edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
I think one of the strengths of this place is people really don't engage on a lot of nonsense. But they'll engage on nonsense about twitter. So we get a lot of nonsense about twitter.
My own thoughts on unions, education and public finance.
225 followers 730 following 499 posts
view profile on Bluesky edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
I think one of the strengths of this place is people really don't engage on a lot of nonsense. But they'll engage on nonsense about twitter. So we get a lot of nonsense about twitter.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
We frequently discuss this, along with the health of old growth forrest, at family reunions. I'm confident that she would have made all the right decisions.
Jack Schneider (@jackschneider.bsky.social) reposted
Democrats for Education Reform do a pretty solid job of reminding us why the party has lost the working class: “…in a Kafka-esque turn, failing schools often receive more funding.” 😱 Let’s find leaders who aren’t horrified at the prospect of investing in poor communities.
Brandon Friedman (@brandonfriedman.bsky.social) reposted
I don't know how Pritzker will ultimately handle this. He may not know either. But he's establishing a line here: Federal troops and National Guard troops from other states are not welcome in Illinois.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Others are pretty good. 3rd way says not to use "deadnaming" but I think that its something authentic and opens the door to creating some shared meaning. That it conveys emotion matters.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
He's your huckleberry
Randi Weingarten 🖇️📚✊🇺🇸 (@rweingarten.bsky.social) reposted
Vouchers, budget cuts & attacks on the Dept of Ed aren’t helping kids, they’re abandoning them. Every kid deserves a safe, welcoming public school where they can thrive. That requires resources + support, not more cuts. Read more from @EconomicPolicy: www.epi.org/publication/...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social)
Biggest news in state policy work is Trump's call for massive redistricting, and, thankfully, a real Democratic response. www.reuters.com/world/us/cal...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social)
I'm not sure what caused my feed to go crazy about Cracker Barrell today, but I agree with Jamelle. We started using it on road trips after Tom Sietsema named it best ranking chain restaurant in 2017. Now a lame little family tradition that I still enjoy. www.washingtonpost.com/sf/style/201...
Gregg Gonsalves (@gregggonsalves.bsky.social) reposted
May this portion of the dissent by Ketanji Brown Jackson haunt John Roberts forever and be the final word on his tenure as Chief Justice.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Its marginal, but they could stop withholding employer share of payroll taxes for public workers. There's bills introduced to do this. Lots of public workers in Cali don't participate in social security, so its even more marginal there there. Broader proposals put public workers in legal jeopardy.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
20 yrs ago, Tucker C. had the mayor on his show. He wanted to mock TKPK as a nuclear free hippie haven. She was from League of Women Voters central casting & said the community didn't think we should do business with people in the nuclear arms industry, so we don't. NBD. He was totally non plussed.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
The fierceness of the Nimby/Yimby debates here is breathtaking. There's an elected who gives out sugar free candy at the 4th of July Parade. We don't do business w nuclear proliferators. I'm just surprised we don't have our own executive order yet.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
And Morris dancers. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mo...
Gillian Brockell (@gbrockell.bsky.social) reposted
Eight armed men to take down a homemade banner. The real damage is what you don’t see. This square is ordinarily full of families, happy children running around, people reading books, playing music, and one of the city’s smallest and most affordable farmers markets.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social)
What are today's odds that we re-create the Boston Massacre in DC sometime in the next year?
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
I'm 2 yrs into my fight w/cancer & one of my struggles at times is reminding my partner that I'm literally alive because of her. My heart goes out to you. Stay strong. Don't let folks on bsky - particularly ones whose knees are jerking - get you down. Don't take methods disagreements personally.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
I think you are right. Its this one" FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT TAXES WITHHELD BY THE STATE ON BEHALF OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT" that was troubling. Since it made the point of not specifying just the state's share
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
The NY bill, for example, specifically says the funds withheld would come from "federal taxes owed by the state as an employer" If you aren't sending your employee's taxes to the feds, my question stands, how are you protecting them from federal jeopardy? legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/20...
ProPublica (@propublica.org) reposted
NEW: An investigation by ProPublica and @texastribune.org found more than 60 instances of nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest among 27 private schools that likely would have violated state laws had the schools been public. By Lexi Churchill and @emsimani.bsky.social
Roosevelt Institute (@rooseveltinstitute.org) reposted
AI promises faster public services—from unemployment claims to food stamps. But current implementation falls short. @samshorey.bsky.social on why AI implementation in government must consider input from end users & public sector workers. @marketplace.org www.marketplace.org/episode/2025...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
How does the legislation keep individual taxpayers from being forced into federal legal jeopardy because of an action the state is taking?
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeasty boys
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Slightly dimish a band: Public frenemy
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Feel like its Jonathan Coachman's race to lose unless Dan gets in there.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
None. Not a bit. Skinless.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
never
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
so when I say "she's probably more important than the DNC" you are both agreeing and disagreeing?
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
are you little donny'b's sock puppet?
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
My sports teams are doing a lot better. My house is more energy efficient which is good for me and the environment. I learned to reverse sear beef and make gnocchi. I started eating Pho . One of my favorite bands got back together. I'm leaving out biggest things, but little things matter too
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
I follow you because you clearly are smart and have something to say I learn from. I know at one level you don't need to hear anyone tell you that, but its still true.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
They are stressing me out. The one thing I don't want from my baseball team is stress. When the Vince Coleman Mets phoned it in, I wasn't bothered because they weren't likable to begin with, but this is like a team of kittens who have lost their way.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Do you think she did that for ideological reasons or pragmatic/electoral ones ones?
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Do you think this was about policy preferences or her calculation on what it took to get to 218?
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Just realized you might mean mcgovern. I can see it. Insurgency against the sitting vice president.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
I get she's overstayed her welcome. But you're swinging at the one Democratic leader in my lifetime who most clearly had a theory of power and used it to try to make the world better.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
It was '68. Biden was in law school.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
example 3 strengthening unions (This was the best chance to do it in a generation, she delivered, Senate not so much www.nytimes.com/2007/03/02/w...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
example 2, No on the Iraq war www.thoughtco.com/2002-iraq-wa...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Examples of her not being like the people you are complaining about 1: DC Statehood. www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-pol...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Nancy's not the DNC. In her day, she probably was more important than the DNC, but she's not the DNC. And its silly to say she'd rather a facist win that support someone from the left of the party. She really just cared about one number, 218.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Who did they tank?
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
The way in which he signals to everyone who actually loves the city that he knows the city and loves it to is one of his strengths
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Jeffries is playing a different game. All his math is about building a house majority. I think he can do that and support Mamdani, but I get why he sees doing so as a risk he wants to minimize. Its the percentage play since, again, what he says Mamdani has no bearing on Mamdani's chances at all.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
All the images of Cuomo are upstate. The background of every shot Zohran is in makes me want to come home
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Does he need their help? They don't typically get involved in races where their nominee is up 19.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
I like the idea behind NY Focus which is why I follow it. But first thing I see about something that I know about gives me pause about the whole exercise.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
And New York has the highest share of special education students. To some extent this is a choice to provide deeper services to a greater share of students in need, to some extent that NY has more children in need. www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
It never talks about student need. NY has above averarge child poverty, which creates all kinds of educational challenges. www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/meas...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
It raises pensions, without talking about the fact that NY fully funds its pension. The other states have similar pension costs, but they are floating in unfunded liabilities that appear elsewhere on the books. And, most importantly...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
If raises salaries as driving NY's nation leading spending, despite citing material that talks about how there are states that pay teachers more while spending less
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social)
I don't get irked by school finance reporting that much these days, but this one focusing on how much NY spends on schools could have been better
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
In college in 1980s and I heard term "politically correct" used unironically and in good faith one time. All other times have been meta, satirical, ironic or critical.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Wyoming is right.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Am I getting from this that I should have said Wyoming?
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Republicans trying to sound reasonable have asked me why DC doesn't become part of MD. I tell them that if DC merges w/anyone it should be the next smallest state - South Dakota, and that the people in South Dakota would finally get major league sports.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Not all of these are perfect matches, but I'm also pretty sure I'm leaving stuff out. Once you read the list of offenses its hard not to think about what administrative action might fit in that bucket. 12/12
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences: 11/112 www.cbsnews.com/news/kilmar-...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury: 10/12 www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/pre...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: 9/12 www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: 8/12 taxfoundation.org/research/all...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. 7/12 www.military.com/daily-news/2...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. 6/12 www.northcom.mil/Newsroom/Pre...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance. 5/12 www.clasp.org/doge-tracker/
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. 4/12 www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/jona...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands. 3/12 www.cbsnews.com/news/alligat...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. 2/12 www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/t...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social)
Looking at the Declaration of Independence, I'm half expecting it to be removed from the federal government's websites. The reckoning of the tyrant's transgressions is like a checklist. How many will apply to this moment before we're done? 1/12 www.archives.gov/founding-doc...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social)
Zandi warning about recession is troubling, but given the data he's citing, not surprising. Not only is Fed not in position to lower rates, but Congress/DOGE are hell bent on retracting federal support rather than providing fiscal stimulus. We just cut taxes. Worried we have limited tools to respond
Senator Chris Van Hollen (@vanhollen.senate.gov) reposted
Trump's raw authoritarian power grab in DC is part of a growing national crisis. He's playing dictator in our nation's capital as a dress rehearsal as he pushes democracy to the brink. This assault on freedom is exactly why we've fought for DC statehood and to give DC control of its National Guard.
James Fallows (@jfallows.bsky.social) reposted
This is like if you asked a second grader to made a diorama of "more safety" for downtown DC.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
They also came in saying in effect that "the public sector isn't part of the economy" and shouldn't be included in GDP. WHich meant that they could keep the shrinking of the federal workforce out of the numbers. Havent heard anything on that lately, but when its convenient to them, it'll be back
Pwnallthethings (@pwnallthethings.bsky.social) reposted
US effectively moving to a system where tax policy is set by the executive branch, fully adhoc, unpredictable, and bespoke per company, and based in large part on the presidents' personal relationships with the company's leadership
Douglas Reyes-Ceron (@dreyesceron.bsky.social) reposted
"Alexi Lalas stooooormed the capitooool.....Alexi Lalas stooooormed the capitooool.....on January Sixth" ELITE S-Tier chant by Midnight Riders tonight
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social)
State and local government - and UCLA is an arm of the state California - can take steps to resist predatory federalism. That they aren't consistently doing so, even in the blue-est states is increasingly frustrating
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
There's a writer on here who does some pretty good journalism and then their post on it ignores elements of said journalism while they're actually linking to it. And it generates engagement consistently
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
This is amazing
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Anthony Weiner could be the "Newman" character, running in each of those races too and denying that he's stealing the lawn signs abcnews.go.com/Politics/dis...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social)
I suspect most NYers here are having the same reaction. For nonNYers, rent control is a legacy policy & a great deal for the 2% who have it. Stories of lengths folks go to establish succession rights to these prizes are part of NY lore. If ZM had done this, it would be a big deal, but he hadn't.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
These aren't the only pictures of academia that folks have, some are much better. But big private colleges have hunkered down & to extent they focus on response to Trump are living on his message terrain. There are limits to what they can do politically, but they should be telling their own story
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
There are preexisting pictures of academia in people's heads that get activated by right wing messaging. An assumption that faculty and admins are elitists who look down on us. An assumption that teaching is a sweet cushy deal in which you don't have to "work." I think thats part of growth medium
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Scott, I see that you to have stepped on a canoli. Those sharp little bits of shell, like sweet Italian lego.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
I'd say one in twenty. If we got someone like Eze and one more signing for the backline and a Richarlison renaissance, I'd go as high as 40 perent.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
This is one of those where the headline doesn't match the essay, which isn't as vituperative as I think is called for, but is still on point
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@ocasio-cortez.house.gov) reposted
This week, Trump shredded collective bargaining agreements for over 400,000 VA workers. This move will hurt workers, many of whom are veterans themselves, and will put veteran care at risk. VA Secretary Doug Collins must reverse course.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
This has happened to me with people who work at right wing organizations any number of times over my career. Almost uniformly infuriating.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
There's a set of them who, when its convenient, act like its the cartoon where Ralph Wolf and Sam the Sheepdog put away the mallets and the TNT when the 5 o'clock bell rings. One of the tropes for avoiding accountability is to be able to pretend its all an act.
Randi Weingarten 🖇️📚✊🇺🇸 (@rweingarten.bsky.social) reposted
Residents and fellows are the backbone of our healthcare system, and now University of Maryland Residents & Fellows Alliance doctors at UMMC - one of the nation's oldest teaching hospitals - finally have the historic, first-ever contract they deserve. Congrats! md.aft.org/news/ummc-re...
AFT (@aft.org) reposted
At the #OneVoiceOneFuture rally, @rweingarten.bsky.social fired up the crowd with a reminder: Our power comes from standing together. @ahcu.bsky.social @ofnhp.bsky.social
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social)
Given how much I've hectored my Senator on this, I want to be clear that I don't go this far. But if there's one thing where there should be mandatory minimums.......
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
There's a better place
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
I don't like when my team becomes a source of stress rather than joy
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Its that they didn't vest the benefit, and the AF has the discretion not to give them early retirement.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social)
Disrespecting women in their workplace is totally lighthearted and makes me feel better that @alsobrooks.senate.gov voted for the Crypto industry's bill. I'm not sure why she isn't sharing what a good joke this is on her social media.
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Are there grounds to challenge it? These folks didn't have 20 yrs service, they had an option to apply for early retirement. They are being denied en masse. I tried to contextualize it from a pension perspective but from a legal perspective am curious about their recourse bsky.app/profile/edmu...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Coda. That matters because these are folks who are stigmatized, aren't young, and have had their financial security entirely pulled out from under them. Some will find a way to thrive, but the United States is putting them on the most difficult path it can
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
I tried to unpack what is happening on this from a pension perspective here. bsky.app/profile/edmu...
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
For me its time to see if there's a charity I can donate to that will support these folks. If people have ideas on that I'd like to know. 8/8
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
But 20 year vesting isn't something I considered. It might be that the decision to deny can be challenges somehow, but I don't know enough about AF rules. There are different points to make here about pension policy, which is one of my things, but this isn't the time for that. 7/?
edmuir.bsky.social (@edmuir.bsky.social) reply parent
Its the persons in this class, who were told they could apply, who are now being rejected en masse. They are a subset of the broader pool of patriotic Americans who were forced out of service. My initial thought on reading the headlines was this could be fought because they'd earned the benefit 6/?