Niskanen Center

In our recent analysis with The Brookings Institution and American Enterprise Institute, we estimated the economic impact of four potential immigration scenarios under a Trump and Harris administration– based on the likely immigration policies of both candidates. The paper outlines a wide range of possible outcomes, and demonstrates how a "high" immigration scenario could contribute to healthy GDP growth.

We’re excited to welcome Adam Nicholson, PhD to Niskanen! Adam brings over a decade of experience conducting rigorous research on a range of issues, including poverty and inequality, social movements, racial disparities, and more. He earned his PhD in Sociology from Indiana University and, most recently, Adam worked for the DoD. Please join us in welcoming Adam to the team.

Fundamental principles of American democracy are coming under stress amid our intense polarization. But there's reason to be optimistic! Kodiak Hill-Davis was at the #Abundance2024 conference this week to explain how pragmatic policy proposals to eliminate scarcity, promote opportunity, and improve government efficiency can unite coalitions from across the political spectrum. 

We are accepting applications for our 2025 internship program! Apply today! https://lnkd.in/erz6Q-YN

In fiscal year 2020, the U.S. resettled 11,000 refugees. In fiscal year 2024, the U.S. resettled 100,000 refugees. Through a concerted effort between USCIS, the State Department, USDS and NGOs, the Refugee program has come roaring back and—thanks to those joint efforts—100,000 people left danger in their home countries to start their lives in America. I'm proud of the role USCIS and tech played to contribute to these record breaking numbers. Read the Niskanen Center's analysis (featuring Jennifer Pahlka) here: https://lnkd.in/eNDB-cms

"We literally cannot produce any more primary care doctors than we did in 1998." In 1998, the federal government capped the rate at which we produced primary care doctors. Now, there's a shortage of primary care providers, which is a problem, because primary care is the backbone of our health system! Two things need to happen, explains Lawson Mansell: 1️⃣ Incentivize primary care at the Medicare level.  2️⃣ Restructure the way we finance residencies. 

The U.S. Department of Energy announced earlier this week that it will conduct a product-level carbon intensity study for certain industrial products. This is part of the broader initiative led by the Biden Administration's White House Task Force on Climate, Trade, and Industrial Competitiveness. I discussed with Emma Dumain from the E&E News about the implications of this pilot study and what it means for the pending bipartisan and bicameral PROVE IT Act. Two quick thoughts: 1. This administration-led initiative may weaken the political momentum towards a Congressional bill mandating a broader product-level carbon intensity study. 2. The key question is: what will the carbon intensity data be used for? It would be problematic if it is used to enact stand-alone carbon tariffs without a domestic carbon price.

Some critics claim fully refundable child tax credits recreate welfare as we knew it. There's some validity to the concern – but only in the case of states where these credits begin to phase out at very low thresholds and at steep rates. My new commentary:

We are a proud supporter of the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) Grid Forum! Join us there to hear about national security considerations, and what’s next for regional and interregional transmission planning. Use code “Partner10” at checkout. https://buff.ly/4efr7Rn

Cecilia Esterline: "Project 2025 is still the best indicator of what’s in store for immigration should Trump win a 2nd term."