James Hawkins
@johcharts.bsky.social
Learning about the state of the economy one chart at a time. Formerly Associate Director at the Berkeley Institute for Young Americans.
𝗡𝗘𝗪: 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝗻 𝗫 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀.
In my first Substack post, I do a deep dive into the data weeds of homeownership and come away finding that the intergenerational gap between Millennials and Gen X/Baby Boomers remains large. #econsky
substack.com/home/post/p-...
In my first Substack post, I do a deep dive into the data weeds of homeownership and come away finding that the intergenerational gap between Millennials and Gen X/Baby Boomers remains large. #econsky
substack.com/home/post/p-...
No, Millennial Homeownership has Not Caught up with Gen X
A deep dive into intergenerational comparisons
substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
𝗡𝗘𝗪: 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝗻 𝗫 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀.
In my first Substack post, I do a deep dive into the data weeds of homeownership and come away finding that the intergenerational gap between Millennials and Gen X/Baby Boomers remains large. #econsky
substack.com/home/post/p-...
In my first Substack post, I do a deep dive into the data weeds of homeownership and come away finding that the intergenerational gap between Millennials and Gen X/Baby Boomers remains large. #econsky
substack.com/home/post/p-...
All of the chart-makers: "What do we say to the God of Death? Not today!"
August 8, 2025 at 2:04 AM
All of the chart-makers: "What do we say to the God of Death? Not today!"
Reposted by James Hawkins
It has been the honor of my life to serve as Commissioner of BLS alongside the many dedicated civil servants tasked with measuring a vast and dynamic economy. It is vital and important work and I thank them for their service to this nation.
August 2, 2025 at 2:18 AM
It has been the honor of my life to serve as Commissioner of BLS alongside the many dedicated civil servants tasked with measuring a vast and dynamic economy. It is vital and important work and I thank them for their service to this nation.
Reposted by James Hawkins
Unquestionably the most dangerous and corrupt attack on the independence of US economic data in American history. Trump is firing the head of the BLS, a longtime civil servant confirmed 86-8 by the Senate, simply because the job numbers came in below his expectations today
August 1, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Unquestionably the most dangerous and corrupt attack on the independence of US economic data in American history. Trump is firing the head of the BLS, a longtime civil servant confirmed 86-8 by the Senate, simply because the job numbers came in below his expectations today
Reposted by James Hawkins
Yesterday: the economists were wrong, tariffs are clearly working
Today: Ok, we need to fire the economists because the jobs data doesn't look good
Today: Ok, we need to fire the economists because the jobs data doesn't look good
August 1, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Yesterday: the economists were wrong, tariffs are clearly working
Today: Ok, we need to fire the economists because the jobs data doesn't look good
Today: Ok, we need to fire the economists because the jobs data doesn't look good
Reposted by James Hawkins
For six months, I've said that threats to economic data have been more collateral damage than intentional harm.
No longer.
Firing the head of the BLS is five-alarm intentional harm to the integrity of US economic data and the entire statistical system.
No longer.
Firing the head of the BLS is five-alarm intentional harm to the integrity of US economic data and the entire statistical system.
August 1, 2025 at 6:51 PM
For six months, I've said that threats to economic data have been more collateral damage than intentional harm.
No longer.
Firing the head of the BLS is five-alarm intentional harm to the integrity of US economic data and the entire statistical system.
No longer.
Firing the head of the BLS is five-alarm intentional harm to the integrity of US economic data and the entire statistical system.
Reposted by James Hawkins
I can't stress how damaging this is.
Destroys trust in core government statistics.
Destroys trust in core government statistics.
August 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I can't stress how damaging this is.
Destroys trust in core government statistics.
Destroys trust in core government statistics.
Reposted by James Hawkins
This is awful. Reliable economic data is a key strength of the US economy.
When Argentina and Greece faked economic data it contributed to major crises.
I don't think Trump will be able to fake the data given the procedures. But there is now a risk plus an awful appearance.
When Argentina and Greece faked economic data it contributed to major crises.
I don't think Trump will be able to fake the data given the procedures. But there is now a risk plus an awful appearance.
August 1, 2025 at 6:40 PM
This is awful. Reliable economic data is a key strength of the US economy.
When Argentina and Greece faked economic data it contributed to major crises.
I don't think Trump will be able to fake the data given the procedures. But there is now a risk plus an awful appearance.
When Argentina and Greece faked economic data it contributed to major crises.
I don't think Trump will be able to fake the data given the procedures. But there is now a risk plus an awful appearance.
Reposted by James Hawkins
EXTREMELY BAD NEWS for economic research, per former BLS Commissioner @ericagroshen.bsky.social on LinkedIn.
BLS is suspending access to its restricted data "for the forseeable future." Applies to projects through the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers & onsite projects with BLS.
#EconSky
BLS is suspending access to its restricted data "for the forseeable future." Applies to projects through the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers & onsite projects with BLS.
#EconSky
June 6, 2025 at 6:54 PM
EXTREMELY BAD NEWS for economic research, per former BLS Commissioner @ericagroshen.bsky.social on LinkedIn.
BLS is suspending access to its restricted data "for the forseeable future." Applies to projects through the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers & onsite projects with BLS.
#EconSky
BLS is suspending access to its restricted data "for the forseeable future." Applies to projects through the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers & onsite projects with BLS.
#EconSky
Reposted by James Hawkins
must be incredibly frustrating and disheartening to have federal funding that was promised to you for important work suddenly and arbitrarily ripped away
“In light of the President's statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately”
June 5, 2025 at 8:15 PM
must be incredibly frustrating and disheartening to have federal funding that was promised to you for important work suddenly and arbitrarily ripped away
Reposted by James Hawkins
This is tremendous content but it’s also bad from an economic institutions perspective that “your CEO is now beefing with the president” can knock ~15% off your market cap
TESLA'S $150 BLN MARKET CAP LOSS WAS BIGGEST IN CO'S HISTORY
June 5, 2025 at 8:53 PM
This is tremendous content but it’s also bad from an economic institutions perspective that “your CEO is now beefing with the president” can knock ~15% off your market cap
Reposted by James Hawkins
This isn't good: "BLS is reducing sample in areas across the country. In April, BLS suspended CPI data collection entirely in Lincoln, NE, and Provo, UT. In June, BLS suspended collection entirely in Buffalo, NY." #EconSky
www.bls.gov/cpi/notices/...
www.bls.gov/cpi/notices/...
Notice of CPI collection reductions
Notice of CPI collection reductions
www.bls.gov
June 4, 2025 at 6:04 PM
This isn't good: "BLS is reducing sample in areas across the country. In April, BLS suspended CPI data collection entirely in Lincoln, NE, and Provo, UT. In June, BLS suspended collection entirely in Buffalo, NY." #EconSky
www.bls.gov/cpi/notices/...
www.bls.gov/cpi/notices/...
Reposted by James Hawkins
Here's my list of the full range of threats to federal economic statistics:
www.slowboring.com/p/trump-thre...
www.slowboring.com/p/trump-thre...
Trump's threat to economic data
The federal statistical system is at risk. Declining data quality would compound the harm of an economic downturn or financial crisis.
www.slowboring.com
June 4, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Here's my list of the full range of threats to federal economic statistics:
www.slowboring.com/p/trump-thre...
www.slowboring.com/p/trump-thre...
Reposted by James Hawkins
The BLS, which produces the CPI, told economists this week that a hiring freeze led the agency to cut back on the number of businesses where it checks prices.
Response rates for one data set increased in the April CPI as fewer businesses were surveyed
www.wsj.com/economy/cpi-...
Response rates for one data set increased in the April CPI as fewer businesses were surveyed
www.wsj.com/economy/cpi-...
Exclusive | Economists Raise Questions About Quality of U.S. Inflation Data
The Labor Department says staffing shortages reduced its ability to conduct its massive monthly survey, forcing it to turn to less precise guesses.
www.wsj.com
June 4, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The BLS, which produces the CPI, told economists this week that a hiring freeze led the agency to cut back on the number of businesses where it checks prices.
Response rates for one data set increased in the April CPI as fewer businesses were surveyed
www.wsj.com/economy/cpi-...
Response rates for one data set increased in the April CPI as fewer businesses were surveyed
www.wsj.com/economy/cpi-...
📊 NEW data for unemployment insurance claims:
May 29, 2025 at 6:29 PM
📊 NEW data for unemployment insurance claims:
Reposted by James Hawkins
Comments from Howard Lutnick, the secretary of Commerce, and Elon Musk have renewed concerns that the Trump administration could interfere with federal economic statistics.
with @colbylsmith.bsky.social #EconSky
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/b...
with @colbylsmith.bsky.social #EconSky
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/b...
Lutnick Remarks on Removing Government Spending in GDP Data Raises Fears (Gift Article)
Howard Lutnick, the commerce secretary, suggested government spending should be excluded from data about U.S. economic output.
www.nytimes.com
March 4, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Comments from Howard Lutnick, the secretary of Commerce, and Elon Musk have renewed concerns that the Trump administration could interfere with federal economic statistics.
with @colbylsmith.bsky.social #EconSky
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/b...
with @colbylsmith.bsky.social #EconSky
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/b...