Former BLS commissioner @ericagroshen.bsky.social tells me she views this budget "with alarm."
If the cuts go through, she said, “What you lose there is first of all resilience and modernization" -- both of which are badly needed right now.
BLS staffing is down 25% but they are now allowed to hire again.
www.usajobs.gov/job/859334800
On the nomination of Brett Matsumoto as BLS commissioner, #CornellILR senior economics advisor @ericagroshen.bsky.social says: "I was happy to see that we’re getting someone who has a strong professional record and knows BLS from the inside."
#CornellILR's @ericagroshen.bsky.social says New York's effort to track AI-related layoffs is a start, but argues employers should be required to share more detailed data on changing skills and occupations so workers can navigate transitions, rather than simply labeling job losses as caused by AI.
Yes, @aaronsojourner.org, exactly right. No one outside BLS sees numbers before they are final. And the Commissioner does not see preliminary numbers. The processes used are decentralized & automated. Fudging would disrupt the system, be noticeable, and staff would talk.
It is confusing.
At BLS, the Consumer Expenditure Survey is usually referred to as the “CE” or “CEX” to avoid just that confusion.
@crampell.bsky.social @samsutton.bsky.social
#labor #labormarket #economics #BLS #BEA #Census #ERS #SOI #NASS #NCSES #ORES #EIA #NCES #NCHS #BJS #BTS
@betseystevenson.bsky.social @aaronsojourner.org @apduorg.bsky.social @copafs.bsky.social @nabe-econ.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social @nickhartphd.bsky.social @bencasselman.bsky.social
#statistics #data #federalstatistics #datainfrastructure #federaldata #economicstatistics #officialstatistics #statisticalagencies #economicdata #CPI #unemployment #employment #GDP #monetarypolicy #inflation #jobs #jobsday #productivity #markets #infotech #finance
Bad news today.
The administration finalized a plan to remove civil service protections from about 50,000 federal workers, with no exemption for statistical or scientific agency personnel. This erodes protection of those agencies from political influence.
www.govexec.com/workforce/20... #econsky
@aaronsojourner.org @betseystevenson.bsky.social @justinwolfers.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social @nabe-econ.bsky.social @apduorg.bsky.social @copafs.bsky.social @c2er.bsky.social @jedkolko.bsky.social
#jobs #jobsday #statistics #data #employment #labormarket #labor #economics #finance
When the #jobsreport is released on Wed. significant shifts in the jobs benchmarks are anticipated.
The Friends of BLS has issued a statement outlining what to expect and the reasons why.
Don't fall for uninformed overreactions!
www.friendsofbls.org/updates/2026...
#econsky
Erica Groshen (@ericagroshen.bsky.social), senior labor market advisor at #CornellILR, said she supports the selection of Brett Matsumoto as the new commissioner, explaining: “He’s a B.L.S.-er, he’s a data nerd.”
Read more via @nytimes.com: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/b...
The next Commissioner must not only manage the difficult responsibilities inherent to the role, but also repair public trust, defend the agency against perceived political interference, and accelerate critical modernization efforts across all programs. These unusually fraught circumstances mean that the Senate’s upcoming advice and consent responsibilities could be the most consequential ever for the BLS. We, the Friends of BLS, are working every day for the success of the Bureau’s mission, and that mission depends mightily on the leadership of the Commissioner. Given the unique parameters surrounding this nomination and the crossroads at which the Bureau now stands, the Friends urge the Senate to conduct a thorough and timely review of Dr. Matsumoto’s qualifications, as it has every preceding nominee.
1. On Brett Matsumoto's Nomination for BLS Commissioner www.friendsofbls.org/updates/2026...
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Position closes on 1/27. #econsky
Please join me and my colleagues for this fun session!
#econbluesky #cpi #inflation #BLS #forecast #TIPS
@copafs.bsky.social @apduorg.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social @aaronsojourner.org @justinwolfers.bsky.social @steveliesman.bsky.social @jc-econ.bsky.social
New statement from Friends of BLS:
"Some controversy...erupted on Dec. 30 following release of a highly informative Q&A that addressed how [BLS] estimated the Nov. 2025 CPI.
We..find no reason to see the hand of politics anywhere in the Bureau’s CPI work..."
www.friendsofbls.org/updates/2025...
Livestreamed sessions from this weekend's American Economic Association annual gathering will be posted at www.aeaweb.org/conference/l...
@apduorg.bsky.social @copafs.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social @aaronsojourner.org @nabe-econ.bsky.social @jasonfurman.bsky.social @bencasselman.bsky.social @jedkolko.bsky.social @aeainformation.bsky.social
IMPORTANT: Includes link to a page on how to handle missing data. BLS won't insert the number for you. However, if you follow their advice, your estimate for CPI in October will be consistent with best practice and with what most others will use to fill in the gap. www.bls.gov/cpi/factshee...
12/30/25: New info from #BLS on impact of #shutdown on #CPI data, including:
How were Nov. indexes calculated?
Why BLS chose carry-forward imputation?
How missing Oct data will impact April 2026 rent & OER indexes?
Statistical weighting changes made in 11/25?
www.bls.gov/cpi/addition...
#econsky
Thank you all experts for explaining "why BLS can't just ask people whether they were unemployed in Oct for the household survey" to me
And this one from Erika is a clear and definite one if you like a TLDR
Welcome, my friends!
Hey, #EconSky!
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is here @usbls.bsky.social!
bsky.app/profile/usbl...
So great to see BLS back to work measuring and informing us about our large and dynamic economy.
It’s a great institution full of dedicated civil servants deeply committed their mission. They have had a tough year, and everyone is covering for someone who left. I thank them all for their service.
