ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen
@ericagroshen.bsky.social
1.6K followers 120 following 180 posts
Economist, Sr. Econ Advisor at Cornell -ILR. 14th Commissioner of BLS. Formerly at NY & Cleveland Federal Reserve Banks. Now in Seattle!
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · Feb 12
To Bureau of Labor Statistics data users & staffers: be EYES & EARS for the Friends of BLS

These days, the Co-chairs seek news about user experiences & internal changes. We’ll honor your confidentiality.

Share this ask with others & reach out directly with news to Bill Beach, Paul Schroeder or me.
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Reposted by Erica Groshen
cornellilr.bsky.social
Cornell ILR School @cornellilr.bsky.social · 2d
#CornellILR's @ericagroshen.bsky.social, senior labor market advisor and former BLS commissioner, cautions that unreliable or unavailable government data complicates economic decision-making during periods of economic slowdown and uncertainty.
US delays key jobs report due to government shutdown
The United States suspended the publication of a key employment report Friday as a partial government shutdown entered its third day, casting a fog over the health of the world's biggest economy.
www.france24.com
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Reposted by Erica Groshen
cornellilr.bsky.social
Cornell ILR School @cornellilr.bsky.social · 4d
“Without today’s jobs report and next week’s scheduled inflation release, the Federal Reserve, U.S. treasury, financial markets, businesses and households will be flying blind,” said @ericagroshen.bsky.social, #CornellILR senior economics advisor and former BLS commissioner.
US ‘flying blind’ at critical moment for economy, experts warn, with no jobs data amid shutdown
Data was collected for closely-watched jobs report before shutdown, but Trump officials so far defy calls to publish it
www.theguardian.com
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Reposted by Erica Groshen
cornellilr.bsky.social
Cornell ILR School @cornellilr.bsky.social · 5d
The White House has withdrawn its nomination of E.J. Antoni to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

@ericagroshen.bsky.social, senior economics advisor at #CornellILR and former BLS commissioner, provided expert commentary:
“The next BLS Commissioner will face a particularly daunting job, stemming both from current circumstances and long-term challenges for the agency. I know from my own experience that a new Commissioner has much to learn when they step in. “Their path will be easier if they start with a deep professional grounding in economics and federal statistics, a commitment to following the principles and practices that make those statistics trustworthy, and the ability to defend the agency from meddling or unwarranted attacks," said Erica Groshen, senior economics advisor at the Cornell University ILR School.
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Reposted by Erica Groshen
equitablegrowth.bsky.social
Washington Center for Equitable Growth @equitablegrowth.bsky.social · 5d
2/ Bureau of Labor Statistics data inform spending, investment, and location decisions. Former BLS Commissioner @ericagroshen.bsky.social cautions that BLS disruptions could stall choices and raise risks for U.S. households, firms, and the wider economy.
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Reposted by Erica Groshen
cornellilr.bsky.social
Cornell ILR School @cornellilr.bsky.social · 5d
#CornellILR senior econ. advisor @ericagroshen.bsky.social—who was BLS commissioner from 2013-2017—says that “it’s a particularly fraught time because of the economic conditions right now.”

Following a 16-day shutdown in 2013, BLS released info when the govt was back up & running, Groshen explains.
The shutdown means no jobs data—conveniently for Trump
"To lose this source of data at this critical time, it's just a real problem."
www.motherjones.com
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Reposted by Erica Groshen
cornellilr.bsky.social
Cornell ILR School @cornellilr.bsky.social · 6d
#CornellILR senior economics advisor and former Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner @ericagroshen.bsky.social said the president’s next pick for BLS commissioner “needs to be up to a difficult job.”
Donald Trump pulls ally EJ Antoni’s nomination to lead statistics agency
White House also drops bid to name Brian Quintenz as chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
www.ft.com
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Reposted by Erica Groshen
cornellilr.bsky.social
Cornell ILR School @cornellilr.bsky.social · 7d
“It’s another obstacle being thrown in their path,” said @ericagroshen.bsky.social, #CornellILR senior labor market advisor and former Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner, about the potential impact of a federal government shutdown on the bureau’s efforts to hire new staff.
bencasselman.bsky.social
Ben Casselman @bencasselman.bsky.social · 8d
Friday's jobs report will provide key evidence on whether slower hiring is turning into deeper weakness in the labor market.
If there is a jobs report on Friday at all.
My story on how a shutdown could leave us flying blind at a vital moment for the economy. #EconSky
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/b...
Government Shutdown Could Delay Economic Data at a Critical Moment
www.nytimes.com
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 13d
@aaronsojourner.org @maryjomitchell.bsky.social @jedkolko.bsky.social @apduorg.bsky.social @copafs.bsky.social @nabe-econ.bsky.social @cossa.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 13d
#statistics #data #datascience #federalstatistics #datainfrastructure #federaldata #economicstatistics #officialstatistics #statisticalagencies #infrastructure
#economicdata #economics
#regionaldata #bigdata #statedata
#BLS #BEA #Census #ERS #SOI #NASS #NCSES #ORES #EIA #NCES #NCHS #BJS #BTS
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 13d
Here's a new GAO report on the federal statistical system's need to modernize and adapt to a rapidly changing data landscape--based on a forum GAO held in 2024 with experts and stakeholders.
#econsky
www.gao.gov/products/gao...
www.gao.gov
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 14d
@nabe-econ.bsky.social @denicewross.bsky.social @jedkolko.bsky.social @markzandi.bsky.social @mikehorrigan.bsky.social @betseystevenson.bsky.social @justinwolfers.bsky.social @bencasselman.bsky.social @hansilowang.bsky.social @samsutton.bsky.social @chrisrugaber.bsky.social @jc-econ.bsky.social
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 14d
#labor #labormarket #economics #regionaldata #bigdata #localinflation #localprices #statedata
#BLS #BEA #Census #ERS #SOI #NASS #NCSES #ORES #EIA #NCES #NCHS #BJS #BTS @copafs.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social @apduorg.bsky.social @cossa.bsky.social @aaronsojourner.org @maryjomitchell.bsky.social
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 14d
#statistics #data #datascience #federalstatistics #datainfrastructure #federaldata #economicstatistics #officialstatistics #statisticalagencies #infrastructure
#CPI #unemployment #employment #JobsDay #monetarypolicy #inflation #jobs #jobsday
#productivity #markets #infotech #finance
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 14d
12 Senators want to know the Administration's plans for federal #statistics by 10/6.

“The integrity of America’s #economicdata is fundamental to our economic prosperity and global leadership – it is not a partisan issue...”

www.banking.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
#econsky
www.banking.senate.gov
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 15d
The new date is Oct 30.
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 15d
Yeah for transparency!
I hear that staffing in CPI is down by 30%--a loss of some of their most experienced staff. That means BLS has less ability to keep to deadlines when a glitch happens. Modernization, generally a very good thing, is prone to glitches.
econberger.bsky.social
Guy Berger @econberger.bsky.social · 15d
Today we got a (very reasonable & completely warranted) explanation from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for why they are delaying publication of the annual Consumer Expenditure Survey (CEX) by about a month.

Transparency is good!

www.bls.gov/cex/notices/...
Consumer Expenditures 2024 News Release Rescheduled
Consumer Expenditures 2024 News Release Rescheduled (9/22/2025)
www.bls.gov
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Reposted by Erica Groshen
David Wessel @davidmwessel.bsky.social · 17d
No need to distort the data. Just don't collect it: Trump administration cancels an annual USDA survey on food insecurity. “This nonstatutory report became overly politicized ...was unnecessary to carry out the work of the Department,” a USDA spokesman said.
www.wsj.com/economy/trum...
Exclusive | Trump Administration Cancels Annual Hunger Survey
The government has been measuring food insecurity since the mid-1990s, but now says the report has become “overly politicized.”
www.wsj.com
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 18d
There are no politicals at BLS now. No BLSers have leaked about pressure on the CEX or other work at BLS. And this release is likely too low-profile to warrant meddling.
So, I don’t think that the issue is pressure.
The shortage of funding and staffing —also nefarious—is a more likely cause.
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 18d
I hope not.
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 18d
Yes. But they are not adjusted on a monthly basis.
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 18d
@asa-scipol.bsky.social @nabe-econ.bsky.social
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 18d
@aaronsojourner.org @erikamcentarfer.bsky.social @maryjomitchell.bsky.social @kenpoole383.bsky.social
@jedkolko.bsky.social @nickhartphd.bsky.social @davidmwessel.bsky.social @michaelrstrain.bsky.social @denicewross.bsky.social @mikehorrigan.bsky.social
@copafs.bsky.social
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 18d
#statistics #data #datascience #federalstatistics #datainfrastructure #federaldata #economicstatistics #officialstatistics #statisticalagencies #infrastructure #economicdata #CPI #inflation #markets #infotech #finance #economics #consumerexpeditures #CEX #consumerspending
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ericagroshen.bsky.social
Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · 18d
#BLS has delayed the 2024 Consumer Expenditures Survey annual release. This is likely due to the severe understaffing in the agency.
Staff losses and hiring freeze are taking their toll.

www.bls.gov/cex/notices/...

#econsky
Consumer Expenditures 2024 Data Release to be Rescheduled
Consumer Expenditures 2024 Data Release to be Rescheduled (9/19/2025)
www.bls.gov
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Reposted by Erica Groshen
erikamcentarfer.bsky.social
Erika McEntarfer @erikamcentarfer.bsky.social · 25d
Just pointing out the incoherence of ‘we must replace BLS leadership because of falling response rates’ and ‘we aren’t going to let you stem falling response rates by following up when they don’t respond’. (Census collects data for BLS too.)
philiprocco.bsky.social
Phil Rocco @philiprocco.bsky.social · 26d
Extent of the threat to the integrity of the 2030 Census in the House funding beggars belief. Not only did the Committee narrowly approve eliminating undocumented persons from apportionment counts (in violation of the 14th A), it also handcuffs Bureau’s ability to do nonresponse followup. 1/2
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