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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

This is a conscious strategy called “starving the beast”

Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Loudoun County, Virginia is the richest county in the US just outside Washington, D.C. Data center advocates who say small rural towns can replicate its economic success and simultaneously give away special tax breaks to AI companies are dishonest. Here’s why: www.thepublicgood.net/p/dcs-riches...

thepublicgood.net

D.C.’s richest suburb has had a very different data center experience than rural America.

Rural communities don’t want to be “backwards and poor,” as the President said, but they also likely can’t be Loudoun County, Virginia.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Actually, a lazy, “one size fits all” data centers ban is a symptom of our inability to govern effectively on AI, energy, environmental, and antitrust issues. www.thepublicgood.net/p/just-banni...

thepublicgood.net

Just banning data centers is bad, actually.

Nuance is bad politics, but smart policy.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I’ve been hyper critical of AI data centers but this is a case where politics > good policy. A ban is a lazy substitute for actual governance on AI, privacy, environmental, and antitrust issues. www.thepublicgood.net/p/just-banni...

thepublicgood.net

Just banning data centers is bad, actually.

Nuance is bad politics, but smart policy.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

My new piece distills some of the debate around the Warren-Moreno proposal to maintain social security benefits and lift the payroll tax cap on incomes over $184,500. The probable alternative—automatic 22% cuts—devastates Appalachians in particular. ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/the-warren-m...

ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org

The Warren-Moreno proposal prevents Social Security cuts that could cost elderly Appalachians over $4,000 per year. – Ohio River Valley Institute

Lifting the Social Security payroll tax cap would bring in over $3 trillion and keep the program solvent into the next generation.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

I really don’t get the fuss over the reflecting pool and Abearham Lincoln Memorial??

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Genuinely curious how long he can manage to jawbone oil down with tweets— er— “truths”

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

The average American is exactly where they were economically at 11:59am on January 20, 2025 when Joe Biden was still the President. The only difference is that now there are more dead American soldiers and dead Iranians.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Last week’s higher-than-expected jobs report was fueled primarily by seasonal hiring in hospitality (summer travel + the U.S. is preparing to host the World Cup…) and local government hiring (seasonal park employees, etc). I’d still be skeptical declaring the economy is “strong”

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Bombing water and other civilian infrastructure in 100 degree heat is how you create the next generation of anti-American extremists, btw www.nytimes.com/live/2026/06...

nytimes.com

Iran War Live Updates: U.S.-Iran Strikes Risk Dangerous New Phase

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

I am often critical of JobsOhio and the corporate welfare model of economic development. But I also try to call balls and strikes & this approach could be a good step in a better direction for JobsOhio. Less smokestack chasing, more investment in our people. www.jobsohio.com/newsroom/new...

jobsohio.com

Gov. DeWine, Lt. Gov. Tressel, JobsOhio Announce $300M Experiential Learning Initiative to Address Talent Gaps and Bolster Career Awareness

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Buckeye Environmental Network @buckeyeenviro.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

“Freepoint’s Hebron plastic incinerator was an environmental health disaster that exemplified the reality of the so-called 'chemical recycling' industry,” BEN organizer Cat Adams said in a news release.

newarkadvocate.com

Freepoint Eco-Systems suspends recycling operations at Hebron plant

Freepoint Eco-Systems informed the Ohio EPA that it suspended recycling operations at its Hebron plant, which had been found noncompliant multiple times.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Despite Trump scaring paper oil prices down with vague “Iran deal” talk, there is a harsh physical reality coming as oil reserves hit bottom this summer. The price of gas has risen ~40% *with* the reserves during war. Each day the Strait of Hormuz remains closed makes the looming energy shock worse

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

If this is true, I’ve never been less proud to be an American. Targeting first responders with a second strike on a bridge is un-American. Becoming terrorists to fight terrorism is disgusting.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

This remake is weird. The target audience seems to be millennial parents who want to introduce their sub 10yo kids to Potter. But it’s not like the movies have aged that poorly? I have friends “looking forward” to it but it’s not an “omg” excitement. Tough to see it sustaining viewers for 10 years

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

“Mexico will pay for the wall”

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Hopefully lawmakers don’t revive this version of “Team WV” down the road. The data shows, as we wrote this week, that JobsOhio’s results don’t match the privatization hype. ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/copying-and-...

ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org

Copying and pasting ‘JobsOhio’ is a bad idea for West Virginia. – Ohio River Valley Institute

JobsOhio, the state's economic development arm, hasn’t delivered a jobs boom. Copying the program won't help West Virginians, either.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Following great work by @ohiocapitaljournal.com and Scioto Analysis, this week at ORVI I deep dive the economic report card after 15 years of JobsOhio. This is important as West Virginia legislators plan to copy the private economic development program. ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/copying-and-...

ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org

Copying and pasting ‘JobsOhio’ is a bad idea for West Virginia. – Ohio River Valley Institute

JobsOhio, the state's economic development arm, hasn’t delivered a jobs boom. Copying the program won't help West Virginians, either.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

West Virginia legislators are misguided in their latest attempt to copy Ohio by privatizing the state’s economic development. I chronicle JobsOhio’s shortcomings in great detail in this week’s post. open.substack.com/pub/ohiorive...

open.substack.com

Copying and pasting ‘JobsOhio’ is a bad idea for West Virginia.

By Nick Messenger, Economist & Senior Researcher

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Trump really trying to speed run Bush’s second term.

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Jacobin @jacobinmag.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

It’s not enough just to oppose this war on Iran. We should demand major cuts to the US military budget, starting with cutting it in half.

jacobin.com

Cut the Military Budget in Half

It’s not enough just to oppose this war on Iran. We should demand major cuts to the US military budget, starting with cutting it in half.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

And so many policies he has enacted that raise prices at the same time: more LNG exports, data center expansion (even behind the grid, they need their own fuel), tariffs on materials & equipment for infrastructure, & cutting off support for renewable development. open.substack.com/pub/ohiorive...

open.substack.com

Why “drill, baby, drill” won’t lower your utility bills

Increasing fracking and drilling operations could help energy companies, foreign consumers, tech companies, and shareholders— but not struggling Americans.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

This week, I wrote about the mismatch between President Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” supply side rhetoric and the demand side energy realities. What is driving our utility bills higher? substack.com/profile/6007...

substack.com

Ohio River Valley Institute (@ohiorivervalleyinstitute)

How is it that America can be producing more energy than ever before, yet our utility bills continue to rise? And, more importantly, what is the likelihood that the Trump administration will be able t...

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Justin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

On immigration: "I often am asked to speak as an economist. And what we should never lose sight of is that each of us is a moral being. And you, as I, have to decide how we feel about this form of rhetoric."

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

This will be the first of many such announcements. I really don’t think the global economy is ready for the restructuring that is starting to hit.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Truly the best graph on AI that I’ve seen.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

What shouldn’t be missed is that between the bragging and blaming, President Trump offered exactly zero new policy ideas in last night’s State of the Union. No concrete or realistic plans to help address the economic struggles normal Americans are feeling.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

It also seems like just yesterday I remember being told by the Biden admin that there were no workarounds to Supreme Court rulings and student loans would just need repaid. 🥺 Time flies

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

“Plans a workaround” is a hell of a way to say “President vows to continue illegal thing court already ruled on”

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

I cross-referenced FracTracker’s US data center dataset with whether their state offers a sales tax exemption for data centers — $100s of millions in chips & cooling equipment. Tech companies chase these tax breaks. Revenue that could support schools, police, roads, & other services for residents.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

A quick summary of Friday’s jobs data, including some white collar AI and manufacturing industry trends I’m tracking. In short, it’s probably the worst year to be graduating with a college degree since 2009. DOGE deferred resignations also showing up publicgood.substack.com/p/jobs-round...

publicgood.substack.com

Jobs Roundup: January 2026

A quick overview of the newest U.S. jobs numbers and industry trends and AI.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

This is a textbook example of “actions speak louder than words.”

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

What a dumb op ed of made up facts.The kid “might have” had a gun! (he didn’t) The professor could be “protecting people in the classroom behind him” (it was an elevator). How did he get in the building?! (It’s public) Slop from The Dispatch to waste e-space on this www.dispatch.com/story/opinio...

dispatch.com

‘Clown’ OSU professor tackled is lucky he didn't tangle with guys I know | Opinion

John Fortney: Some of the guys I trained with would’ve made sure the hoodie-wearing cameraman tackled by an Ohio State professor didn’t get up.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Analysis has shown that leftover brine from oil and gas drilling, while cheaper than salt, often has high levels of radium and other heavy metals. Banning it from streets, where it seeps into ground water and local waterways, would protect millions of Ohioans abc6onyourside.com/news/local/o...

abc6onyourside.com

Ohio Democrats push to ban 'radioactive brine' as an ice remover for state roadways

Democratic state lawmakers are pushing to ban the use of oil and gas brine on Ohio roadways, warning that the common winter de-icing practice is "infecting" the

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Legislature: *cuts billions from public schools in their budget* Legislature: “property taxes are too high! Why are you guys cutting so much? The schools are not being responsible!”

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Jim Small @jimsmall.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

This professor, Luke Perez, used to teach at ASU. He was an instructor for the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, the "freedom school" that was launched with Koch money before the #azleg pumped millions into it. Background on that: azcir.org/news/2018/05...

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Looking forward to digging into this new book from chrisbriem.bsky.social about the future (or lack thereof) of steel in Pittsburgh. Seems to dovetail with much of my own work— smokestack chasing & corporate welfare rather than reckoning with deindustrialization head-on has put our region behind.

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Ohio Capital Journal @ohiocapitaljournal.com · 11/02/2026

U.S. job estimates for 2025 were revised down this week by more than a million jobs, to a level of low growth rarely seen outside of recessions. ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/02/11/r...

ohiocapitaljournal.com

Jobs report shows a historic stall in hiring last year • Ohio Capital Journal

U.S. job estimates for 2025 were revised down this week by more than a million jobs, to a level of low growth rarely seen outside of recessions.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

As always, thanks to @rooster.info for being unafraid to name names and post the receipts.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Ah yes, the Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at Ohio State…where you get violently assaulted for legally asking questions about former board chair Les Wexner’s known connections to Epstein in public spaces. My alma mater continues its streak of embarassments www.wosu.org/politics-gov...

wosu.org

Ohio State Chase Center professor placed on administrative leave after assaulting cameraman

The Ohio political blog, The Rooster, published video showing Chase Center Assistant Professor Luke Perez hitting a cameraman and then throwing him to the ground.

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Jonathan M. Katz @katz.theracket.news · 11/02/2026

This is El Paso, where the airspace has been shut down without explanation for ten days btw

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

To be clear, I’m just “educated speculating” from what publicly is available. I hope I’m wrong. :(

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Probably not possible or safe to attempt if you’ve also got public commercial passengers coming and going. Also invites protesters and advocates. Mexican airspace did not have an advisory, which makes me suspect it’s not military action.

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Nick Messenger @nickmessenger.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Depending on the source you’ve got about 80,000 detainees nationally. If you’re moving a sizable chunk through the airport in a short time frame, I think it’s less about the airspace and more about them setting up processing at the airport. Flights coming and going. Booking. Bus loading.

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