PPI

After a disappointing 2024 election, some Democrats are turning to economic populism as the path forward. But in Le Monde, PPI’s Richard Kahlenberg argues that this approach misses the mark. Reviving the party’s appeal, he writes, requires more than class-based rhetoric — it demands a renewed moral and civic vision that bridges divides across race and class. Drawing on Robert F. Kennedy’s legacy of liberal patriotism, Kahlenberg highlights a model that championed civil rights and fair treatment for Black and Hispanic Americans, while emphasizing jobs over aid and being tough on crime. https://lnkd.in/erym8xgH

PPI’s Mary Guenther has submitted formal comments on the EU Space Act, urging the European Commission to reconsider a regulatory proposal that could undermine innovation and transatlantic cooperation in the space sector. As drafted, the Act could raise satellite production costs by up to 30%, impose unworkable technical requirements, and create de facto non-tariff barriers—particularly for U.S. companies. https://lnkd.in/e6J74Gg7

With regional escalation looming and U.S. support for Ukraine increasingly uncertain, Europe faces a pivotal moment. At a timely discussion hosted earlier this week, Tamar Jacoby—Director of PPI’s New Ukraine Project—joined Estonian Ambassador Kristjan Prikk, American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Dalibor Rohac, and The Hill’s Laura Kelly to examine how Europe and the U.S. can strengthen their response to Russian aggression and reinforce Ukraine’s defense.

Social Security is the cornerstone of retirement security for tens of millions of Americans—but it's on track to become insolvent by 2032, triggering a 24% across-the-board cut in benefits. The time for half-measures and political avoidance is over. In a new MarketWatch feature, PPI’s Ben Ritz outlines a forward-thinking plan to rebuild the program around a simple, powerful idea: benefits should reward years of work—not just income. PPI’s proposed framework would: 🔹 Provide robust, poverty-preventing benefits to anyone who works 20+ years 🔹 Offer caregiver credits and incentivize longer work lives 🔹 Modernize retirement ages and adjust COLAs to better reflect inflation 🔹 Close half the funding shortfall through benefit reforms alone 🔹 Preserve Social Security as an earned benefit—without overburdening younger workers https://lnkd.in/eKdNAEqX

Union Podcast Episode 17 LIVE: The Union with Curtis Valentine and Keri Rodrigues — the latest in public education news, policy, and politics. Today: David Osborne joins to discuss his Turnaround documentary and lessons from New Orleans’ schools, plus updates on the shutdown’s impact on special education.

Market power bottlenecks in the seed and fertilizer industries are raising costs for farmers, inflating food prices for consumers, and weakening the resilience and innovation of the American agricultural system. This week, Diana Moss testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on how lax antitrust enforcement has enabled consolidation across agricultural input markets. She outlined how concentrated control over seeds, fertilizer, and digital farming tools is squeezing producers, limiting consumer choice, and threatening the sustainability of U.S. food systems. https://lnkd.in/eRSvQF8e

Unilateral tariffs raise important questions—not just about economic impact, but about constitutional limits and executive authority. At the 2025 New Liberal Action Summit, Ed Gresser joined a timely discussion on how trade policy affects everyday Americans and why the Supreme Court is now reviewing the legality of tariffs imposed without congressional approval. The panel examined a wave of tariffs enacted under President Trump—imposed unilaterally through executive order and framed as national security measures. As the Supreme Court prepares to weigh in, the conversation underscored why U.S. trade policy must be economically sound, legally accountable, and anchored in the rule of law—not wielded as a tool of political discretion. https://lnkd.in/eVRwCgay

In a new article for ProMarket, Diana Moss examines how antitrust enforcement and regulatory oversight are being weaponized for political ends. She argues that the growing interference by the executive branch is undermining due process, eroding the rule of law, and weakening the foundations of U.S. market competition. Using recent merger cases and the temporary removal of Jimmy Kimmel’s show as examples, Moss explains how regulatory decisions are increasingly being shaped by political loyalty rather than economic evidence. https://lnkd.in/g_JgV43a

A thriving U.S. space sector drives innovation, strengthens national competitiveness, and creates high-skilled jobs. At last week’s New Liberal Action Summit, Rep. George Whitesides and Mary Guenther underscored the need for sustained public investment, a diverse workforce, and smart, forward-looking regulation to chart a bold course for the future of U.S. space exploration. https://lnkd.in/dCAQmYFp

As the war in Ukraine continues, signs of escalation beyond its borders are growing—from drone incursions over NATO airspace to direct threats against European infrastructure. These “gray zone” provocations raise urgent questions about the resilience of the transatlantic alliance and the resolve of Western democracies. What message is Moscow sending, and how should the United States and its European allies respond? Join the Progressive Policy Institute this Wednesday, October 29, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar for a critical conversation on the shifting dynamics of the Ukraine war and the strategic implications for U.S. and European security. ➡️ Tamar Jacoby, Director, PPI’s New Ukraine Project ➡️ Kristjan Prikk, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia ➡️ Dalibor Rohac, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute Moderated by Laura Kelly, Foreign Policy Reporter, The Hill https://lnkd.in/e2CP7P5z