing steam & leaving the most vulnerable out in the cold.
Even if headline numbers lag, the reality for many workers is clear: the economy is losing steam & leaving the most vulnerable out in the cold.
In December, the U.S. added the fewest number of jobs outside of a recession since 2003.
Trump’s sluggish labor market combined with climbing costs is squeezing working families from both sides.
Trump’s sluggish labor market combined with climbing costs is squeezing working families from both sides.
January 9, 2026 at 2:54 PM
In December, the U.S. added the fewest number of jobs outside of a recession since 2003.
Trump’s sluggish labor market combined with climbing costs is squeezing working families from both sides.
Trump’s sluggish labor market combined with climbing costs is squeezing working families from both sides.
Reposted by Groundwork Collaborative
In my first piece as a @groundwork.bsky.social fellow, I’m previewing #JobsDay. Underemployment and Black unemployment are on the rise, & that usually means a labor market slowdown is coming for the economy overall.
groundworkcollaborative.org/news/are-can...
groundworkcollaborative.org/news/are-can...
January 8, 2026 at 9:51 PM
In my first piece as a @groundwork.bsky.social fellow, I’m previewing #JobsDay. Underemployment and Black unemployment are on the rise, & that usually means a labor market slowdown is coming for the economy overall.
groundworkcollaborative.org/news/are-can...
groundworkcollaborative.org/news/are-can...
Reposted by Groundwork Collaborative
Excited to (re)join Groundwork!
Groundwork is adding two new powerhouse Senior Fellows to our team: @janellecj.bsky.social and @grayflood.bsky.social.
Janelle and Grayson will build on our work to address the driving factors behind price hikes and craft ambitious policy solutions.
Join us in welcoming Janelle and Grayson!
Janelle and Grayson will build on our work to address the driving factors behind price hikes and craft ambitious policy solutions.
Join us in welcoming Janelle and Grayson!
Groundwork Collaborative Adds Leading Economic Policy Experts to Research Operation, Strengthening Work to Address Affordability - Groundwork Collaborative
groundworkcollaborative.org
January 8, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Excited to (re)join Groundwork!
Our @lindsayowens.bsky.social went on @planetmoney.bsky.social to talk all things pricing and our blockbuster Instacart report.
Turns out people don’t want to feel like guinea pigs while they’re just trying to buy groceries.
Turns out people don’t want to feel like guinea pigs while they’re just trying to buy groceries.
Can you trust you're getting the same grocery prices as someone else? : The Indicator from Planet Money
When you're in a grocery store nowadays, chances are your data is being collected. From a swipe of the loyalty card to the purchase of an ice cream pint, your data tells stores what you like, how much...
www.npr.org
January 8, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Our @lindsayowens.bsky.social went on @planetmoney.bsky.social to talk all things pricing and our blockbuster Instacart report.
Turns out people don’t want to feel like guinea pigs while they’re just trying to buy groceries.
Turns out people don’t want to feel like guinea pigs while they’re just trying to buy groceries.
Trump is losing voters thanks to his terrible economic agenda — and he knows it.
“That’s a problem for Republicans & it’s why he’s now throwing as many policies related to cost-of-living & corporate power out over the transom as possible,” our @lindsayowens.bsky.social told @politico.com.
“That’s a problem for Republicans & it’s why he’s now throwing as many policies related to cost-of-living & corporate power out over the transom as possible,” our @lindsayowens.bsky.social told @politico.com.
Morning Money
As economic anxiety drags down Donald Trump's approval ratings, the president is now back to a tried-and-true playbook.
www.politico.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Trump is losing voters thanks to his terrible economic agenda — and he knows it.
“That’s a problem for Republicans & it’s why he’s now throwing as many policies related to cost-of-living & corporate power out over the transom as possible,” our @lindsayowens.bsky.social told @politico.com.
“That’s a problem for Republicans & it’s why he’s now throwing as many policies related to cost-of-living & corporate power out over the transom as possible,” our @lindsayowens.bsky.social told @politico.com.
Signs Trump’s economy isn’t delivering for workers:
📈 The no. of part-time workers who say they want full-time jos jumped sharply to an 8-yr high.
⬆️ A record 9.3M people worked more than 1 job in Nov. - a 10% increase from last yr.
😓 Those with multiple jobs are at its highest level in +25 yrs.
📈 The no. of part-time workers who say they want full-time jos jumped sharply to an 8-yr high.
⬆️ A record 9.3M people worked more than 1 job in Nov. - a 10% increase from last yr.
😓 Those with multiple jobs are at its highest level in +25 yrs.
More workers are stuck in part-time jobs in warning for the economy
More Americans are stuck in part-time positions or having to patch together multiple jobs to make ends meet, employment data shows.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Signs Trump’s economy isn’t delivering for workers:
📈 The no. of part-time workers who say they want full-time jos jumped sharply to an 8-yr high.
⬆️ A record 9.3M people worked more than 1 job in Nov. - a 10% increase from last yr.
😓 Those with multiple jobs are at its highest level in +25 yrs.
📈 The no. of part-time workers who say they want full-time jos jumped sharply to an 8-yr high.
⬆️ A record 9.3M people worked more than 1 job in Nov. - a 10% increase from last yr.
😓 Those with multiple jobs are at its highest level in +25 yrs.
Groundwork is adding two new powerhouse Senior Fellows to our team: @janellecj.bsky.social and @grayflood.bsky.social.
Janelle and Grayson will build on our work to address the driving factors behind price hikes and craft ambitious policy solutions.
Join us in welcoming Janelle and Grayson!
Janelle and Grayson will build on our work to address the driving factors behind price hikes and craft ambitious policy solutions.
Join us in welcoming Janelle and Grayson!
Groundwork Collaborative Adds Leading Economic Policy Experts to Research Operation, Strengthening Work to Address Affordability - Groundwork Collaborative
groundworkcollaborative.org
January 8, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Groundwork is adding two new powerhouse Senior Fellows to our team: @janellecj.bsky.social and @grayflood.bsky.social.
Janelle and Grayson will build on our work to address the driving factors behind price hikes and craft ambitious policy solutions.
Join us in welcoming Janelle and Grayson!
Janelle and Grayson will build on our work to address the driving factors behind price hikes and craft ambitious policy solutions.
Join us in welcoming Janelle and Grayson!
@lindsayowens.bsky.social sat down w/ @mollyjongfast.bsky.social to explain why our Instacart study caught 🔥:
“No one told me that if I signed on to purchase my groceries on Instacart, that I would be a lab rat & that I might end up paying a heck of a lot more than the person sitting next to me."
“No one told me that if I signed on to purchase my groceries on Instacart, that I would be a lab rat & that I might end up paying a heck of a lot more than the person sitting next to me."
January 7, 2026 at 8:27 PM
@lindsayowens.bsky.social sat down w/ @mollyjongfast.bsky.social to explain why our Instacart study caught 🔥:
“No one told me that if I signed on to purchase my groceries on Instacart, that I would be a lab rat & that I might end up paying a heck of a lot more than the person sitting next to me."
“No one told me that if I signed on to purchase my groceries on Instacart, that I would be a lab rat & that I might end up paying a heck of a lot more than the person sitting next to me."
The auto market is becoming a snapshot of our K-shaped economy: households earning over $150,000 now account for 43% of new car purchases, while buyers under $75,000 are increasingly shut out.
When the average new car tops $50,000, it’s a sign Trump’s economy is rigged.
thehill.com/business/567...
When the average new car tops $50,000, it’s a sign Trump’s economy is rigged.
thehill.com/business/567...
January 7, 2026 at 6:59 PM
The auto market is becoming a snapshot of our K-shaped economy: households earning over $150,000 now account for 43% of new car purchases, while buyers under $75,000 are increasingly shut out.
When the average new car tops $50,000, it’s a sign Trump’s economy is rigged.
thehill.com/business/567...
When the average new car tops $50,000, it’s a sign Trump’s economy is rigged.
thehill.com/business/567...
Amazon has been accused of price gouging during the pandemic, & the evidence is pretty damning.
Amazon hiked prices by:
💊233% on Aleve pain relief tablets
🧻 1,044% on Quilted Northern toilet paper
💪 1,523% on Arm & Hammer baking soda
😷 1,800% on some face masks
Amazon hiked prices by:
💊233% on Aleve pain relief tablets
🧻 1,044% on Quilted Northern toilet paper
💪 1,523% on Arm & Hammer baking soda
😷 1,800% on some face masks
Amazon must face price gouging lawsuit, U.S. judge rules
A U.S. judge on Monday rejected Amazon's bid to dismiss a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing the retailer of price gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic.
www.cnbc.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Amazon has been accused of price gouging during the pandemic, & the evidence is pretty damning.
Amazon hiked prices by:
💊233% on Aleve pain relief tablets
🧻 1,044% on Quilted Northern toilet paper
💪 1,523% on Arm & Hammer baking soda
😷 1,800% on some face masks
Amazon hiked prices by:
💊233% on Aleve pain relief tablets
🧻 1,044% on Quilted Northern toilet paper
💪 1,523% on Arm & Hammer baking soda
😷 1,800% on some face masks
In his first few days, NYC Mayor Mamdani's 2 new EOs strike at the heart of today’s rigged economy: junk fees & hidden charges.
“It is hard enough to live in NYC without having to worry all the time about whether you’re being ripped off,” he said. We’d say that’s true for most of America right now.
“It is hard enough to live in NYC without having to worry all the time about whether you’re being ripped off,” he said. We’d say that’s true for most of America right now.
Mamdani Targets Junk Fees and Hidden Charges in Two Executive Orders
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:55 PM
In his first few days, NYC Mayor Mamdani's 2 new EOs strike at the heart of today’s rigged economy: junk fees & hidden charges.
“It is hard enough to live in NYC without having to worry all the time about whether you’re being ripped off,” he said. We’d say that’s true for most of America right now.
“It is hard enough to live in NYC without having to worry all the time about whether you’re being ripped off,” he said. We’d say that’s true for most of America right now.
In just the past 5 years, the median income a family needs to afford a home has ballooned by nearly 50% - now up to $117,000!
Our new brief lays out how the federal government can take targeted, concrete actions to reverse the affordability crisis.
Our new brief lays out how the federal government can take targeted, concrete actions to reverse the affordability crisis.
Report Urges US Government Relief for Homebuyers as Costs Spin ‘Out of Control’ | Common Dreams
As mortgage rates soar and home affordability plummets, Groundwork Collaborative urges the government to act. Are you tired of feeling trapped in your starter home? Want to see real change in the hous...
www.commondreams.org
January 5, 2026 at 6:41 PM
In just the past 5 years, the median income a family needs to afford a home has ballooned by nearly 50% - now up to $117,000!
Our new brief lays out how the federal government can take targeted, concrete actions to reverse the affordability crisis.
Our new brief lays out how the federal government can take targeted, concrete actions to reverse the affordability crisis.
Thanks to dynamic pricing & other pricing schemes, “many sports, live events, games, matches, are out of reach for many Americans.”
“It is certainly the case that wealthier Americans are doing more in-person attendance at events,” @lindsayowens.bsky.social told @theathletic.com.
“It is certainly the case that wealthier Americans are doing more in-person attendance at events,” @lindsayowens.bsky.social told @theathletic.com.
How U.S. sports tickets got so expensive – and why it shocks the rest of the world
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Thanks to dynamic pricing & other pricing schemes, “many sports, live events, games, matches, are out of reach for many Americans.”
“It is certainly the case that wealthier Americans are doing more in-person attendance at events,” @lindsayowens.bsky.social told @theathletic.com.
“It is certainly the case that wealthier Americans are doing more in-person attendance at events,” @lindsayowens.bsky.social told @theathletic.com.
Reposted by Groundwork Collaborative
Unfortunately, Instacart’s predatory pricing is just one small piece of a much larger–and rapidly growing–economy of extraction, says @lindsayowens.bsky.social of @groundwork.bsky.social.
Instacart, Stop Using American Shoppers as Lab Rats During an Affordability Crisis
The grocery delivery app is conducting large-scale, hidden pricing experiments on unsuspecting shoppers to determine just how much money they can extract from customers on the groceries they buy to feed their families.
www.commondreams.org
December 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Unfortunately, Instacart’s predatory pricing is just one small piece of a much larger–and rapidly growing–economy of extraction, says @lindsayowens.bsky.social of @groundwork.bsky.social.
As 2025 comes to a close, Americans are taking stock of an economy that looks nothing like what Trump promised.
We wrapped up Trump’s performance this year and the numbers are pretty rough (unless you’re a billionaire).
We wrapped up Trump’s performance this year and the numbers are pretty rough (unless you’re a billionaire).
December 23, 2025 at 7:08 PM
As 2025 comes to a close, Americans are taking stock of an economy that looks nothing like what Trump promised.
We wrapped up Trump’s performance this year and the numbers are pretty rough (unless you’re a billionaire).
We wrapped up Trump’s performance this year and the numbers are pretty rough (unless you’re a billionaire).
Reposted by Groundwork Collaborative
Read more about the results of our work with @groundwork.bsky.social and @consumerreports.org:
apnews.com/article/inst....
apnews.com/article/inst....
Instacart ends a program where users could see different prices for the same item at the same store
Instacart is ending a program where customers saw different prices for the same product ordered at the same time from the same store.
apnews.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Read more about the results of our work with @groundwork.bsky.social and @consumerreports.org:
apnews.com/article/inst....
apnews.com/article/inst....
This morning, Instacart announced it will end its use of AI-powered pricing experiments following our report with @moreperfectunion.bsky.social & @consumerreports.org.
BREAKING: Instacart is ending all price testing on its platform in the wake of this report.
EXCLUSIVE: We found that Instacart is using AI algorithms to charge customers different prices for the same items.
It's not just online. It's in physical grocery stores too.
Our months-long investigation with @consumerreports.org and @groundwork.bsky.social found it could cost families $1200/year.
It's not just online. It's in physical grocery stores too.
Our months-long investigation with @consumerreports.org and @groundwork.bsky.social found it could cost families $1200/year.
December 22, 2025 at 3:44 PM
This morning, Instacart announced it will end its use of AI-powered pricing experiments following our report with @moreperfectunion.bsky.social & @consumerreports.org.