A late-on-jobs-day SCOOP: The @BLS_gov shared more information about inflation with Wall Street “super users” than previously disclosed, emails from the agency show. The latest on this saga, from me and @jeannasmialek: nytimes.com/2024/04/05/bus…
Among the revelations here: - There was, in fact, a "super users" list (tho BLS said it was unsanctioned); - In at least one case, BLS shared methodological details that were not yet public (about used-car prices); - Recipients included employees at major hedge funds.
@bencasselman This is frustrating. You make this out to be some scandal when the truth is that some people are just more interested in deep details & the @BLS_gov was just being helpful & transparent. If you peppered them w/ questions you got answers which is what public service is about!
@bencasselman @BLS_gov If people don’t know how to pick up the phone & call the # on the front of the release that is their problem. More people are interested in detail now so the BLS can create a better structure but you are ihurting the reputation/standing of people who were just doing their job
@bencasselman @BLS_gov The more relevant back story is that even as public data are more and more valued the BLS is underfunded and understaffed and those trying to be good public servants are stretched to breaking point. Could they have managed this process better? Yes! But they would need resources…
@jc_econ @bencasselman @BLS_gov "the employee did engage in extended, one-on-one email exchanges with data users about how the inflation figures are put together" doesn't sound as if the person was pressed for time given that--I assume--this was an optional activity. I would think a better and probably less