Center for Economic and Policy Research

tinyurl.comIs a job guarantee the solution to mass AI unemployment?An old idea springs anew as a chorus of influential voices predicts that AI may trigger crises of vast magnitude

“Work is more than just income.” @a-austin.bsky.social explains how a federal jobs guarantee is preferable to UBI because it gives people valuable skills and experience that will allow them to accelerate their careers. Read @theguardian.com:

14h

Trump has his own priorities - ones that directly hurt the American people. All of the money this administration has wasted on war could’ve gone to helping the American people. @warren.senate.gov breaks down the math

tinyurl.comLula’s victory may be a turning point for Latin AmericaThe outcome of Brazil's presidential election demonstrates that the far-right tide in Latin America is not inevitable.

17h

Lula’s victory may be a turning point for Latin America, CEPR’s Guillaume Long writes in @aljazeeraenglish.bsky.social : “the far right’s advance is neither inevitable nor irreversible. Not in Brazil. Not anywhere.”

tinyurl.comBrazil's Lula Wins 'Historic Victory' Against Right-Wing Trump Ally Flávio Bolsonaro | Common Dreams"This shows that Trumpismo is waning, and it is our responsibility now to make sure that we kill the beast," Pennsylvania Democratic House nominee Chris Rabb said.

19h

Lula won Brazil’s runoff against Flávio Bolsonaro. “These elections have represented a historic victory for the majority of the Brazilian people, who mobilized to defend democracy against the threat of fascism,” CEPR’s Francesca Emanuele told Common Dreams.

tinyurl.comUS Urged to Recognize Lula's Win as Trump Ally Flávio Bolsonaro Demands 'Annulment' | Common Dreams"The Trump administration, which has close relations with the Bolsonaro family, could help defuse this threat by joining other governments in recognizing the election outcome."

22h

Flávio Bolsonaro refuses to accept Lula's win and is demanding an annulment. "The Trump administration, could help defuse this threat by joining other governments in recognizing the election outcome," said CEPR’s Alex Main, via @commondreams.org .

tinyurl.comThe AI Bubble MonitorIs there an AI bubble? Some indicators point to one — and when bubbles burst, there can be massive shocks in housing and job markets that last for years.

22h

Just 1% of firms make up 80% of spending at OpenAI & Anthropic, and most of them are other AI startups. AI companies crying about towns blocking data centers & power outages are much better headlines than admitting the demand isn’t there argues @deanbaker13.bsky.social.

Polls are open across #Brazil. 🗳️🇧🇷 Lula or Bolsonaro — by tonight, Latin America’s largest democracy could know its next president. Follow our live blog for real-time results and context.

www1.folha.uol.com.brChefe da campanha de Flávio Bolsonaro fala em 'golpe judiciário', e aliados sugerem fraude sem provasPedido da campanha de Lula para prorrogar a votação foi motivado por dificuldade de chegada às seções eleitorais

Despite their own requests for a voting extension in some parts of Brazil’s Southeast due to heavy rains some Bolsonaro supporters are now criticizing the two-hour allowance for voting as related to an effort by the Lula campaign to carry out a “coup.” www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2026/1...

resultados.tse.jus.brResultados

🗳️🇧🇷With polls having been closed since 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, votes are currently being tabulated, and results have started to come in, available in real time on the website of the Superior Electoral Court. resultados.tse.jus.br/oficial/app/...

tinyurl.comFolha Ao Vivo: Acompanhe ao vivo a apura��o do 2� turno entre Fl�vio Bolsonaro e Lula; com 15% das urnas apuradas, absten��o � de 19,55%Elei��o teve hor�rio estendido ap�s decis�o do ministro Cristiano Zanin, do STF

There are widespread reports of polling stations closing despite the Supreme Court order to extend voting hours, leaving some unable to cast their votes. At one station in São Paulo, the entry gate was reportedly closed, reopened, and closed again following the initial deadline. tinyurl.com/48cn2fu3

cepr.netUS Escalation in the Caribbean and Latin America – Live Updates (October 2026)

“I’m fed up! Is this the return of the dictatorship?” the bus driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, reportedly said. Inspectors found some 250 operable buses parked in three garages. cepr.net/publications...

cepr.netUS Escalation in the Caribbean and Latin America – Live Updates (October 2026)

🌎 Votes cast abroad, as of 4:00 p.m. Brasília time: 🔴 Lula — 59.67% 🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥 🔵 Flávio Bolsonaro — 40.33% 🟦🟦🟦🟦 First round abroad: Lula 47.57% | Flávio 43.49% Follow our tracker 👇 cepr.net/publications...

cnnbrasil.com.brContabilização de votos é pausada pelo TSE em função do adiamento | CNN BrasilMinistro do STF, Cristiano Zanin atendeu a um pedido da coligação do presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT)

The TSE confirmed the suspension of vote tabulation. Supreme Federal Court Justice Cristiano Zanin ordered voting hours to be extended nationwide until 7p.m. Vote tabulation was suspended with just 0.25% of ballot boxes counted. www.cnnbrasil.com.br/eleicoes/con...

bloomberg.comLive Coverage: Lula, Bolsonaro Face Off in Brazil Presidential Runoff Election

In addition to Lula’s campaign, Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign has now requested an extension of voting hours. Unlike Lula’s request, however, Bolsonaro’s is motivated by bad weather in southern Brazil, @bloomberg.com reports. www.bloomberg.com/news/live-bl...

🚨 By order of the Supreme Court, voting has been extended for two hours until 7 p.m. Brasilia time (6 p.m. ECT) for all states in the country due to complaints from the Lula campaign over the problems with public transportation and from the Flávio campaign due to bad weather in some areas.

www1.folha.uol.com.brTRE manda prender secretário de Salvador por falta de ônibus, e PT pede prisão de prefeitoOUTRO LADO: Prefeitura diz que sindicatos adesivaram veículos com propaganda do PT, o que retardou saída dos ônibus

According to @folha.com, voters in several neighborhoods of Salvador, the capital of Bahia, reported long waits and overcrowded bus stops, despite requirements that public transportation be free and operate at normal weekday frequency on election day. www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2026/1...

elpais.comBrasil decide este domingo si seguirá siendo una democraciaEl bando progresista ha tomado, en los últimos 21 días, las calles y las redes sociales para lograr una remontada e impedir que la extrema derecha vuelva al poder, pero el resultado es incierto

Journalist Eliane Brum writes in El País that Flávio Bolsonaro’s 2.2-million-vote lead in the first round brought new energy to a runoff campaign that had previously seen little activity in the streets. elpais.com/america/2026...

CEPR’s observers in Brazil have highlighted the potential impact of weather on voter turnout. “Rain can have a dampening effect on voter turnout generally, and particularly in low income communities that have less reliable public transport and more unpaved and poorly drained roads.”

cnnbrasil.com.brTRE-BA exige frota total de ônibus em Salvador no segundo turno | CNN BrasilDecisão estabelece multa de R$ 1 milhão por hora em caso de descumprimento pela prefeitura e concessionárias

Brazil’s electoral authorities have ordered the arrest of Salvador’s municipal mobility secretary, Pablo Souza, following widespread reports of bus shortages during today’s presidential runoff. www.cnnbrasil.com.br/eleicoes/tre...

CEPR observed polling places in Bom Retiro, São Paulo, this afternoon, where many stickers, shirts, and caps were visible showing who voters support, as that isn’t prohibited in voting centers in Brazil.

“In São Paulo, there is just one vote, between just the two presidential candidates, whereas in 6 states of Brazil there are also runoffs for the gubernatorial elections,” one observer notes.

cepr.netUS Escalation in the Caribbean and Latin America – Live Updates (October 2026)

cepr.net/publications...

www1.folha.uol.com.brOpinião - Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva: O Brasil está pronto para maisBrasileiras e brasileiros verdadeiramente patriotas foram para as ruas defender nossas conquistas

✍️ @folha.com invited both candidates to pen op-eds ahead of today’s vote. In his article, @lulaoficialbluesky.bsky.social noted that the mass mobilizations in favor of his candidacy in recent weeks were motivated by his government’s policy achievements. www1.folha.uol.com.br/opiniao/2026...

Center for Economic and Policy Research reposted

EnchantedHickie

@enchantedhickie.bsky.social

⭐ The Critical Importance of LOCAL NEWS 👈 How To Save It 💯 #journalism #news 💥thanks @ceprdc.bsky.social @deanbaker13.bsky.social Mostly Economics Podcast youtu.be/5j3b9fJDFZE?...

youtu.beMostly Economics Podcast #57: What Can Be Done to Stop Local News from Disappearing with Matt PearceYouTube video by Center for Economic and Policy Research

Center for Economic and Policy Research reposted

Dean Baker

@deanbaker13.bsky.social

We can combat rich people's control of the media, Mostly Economics with Matt Peace, director of policy at Rebuild Local News www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j3b...

youtube.comMostly Economics Podcast #57: What Can Be Done to Stop Local News from Disappearing with Matt PearceYouTube video by Center for Economic and Policy Research

youtu.beMostly Economics Podcast #57: What Can Be Done to Stop Local News from Disappearing with Matt PearceYouTube video by Center for Economic and Policy Research

NEW EP: The US has lost 80%+ of its local journalists since 2002. @deanbaker13.bsky.social and @mattdpearce.com of @rebuildlocalnews.bsky.social discuss California’s bid to fund local reporting by ending a tax break for excess CEO pay. Tune in: youtu.be/5j3b9fJDFZE?...

tinyurl.comThe Rich are Awful People, Let Me Count the WaysBillionaires are using media ownership and social platforms to shape political coverage and influence elections. Reforms can limit their power.

“Our billionaires seem to be in a competition for the most awful human being alive.” The oligarchs continue to buy our news, politicians, government, and social media. @deanbaker13.bsky.social details how their horrific actions continue to hurt Americans. Read:

“There is no use case for AI” says @deanbaker13.bsky.social on the Tech Report. AI has broadly proved to be inefficient and expensive compared to Chinese options. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8YsC8oVpek&t=1003s

tinyurl.com(Foreign Policy) Brazil’s Sovereignty Is on the BallotAlexander Main and Guillaume Long warn that a Flávio Bolsonaro victory could open Brazil to US military intervention.

“Under Flávio, U.S. military operations on Brazilian soil are a real possibility.” Ahead of Brazil’s runoff, CEPR’s Alex Main and Guillaume Long write in Foreign Policy on what the US terrorist designations of Brazilian gangs could mean for the country’s sovereignty.

foreignpolicy.comBrazil’s Sovereignty Is on the BallotA far-right win in the country’s presidential election would open the door to U.S. military activity on Brazilian soil.

Read full story:

$8.5 Trillion. That's what A.I. companies need to make to justify their evaluations and spending on infrastructure. “Who would pay that?” Asks @deanbaker13.bsky.social on The Tech Report Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8YsC8oVpek&t=1003s

tinyurl.comOpen Enrollment and Ghost Networks Reveal Privatized Medicare’s Key FlawMedicare Advantage insurers are raising costs, cutting benefits, and misleading patients with ghost networks, all at taxpayer expense.

NEW: Now through 12/7, seniors are picking #MedicareAdvantage plans for 2027 and 3.8M must find new coverage. Most others face higher copays and deductibles, and fewer extras like dental. When health care runs on profit, patient care always comes last. Read:

tinyurl.comCEPR Warns of US Interference in Brazil’s October 25 Election and Possible “Stop the Steal” Effort if Lula WinsAhead of Brazil’s presidential run-off election on Sunday, CEPR warns of interference by the Trump administration in favor of far-right candidate and senator Flávio Bolsonaro.

Ahead of Brazil’s run-off on Sunday, CEPR warns of US interference in favor of far-right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro and a possible “Stop the Steal” effort if Lula wins, CEPR Director of International Policy Alex Main said.

“This refusal by the US State Department to answer a simple question from the US Congress about whether they would recognize Brazil’s election results seems like a deliberate threat,” CEPR Co-Director Mark Weisbrot said.

In response to letters from 30 House members, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Sens. Shaheen, Welch, and Kaine, the Trump administration failed to commit to respecting the results.

Trump keeps pricing millions of Americans out of consuming food that are mainstays of our diets. Beef prices keep setting record highs as tariffs, global warming, costs, and other factors make it unaffordable for Americans to eat. Read @deanbaker13.bsky.social: https://tinyurl.com/yc4kmmxx

tinyurl.com(The Nation) Brazil’s Decision: The Moral Compass and Basic Humanity of Political Leaders Really Does MatterBrazil's election pits Lula's record on poverty, jobs, and workers' rights against Flávio Bolsonaro's politics and ties to Trump.

“I’m in favor of torture.” Jair Bolsonaro said it in public and was still elected president of Brazil. Now his son Flávio, faces Lula in Sunday’s runoff. “The moral compass and basic humanity of political leaders really does matter,” writes CEPR Co-Director Mark Weisbrot. tinyurl.com/kpwap4hh

NEW DATA: Young people took by far the biggest hit in new Federal Reserve consumer survey data. The typical household under 35 lost 23% of its wealth from 2022 to 2025, falling from $44.7K to $33K. Most other age groups changed by 6% or less, whereas people 75 and older gained 37%.

tinyurl.comNet Worth for Young People Shows Huge Drop in 2025US households under 35 saw median net worth fall 23 percent from 2022 to 2025, while older households largely avoided declines.

Why? Fed researchers say many young people used COVID relief money to invest in or start businesses. In 2025, those businesses lost much of their value. That drop lines up with Trump’s tariff wars and the rising cost of living. Read:

bit.lyThe AI Bubble MonitorIs there an AI bubble? Some indicators point to one — and when bubbles burst, there can be massive shocks in housing and job markets that last for years.

CoreWeave, the top neocloud, pays 16%+ on its debt, double junk levels. AI spending was flat in Aug and Sept, and DeepSeek rivals US frontier models at 1/10th the price. Remember: cheap AI won’t cover trillions in leases. More on the #AIBubble from @deanbaker13.bsky.social:

bit.lyBlack Wealth Takes a NosediveBlack household wealth fell 25 percent from 2022 to 2025, widening the gap with other racial groups as median net worth rose elsewhere.

🧵NEW: Federal Reserve data shows the median net worth of Black households fell 25% from 2022 to 2025, dropping from $49,100 to $36,800. Every other major racial group gained wealth over the same period, so the racial wealth gap grew even wider.

In 2025, the median Black household held just $36,800 in wealth, $179,100 below the national median. Asian households held $677,600 White households $332,100 Hispanic households $79,600

The Trump administration’s race policy is about helping White people at the expense of others. They're chasing claims of bias against White men while Black Americans remain the primary target of racial discrimination. Black families will be left to turn to cities, states and non-profits for support.

bit.lyBlack Wealth Takes a NosediveBlack household wealth fell 25 percent from 2022 to 2025, widening the gap with other racial groups as median net worth rose elsewhere.

From 2022 to 2025, the median net worth of the following households grew: Hispanic ~18% Asian ~16% White ~6%. 🔻Black households were the only group to lose ground -- falling 25%.

“These are the elites who have benefited for decades from a status quo that very obviously does not work for a majority of Haitians,” CEPR’s @jakobjohnston.bsky.social told @nytimes.com on the legacy of Gilbert Bigio, the tycoon sanctioned by Canada in 2022 over alleged gang ties.

tinyurl.comGilbert Bigio, Haitian Tycoon Linked to Gangs, Dies at 91Reportedly the wealthiest man in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Gilbert Bigio was sanctioned for ties to criminal gangs. He was 91.

Center for Economic and Policy Research reposted

Global Trade Watch

@pcgtw.bsky.social

Today, people around the globe took action to say NO to ISDS.⚖️👨‍⚖️ Here in DC, we handed out flyers to World Bank employees, informing them about the Bank’s secretive corporate tribunals where corporations can challenge public interest policies and get billions in compensation.

401k’s and other tax advantage accounts vastly favor the wealthy when working class people really just need Social Security Expanded. Economist @helaineolen.bsky.social breaks it down. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMxbhSsUGbc

#BRAZIL: Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro both say they want stronger growth, lower interest rates, and better fiscal accounts, “but they have very different ideas about how to get there,” CEPR’s Paola Jaimes Santamaria explains.