Reposted by Lauren BauerKrista Ruffini @kristaruffini.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Pay is low and turnover high among direct care workers in long-term care. In new descriptive work (+ interactives!), we find many workers leave these positions to work elsewhere in healthcare and many others leave employment but continue to provide care for others. 045
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Join us tomorrow at Brookings for critical conversations on long-term care --- immigration and the care workforce and Medicare home health reform are the themes. Hope to see you there! www.hamiltonproject.org/event/meetin...hamiltonproject.orgMeeting long-term care needs for an aging United States - The Hamilton ProjectOn September 29, The Hamilton Project will host an event to discuss policies to expand access to long-term care. 030
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Still no guidance from USDA on the SNAP cost-shift provisions. Cool cool cool. 021
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 14/09/2026I am collecting anecdata on how declining enrollment is actually happening... 020
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 07/09/2026FYI - @betseystevenson.bsky.social has a @hamiltonproject.org proposal that adds earned time off to FLSA. It’s a great idea with 90 percent+ support. www.hamiltonproject.org/publication/...hamiltonproject.orgA federal guarantee for earned paid time off - The Hamilton ProjectBetsey Stevenson proposes a federal earned paid time off policy that would apply to all workers and all types of leave. 0266
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Important story about the most important knock on effect to the decimation of SNAP … 03218
Reposted by Lauren BauerMAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger @mazonusa.bsky.social · 02/09/2026The SNAP state cost-shift policy is basically a coin flip. New from our board member and @brookings.edu fellow, @laurenhlb.bsky.social a state's bill could swing from $0 to over $2 billion, based on chance, not performance. States may be forced to cut SNAP or drop it. Congress should fully fund.brookings.eduThe SNAP state cost-shift policy leaves the program’s existence to chance | BrookingsLauren Bauer and Diane Schanzenbach find that the SNAP cost shift to states will fluctuate unpredictably and considerably from year to year solely based on random chance. 044
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 02/09/2026I'm hiring! Please apply to be a - Research Assistant (rising senior) - Senior Research Assistant (work experience/master's) with The Hamilton Project! www.hamiltonproject.org/about/careers/hamiltonproject.orgCareers - The Hamilton ProjectJoin one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks and begin a career in public policy. 030
Reposted by Lauren BauerThe Hamilton Project @hamiltonproject.org · 02/09/2026OBBBA shifts a portion of SNAP benefit costs onto states, based on a given state’s “payment error rate.” @laurenhlb.bsky.social and Diane Schanzenbach estimate what share states would have been required to pay in FY2026 under this policy—and find that state outcomes vary widely, randomly.hamiltonproject.orgThe SNAP state cost-shift policy leaves the program’s existence to chance - The Hamilton ProjectLauren Bauer and Diane Schanzenbach find that the SNAP cost shift to states will fluctuate unpredictably and considerably from year to year solely based on random chance. 041
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 01/09/2026And restore full federal funding of SNAP benefits? 160
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Spoke with @marketplace.org about SNAP's anniversary and the potential end to a national food assistance program. Factcheck true. 153
Reposted by Lauren BauerThe Hamilton Project @hamiltonproject.org · 31/08/2026Today marks the 62nd anniversary of the Food Stamp Act, which permanently authorized the Food Stamp Program, now known as SNAP. Today SNAP faces cuts that threaten the program's existence, @laurenhlb.bsky.social and Diane Schanzenbach warn in a new Hamilton Project analysis.hamiltonproject.orgThe SNAP state cost-shift policy leaves the program’s existence to chance - The Hamilton ProjectLauren Bauer and Diane Schanzenbach find that the SNAP cost shift to states will fluctuate unpredictably and considerably from year to year solely based on random chance. 021
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Poor and purposeful timing to have pulled down national food insecurity measurement. 0123
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 27/08/2026A policy that could cause states to drop out of the SNAP program entirely should not be left to chance (literally) - which is exactly what Diane Schanzenbach and my new piece on SNAP Payment Error Rates and the OBBBA cost shift finds. Read all about it here: www.hamiltonproject.org/publication/...hamiltonproject.orgThe SNAP state cost-shift policy leaves the program’s existence to chance - The Hamilton ProjectLauren Bauer and Diane Schanzenbach find that the SNAP cost shift to states will fluctuate unpredictably and considerably from year to year solely based on random chance. 12110
Reposted by Lauren BauerKatie Bergh @katiebergh.bsky.social · 25/08/2026There are many problems with the SNAP cost shift to states. Here’s a big one: it means that billions of state dollars — and potentially some states’ ability to continue SNAP at all — will essentially be coming down to chance. 01610
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 25/08/2026New analysis from me & Diane Schanzenbach, possibly my favorite piece ever: We study the SNAP payment error rate and explain why tying how much a state will have to contribute toward SNAP payments to its PER is inherently empirically unstable. Remand. www.hamiltonproject.org/publication/... 34216
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 07/08/2026So glad all these ill-conceived and ineffective work requirement policies are kicking in. (SARCASM) 1405
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Others are arguing for a clean two-year delay. Fine. But I need to be clear: A farm bill that does not restore full federal funding for SNAP benefits isn't worth the paper it's marked up on. The cost shift onto states under OBBBA is a mistake. Fix it. www.hamiltonproject.org/publication/...hamiltonproject.orgSNAP cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will significantly impair recession response - The Hamilton ProjectLauren Bauer and Diane Schanzenbach analyze how SNAP cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will affect the program’s response to recessions. 054
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 05/08/2026SNAP benefits should be fully federally funded. The cost shift delay should turn into repeal. Any sweeteners that validate that the cost shift is going to happen are sour. 171
Reposted by Lauren BauerMAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger @mazonusa.bsky.social · 03/08/2026This week the Senate Ag Committee considers a "Farm Bill" that could end SNAP altogether in some states. Time to be "Alabama honest," says MAZON board member Lauren Bauer: the payment error rate isn't fraud, it's paperwork. Congress must delay the cost shift and fully fund SNAP.mazon.orgIt’s Time to be 'Alabama Honest' About SNAP Cuts - MAZONBy Lauren Bauer, Member of MAZON’s Board of Directors This Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee will mark up the Farm Bill, which includes a one-year delay and even higher penalties for the SNAP... 054
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 03/08/2026I wrote a short piece for @mazonusa.bsky.social on why it's important that Alabama's state government and Alabamians are being honest about the likely consequence of the SNAP cost shift: dropping out of the program. It's short - please read! mazon.org/news/its-tim... 053
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 01/08/2026The timing/sequencing issues with the SNAP cost shift are only one of the worst aspects of the policy design. The second worst aspect is the incentive to drop eligible participants. The first worst aspect is that whole states are going to drop out of the program entirely. 1168
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Awesome job alert: The Center on Poverty and Social Policy is hiring for a (PhD-holding) research director to manage a national, state, and NYC policy portfolio and supervise their analysts. Apply here: povertycenter.columbia.edu/lead-our-res... #econskypovertycenter.columbia.eduJoin Our Team as Research Director | Center on Poverty and Social Policy 079
Reposted by Lauren Bauertony romm @tonyromm.bsky.social · 24/07/2026NEW: In a stunning admission, the Trump administration admitted in court documents that it canceled billions in energy grants to states "based solely" on politics -- and whether that state was represented by Democrats and backed Harris in 2024. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/b...nytimes.comTrump Administration Admits Canceling Grants to States That Did Not Vote for HimFederal officials said in court documents that they halted billions of dollars in funding for energy projects to states “based solely” on whether they backed President Trump in the 2024 election. 28961192932
Reposted by Lauren BauerJay Shambaugh @jaycshambaugh.bsky.social · 21/07/2026This is entirely unsurprising,but still important to track and take note of. Work requirements and other high hurdles of paperwork keep eligible people who need support from accessing benefits. Kids will go hungry. We could all see it coming. Doesn’t make it less horrible. 0235
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Well it took two more weeks and a New York Times front page story, but I'm delighted to see the internet talking about the devastating (and reversible with political will and serious effort) cuts to SNAP. 24010
Reposted by Lauren BauerJay Shambaugh @jaycshambaugh.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Congress desperately needs to re-assert control over tariff (tax) policy, by getting rid of these old laws that everyone assumed no one would use. Our system is not intended to let one person raise taxes on a whim. 56618
Reposted by Lauren BauerKatie Bergh @katiebergh.bsky.social · 13/07/2026NEW: A year after H.R. 1 enacted the deepest SNAP cuts in history, the number of children receiving SNAP nationwide has likely dropped by more than 1.5 million, based on our analysis of available data from 17 states. www.cbpp.org/research/foo...cbpp.orgSNAP Tracker: People Are Losing Food Assistance as the Republican Megabill Is ImplementedSNAP participation nationwide fell by more than 4 million people (nearly 10 percent) between the law’s July 2025 enactment and March 2026, based on the latest month of data. 512189
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 07/07/2026Millions of people are losing access to food benefits right now for literally no good reason and I wish more people were aware and talking about it. www.cbpp.org/research/foo... (As opposed to or at least in addition to the other stuff.)cbpp.orgSNAP Tracker: People Are Losing Food Assistance as the Republican Megabill Is ImplementedSNAP participation nationwide fell by more than 4 million people (nearly 10 percent) between the law’s July 2025 enactment and March 2026, based on the latest month of data. 32014
Reposted by Lauren BauerThe Hamilton Project @hamiltonproject.org · 06/07/2026Signed into law on July 4 last year, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will make SNAP substantially and detrimentally less responsive to economic downturns, @laurenhlb.bsky.social and Diane Schanzenbach warn. Read more:hamiltonproject.orgSNAP cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will significantly impair recession response - The Hamilton ProjectLauren Bauer and Diane Schanzenbach analyze how SNAP cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will affect the program’s response to recessions. 05519
Reposted by Lauren BauerThe Hamilton Project @hamiltonproject.org · 02/07/2026Prime-age women with young children are participating in the labor force at or near record rates. @laurenhlb.bsky.social spoke to @nytimes.com’s @clairecm.bsky.social about some of the factors driving their participation: www.nytimes.com/2026/06/21/u...nytimes.comHow Remote Work Has Helped a Generation of Working Parents 021
Reposted by Lauren BauerThe Fig Economy @figgityfigs.bsky.social · 01/07/2026Basically this seems like the administrative version of “self-deportation”: make compliance with the program onerous enough that states will simply opt out. 2235
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 01/07/2026Working on the next piece from me and Diane Schanzenbach on OBBBA and the SNAP benefit state cost shift ... and it is really unbelievable that there isn't a lick of guidance yet on this (Section 10105). 140
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 29/06/2026ICYMI: We've updated @hamiltonproject.org's SNAP Payment Error Rate tracker with FY2025 data. It shows that 35 states are in danger of having to pay 5, 10, or 15 percent of SNAP benefits in FY2027 unless Congress acts. www.hamiltonproject.org/data/snap-pa...hamiltonproject.orgSNAP payment error rates by state, FY 2003–25 - The Hamilton ProjectThis data interactive shows SNAP payment error rates for the U.S. and for each state from fiscal year 2003 through fiscal year 2025. 022
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 25/06/2026The Hamilton Project SNAP Payment Error Rate data interactive is now updated with FY2025 numbers. www.hamiltonproject.org/data/snap-pa...hamiltonproject.orgSNAP payment error rates by state, FY 2003–25 - The Hamilton ProjectThis data interactive shows SNAP payment error rates for the U.S. and for each state from fiscal year 2003 through fiscal year 2025. 022
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 25/06/2026In FY2028, 15 states and DC will have SNAP benefits fully paid for by the federal government because they have a payment error rate below 6% or above 13.32%. The remaining 35 states may have to pay 5% (6 states), 10% (16), or 15% (13) of benefits. (*May bc they can try again w/ FY26 PERs). Madness. 010
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 25/06/2026There has to be a two year delay for the SNAP state cost shift. At minimum. (I support repeal.) 140
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 23/06/2026This is not only a Democratic demand. Anyone can freely call up Alabama state officials and be disabused of this. 110
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 21/06/2026Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and moms trying to do it all, and the workplaces that are trying to help. How Remote Work Has Helped a Generation of Working Parents www.nytimes.com/2026/06/21/u... 14811
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 17/06/2026It would be really useful if more than 12 states were to put out demographic information about SNAP participants starting immediately. 021
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026At a time when (too many) are focused on cutting taxes, The Hamilton Project is working on sensible ways to raise revenue. Today, we're releasing three new policy proposals on how to do revenue-raising business tax reform, summarized here: www.hamiltonproject.org/publication/... 1/2hamiltonproject.orgTaking on tax: Toward progressive revenue-raising business tax reform - The Hamilton ProjectHamilton Project director Aviva Aron-Dine discusses three new Hamilton Project proposals that offer ideas to raise revenue from business tax reform. 210
Reposted by Lauren BauerThe Hamilton Project @hamiltonproject.org · 15/06/2026TOMORROW at 3 PM ET: @hamiltonproject.org, @taxlawcenter.org, and @taxpolicycenter.bsky.social are hosting an event on business tax reform. www.hamiltonproject.org/event/taking... 123
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 14/06/2026This is my pinned post. We are still putting out the federal outlay tracker updates every day. 033
Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 12/06/2026AFAIK, this is the first on-the-record statement from a state (Alabama!) that the SNAP cost-shift could end the program. “Absent any federal guidance, there’s only 3 current options available to us...And that is either pay the cost share if we’re over 6%, get the rate under 6%, or end the program.” 188