Think Tanks
Here's a look at documents from think tanks
Think Tanks
Featured Stories
Hudson Institute Issues Commentary: Ukraine Military Situation Report on Oct. 14, 2026
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- Hudson Institute, a research organization that says it promotes leadership for a secure, free and prosperous future, issued the following commentary:
* * *
Ukraine Military Situation Report | October 14
Can Kasapoglu
Executive Summary
* Battlefield assessment. Though the front lines remained largely unchanged, Ukrainian officials said that Russian forces are suffering monthly combat losses of more than 50,000 personnel.
* Missile defense. Russian ballistic missile strikes continued to strain Ukraine's interceptor stocks, and proposed production partnerships with Europe ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- Hudson Institute, a research organization that says it promotes leadership for a secure, free and prosperous future, issued the following commentary: * * * Ukraine Military Situation Report | October 14 Can Kasapoglu Executive Summary * Battlefield assessment. Though the front lines remained largely unchanged, Ukrainian officials said that Russian forces are suffering monthly combat losses of more than 50,000 personnel. * Missile defense. Russian ballistic missile strikes continued to strain Ukraine's interceptor stocks, and proposed production partnerships with Europeoffer Kyiv no immediate relief.
* Russian data centers under attack. Ukrainian drone strikes hit data centers belonging to the Russian internet company Yandex, disrupting services across Russia and neighboring countries.
* Campaign against Ukrainian bridges. Reports suggested that Russian General Sergei Surovikin may soon lead a coordinated campaign against Ukraine's bridges over the Dnipro River.
-
1. Battlefield Assessment
Ukraine has long sought to impose a casualty rate of more than 50,000 personnel per month on Russian forces, an objective Kyiv advanced under former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Ukrainian officials published figures for September that indicate the country has now achieved this goal. According to Ukrainian reports, Russian personnel losses reached the 50,000 mark for the first time last month.
If this claim is confirmed, it would represent a significant milestone in Kyiv's effort to erode Moscow's capacity to sustain offensive operations. The Ukrainian military's Operation Vivaldi, which took back roughly 40 square miles of previously occupied territory, inflicted almost 20 percent of the losses that Russian forces suffered in September. The broader military effects of this dynamic will depend on whether Ukraine can continue to attrit Russian forces at current levels--and on whether Moscow's recruitment and force-regeneration efforts can offset its losses.
Despite the carnage, however, the battlefield geometry saw no changes at the strategic level last week. As in previous weeks, the operational tempo remained elevated, with Russia and Ukraine waging more than 200 tactical engagements per day. Pokrovsk, Kupiansk, Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, and Huliaipole again remained the principal flashpoints once again.
In other news, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence suggested that Russia's defense industry has adapted the Geran-4 jet-powered drone, a derivative of the Iran-designed Shahed, for strikes against bridge infrastructure. Forthcoming technical assessments of Russian strikes, examinations of strike debris, and any intelligence assessments released by Ukraine will determine the operational implications of these reported modifications. If confirmed, Russia's adaptations of its Geran drones would be significant for both Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Bridges along NATO's eastern flank are important to move reinforcements, sustain deployed forces, and connect frontline allies with the alliance's wider military capabilities.
In another important development, Russia's sustained ballistic missile campaign placed additional pressure on Ukraine's depleted stocks of interceptors. On October 13, ballistic missiles struck Kyiv for the second time in 24 hours, hitting residential and energy infrastructure and slipping past the city's ballistic-missile attack-warning system. Patriot missile shortages have already been straining Ukrainian defenses. Any disruption in Western intelligence sharing with would leave Kyiv more vulnerable to Russian long-range strikes.
Against this backdrop, Lockheed Martin reportedly announced that it is exploring partnerships with European countries for Patriot PAC-3 interceptors. These ventures include potential cooperation with Germany's Diehl Defense to help meet Ukraine's--and Europe's--growing demand for air- and missile-defense magazine depth. The company is also considering cooperating with Ukraine on the less expensive Adapted Capability Effector interceptor, a weapon designed for less sophisticated threats than those addressed by the high-end PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement variant.
Given the vulnerability of Ukrainian factories to Russian strikes, Lockheed is examining the feasibility of producing these munitions in nearby countries, with a possible subsequent expansion into Ukraine. These options depend on many factors, including United States government approval, industrial capacity, and component availability. As a result, Lockheed's contributions would expand supply rather than provide immediate relief for Ukraine's interceptor shortage.
2. Ukraine Disrupts Russia's Digital Backbone: Drone Strikes Target Data Centers
Between October 8 and 11, Ukraine struck three data centers belonging to the Russian internet company Yandex, disrupting cloud infrastructure, payment systems, transportation applications, and commercial platforms throughout Russia and across Central Asia and the Caucasus. Ukraine's drone campaign against Russian data centers has exposed a vulnerability at the heart of Moscow's digital economy: the concentration of essential services in only a few physical facilities. The consequences of this campaign extend beyond Russia, underscoring the region's dependence on Moscow's technology infrastructure. Russia's digital reach has become a transmission mechanism for disruption beyond its borders.
Ukraine's strikes unfolded in rapid succession. On October 8, a drone attack damaged the Sasovo data center southeast of Moscow, a facility that housed two supercomputers. The following day, Ukraine struck a larger complex in the Kaluga region, southwest of the capital. A third facility near Vladimir, east of Moscow, was hit on October 11.
Yandex acknowledged that operations at Sasovo had stopped entirely and that the strikes had disabled its infrastructure in Kaluga. After Ukraine struck the Vladimir facility, it also went offline. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the campaign as retaliation for Russian attacks on Ukraine's own data centers. In September, Russian strikes on facilities in the Kyiv region interrupted internet access for tens of thousands of households.
Kyiv's strikes introduced a new vulnerability into Russia's economic hinterland. Often referred to as Russia's Google, Yandex occupies a position in the country's economic landscape that extends well beyond internet search functions. The firm provides services that encompass navigation, email, digital payments, ride-hailing, food delivery, and cloud computing. Yandex Go, an application produced by the company, combines functions that Western consumers associate with Uber and DoorDash, while Yandex Cloud supplies computing infrastructure to more than 64,000 customers.
This breadth gives the firm considerable commercial reach--and exposes it to unique vulnerabilities. Yandex's extensive operations create channels through which damage to its infrastructure can propagate across otherwise unrelated sectors. These disruptions reportedly rippled across Russia yesterday, affecting 80 Yandex services, including the Alisa voice assistant, Yandex Music, smart-home applications, and Telemost video conferencing, as well as cloud storage, database platforms, and artificial intelligence tools.
Banking applications, retailers, and ride-hailing services also experienced connectivity problems. Reported bot traffic from the Yandex network fell to approximately 57 percent of its recent peak after the Sasovo strike and to 0.4 percent after the subsequent attacks. This figure suggests a sharp contraction of the company's automated network activity, although it does not measure the overall proportion of computing capacity that Ukraine's strikes disabled.
The practical consequences of these disruptions were immediate. Yandex Pay users reported difficulty transferring or withdrawing funds, while taxi drivers and couriers struggled to access their earnings. Some Yandex customers could not obtain refunds for failed purchases because verification messages could not reach their Yandex Mail accounts. Drivers using Yandex reported being advised to use Google Maps or Waze while the Russian company repaired its servers.
The disruptions also affected businesses throughout Central Asia and the Caucasus that depend on the company's cloud infrastructure. The strikes disrupted the grocery retailer Magnit, the fast-food chain Vkusno i Tochka, and the electronics retailer M.Video. Users in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan reported difficulties accessing services, while outages in Yerevan, Armenia, pushed customers toward a competing taxi platform, straining its capacity.
As of October 12, Yandex Cloud remained in a state of emergency operations. Company engineers worked around the clock to restore capabilities, as customer service representatives directed customers to alternative hosting and backup locations and technical support operations faced delays. Some of the company's applications had recovered by press time, but restoration remained uneven.
Rebuilding the firm's damaged infrastructure could prove far more onerous than restoring its individual services. In reporting on the company's difficulties, information-technology market participants estimated that replacing the equipment destroyed by Ukrainian strikes could take Yandex at least six months. Large server procurements are unlikely to be completed before the end of 2026.
Ukraine's attacks on Russian data centers demonstrate how one drone strike can produce effects far beyond a damaged building by interrupting transactions, transportation, and business operations across a dispersed customer base. The Ukrainian strike campaign illustrates how deeply the digital economy depends on fixed infrastructure--and how quickly that dependence can become a wartime liability. Moscow now faces a race to restore capacity and build sufficient redundancy before further Ukrainian strikes turn temporary disruptions into a persistent economic burden.
3. What to Look For in the Coming Weeks
On October 8, the Telegraph indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has called upon General Sergei Surovikin, removed from his position as commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces in August 2023, to direct attacks on Kyiv's bridges across the Dnipro River. Known as "General Armageddon," Surovikin also previously commanded Russian forces in Syria and led Russia's war effort in Ukraine, where he oversaw a sustained campaign against Ukrainian energy infrastructure. His reported return and assignment to target Ukraine's bridges remain unconfirmed but warrant scrutiny.
The October 7 edition of this report detailed deliberate Russian attacks on Ukrainian bridge infrastructure. If confirmed, Surovikin's return to lead a coordinated campaign against these crossings would carry significant military and logistical implications, and could threaten troop movements, resupply efforts, and connectivity across the river. In the coming weeks, this series will monitor evidence of Surovikin's operational role, the frequency and geographic spread of Russia's bridge strikes, and whether these attacks caused sustained transport disruptions.
* * *
Can Kasapoglu is a nonresident senior fellow at Hudson Institute. His work at Hudson focuses on political-military affairs in the Middle East, North Africa, and former Soviet regions.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.hudson.org/national-security-defense/ukraine-military-situation-report-october-14-can-kasapoglu
[Category: ThinkTank]
* * *
Ukraine Military Situation Report | October 14
Can Kasapoglu
Executive Summary
* Battlefield assessment. Though the front lines remained largely unchanged, Ukrainian officials said that Russian forces are suffering monthly combat losses of more than 50,000 personnel.
* Missile defense. Russian ballistic missile strikes continued to strain Ukraine's interceptor stocks, and proposed production partnerships with Europe ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- Hudson Institute, a research organization that says it promotes leadership for a secure, free and prosperous future, issued the following commentary: * * * Ukraine Military Situation Report | October 14 Can Kasapoglu Executive Summary * Battlefield assessment. Though the front lines remained largely unchanged, Ukrainian officials said that Russian forces are suffering monthly combat losses of more than 50,000 personnel. * Missile defense. Russian ballistic missile strikes continued to strain Ukraine's interceptor stocks, and proposed production partnerships with Europeoffer Kyiv no immediate relief.
* Russian data centers under attack. Ukrainian drone strikes hit data centers belonging to the Russian internet company Yandex, disrupting services across Russia and neighboring countries.
* Campaign against Ukrainian bridges. Reports suggested that Russian General Sergei Surovikin may soon lead a coordinated campaign against Ukraine's bridges over the Dnipro River.
-
1. Battlefield Assessment
Ukraine has long sought to impose a casualty rate of more than 50,000 personnel per month on Russian forces, an objective Kyiv advanced under former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Ukrainian officials published figures for September that indicate the country has now achieved this goal. According to Ukrainian reports, Russian personnel losses reached the 50,000 mark for the first time last month.
If this claim is confirmed, it would represent a significant milestone in Kyiv's effort to erode Moscow's capacity to sustain offensive operations. The Ukrainian military's Operation Vivaldi, which took back roughly 40 square miles of previously occupied territory, inflicted almost 20 percent of the losses that Russian forces suffered in September. The broader military effects of this dynamic will depend on whether Ukraine can continue to attrit Russian forces at current levels--and on whether Moscow's recruitment and force-regeneration efforts can offset its losses.
Despite the carnage, however, the battlefield geometry saw no changes at the strategic level last week. As in previous weeks, the operational tempo remained elevated, with Russia and Ukraine waging more than 200 tactical engagements per day. Pokrovsk, Kupiansk, Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, and Huliaipole again remained the principal flashpoints once again.
In other news, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence suggested that Russia's defense industry has adapted the Geran-4 jet-powered drone, a derivative of the Iran-designed Shahed, for strikes against bridge infrastructure. Forthcoming technical assessments of Russian strikes, examinations of strike debris, and any intelligence assessments released by Ukraine will determine the operational implications of these reported modifications. If confirmed, Russia's adaptations of its Geran drones would be significant for both Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Bridges along NATO's eastern flank are important to move reinforcements, sustain deployed forces, and connect frontline allies with the alliance's wider military capabilities.
In another important development, Russia's sustained ballistic missile campaign placed additional pressure on Ukraine's depleted stocks of interceptors. On October 13, ballistic missiles struck Kyiv for the second time in 24 hours, hitting residential and energy infrastructure and slipping past the city's ballistic-missile attack-warning system. Patriot missile shortages have already been straining Ukrainian defenses. Any disruption in Western intelligence sharing with would leave Kyiv more vulnerable to Russian long-range strikes.
Against this backdrop, Lockheed Martin reportedly announced that it is exploring partnerships with European countries for Patriot PAC-3 interceptors. These ventures include potential cooperation with Germany's Diehl Defense to help meet Ukraine's--and Europe's--growing demand for air- and missile-defense magazine depth. The company is also considering cooperating with Ukraine on the less expensive Adapted Capability Effector interceptor, a weapon designed for less sophisticated threats than those addressed by the high-end PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement variant.
Given the vulnerability of Ukrainian factories to Russian strikes, Lockheed is examining the feasibility of producing these munitions in nearby countries, with a possible subsequent expansion into Ukraine. These options depend on many factors, including United States government approval, industrial capacity, and component availability. As a result, Lockheed's contributions would expand supply rather than provide immediate relief for Ukraine's interceptor shortage.
2. Ukraine Disrupts Russia's Digital Backbone: Drone Strikes Target Data Centers
Between October 8 and 11, Ukraine struck three data centers belonging to the Russian internet company Yandex, disrupting cloud infrastructure, payment systems, transportation applications, and commercial platforms throughout Russia and across Central Asia and the Caucasus. Ukraine's drone campaign against Russian data centers has exposed a vulnerability at the heart of Moscow's digital economy: the concentration of essential services in only a few physical facilities. The consequences of this campaign extend beyond Russia, underscoring the region's dependence on Moscow's technology infrastructure. Russia's digital reach has become a transmission mechanism for disruption beyond its borders.
Ukraine's strikes unfolded in rapid succession. On October 8, a drone attack damaged the Sasovo data center southeast of Moscow, a facility that housed two supercomputers. The following day, Ukraine struck a larger complex in the Kaluga region, southwest of the capital. A third facility near Vladimir, east of Moscow, was hit on October 11.
Yandex acknowledged that operations at Sasovo had stopped entirely and that the strikes had disabled its infrastructure in Kaluga. After Ukraine struck the Vladimir facility, it also went offline. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the campaign as retaliation for Russian attacks on Ukraine's own data centers. In September, Russian strikes on facilities in the Kyiv region interrupted internet access for tens of thousands of households.
Kyiv's strikes introduced a new vulnerability into Russia's economic hinterland. Often referred to as Russia's Google, Yandex occupies a position in the country's economic landscape that extends well beyond internet search functions. The firm provides services that encompass navigation, email, digital payments, ride-hailing, food delivery, and cloud computing. Yandex Go, an application produced by the company, combines functions that Western consumers associate with Uber and DoorDash, while Yandex Cloud supplies computing infrastructure to more than 64,000 customers.
This breadth gives the firm considerable commercial reach--and exposes it to unique vulnerabilities. Yandex's extensive operations create channels through which damage to its infrastructure can propagate across otherwise unrelated sectors. These disruptions reportedly rippled across Russia yesterday, affecting 80 Yandex services, including the Alisa voice assistant, Yandex Music, smart-home applications, and Telemost video conferencing, as well as cloud storage, database platforms, and artificial intelligence tools.
Banking applications, retailers, and ride-hailing services also experienced connectivity problems. Reported bot traffic from the Yandex network fell to approximately 57 percent of its recent peak after the Sasovo strike and to 0.4 percent after the subsequent attacks. This figure suggests a sharp contraction of the company's automated network activity, although it does not measure the overall proportion of computing capacity that Ukraine's strikes disabled.
The practical consequences of these disruptions were immediate. Yandex Pay users reported difficulty transferring or withdrawing funds, while taxi drivers and couriers struggled to access their earnings. Some Yandex customers could not obtain refunds for failed purchases because verification messages could not reach their Yandex Mail accounts. Drivers using Yandex reported being advised to use Google Maps or Waze while the Russian company repaired its servers.
The disruptions also affected businesses throughout Central Asia and the Caucasus that depend on the company's cloud infrastructure. The strikes disrupted the grocery retailer Magnit, the fast-food chain Vkusno i Tochka, and the electronics retailer M.Video. Users in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan reported difficulties accessing services, while outages in Yerevan, Armenia, pushed customers toward a competing taxi platform, straining its capacity.
As of October 12, Yandex Cloud remained in a state of emergency operations. Company engineers worked around the clock to restore capabilities, as customer service representatives directed customers to alternative hosting and backup locations and technical support operations faced delays. Some of the company's applications had recovered by press time, but restoration remained uneven.
Rebuilding the firm's damaged infrastructure could prove far more onerous than restoring its individual services. In reporting on the company's difficulties, information-technology market participants estimated that replacing the equipment destroyed by Ukrainian strikes could take Yandex at least six months. Large server procurements are unlikely to be completed before the end of 2026.
Ukraine's attacks on Russian data centers demonstrate how one drone strike can produce effects far beyond a damaged building by interrupting transactions, transportation, and business operations across a dispersed customer base. The Ukrainian strike campaign illustrates how deeply the digital economy depends on fixed infrastructure--and how quickly that dependence can become a wartime liability. Moscow now faces a race to restore capacity and build sufficient redundancy before further Ukrainian strikes turn temporary disruptions into a persistent economic burden.
3. What to Look For in the Coming Weeks
On October 8, the Telegraph indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has called upon General Sergei Surovikin, removed from his position as commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces in August 2023, to direct attacks on Kyiv's bridges across the Dnipro River. Known as "General Armageddon," Surovikin also previously commanded Russian forces in Syria and led Russia's war effort in Ukraine, where he oversaw a sustained campaign against Ukrainian energy infrastructure. His reported return and assignment to target Ukraine's bridges remain unconfirmed but warrant scrutiny.
The October 7 edition of this report detailed deliberate Russian attacks on Ukrainian bridge infrastructure. If confirmed, Surovikin's return to lead a coordinated campaign against these crossings would carry significant military and logistical implications, and could threaten troop movements, resupply efforts, and connectivity across the river. In the coming weeks, this series will monitor evidence of Surovikin's operational role, the frequency and geographic spread of Russia's bridge strikes, and whether these attacks caused sustained transport disruptions.
* * *
Can Kasapoglu is a nonresident senior fellow at Hudson Institute. His work at Hudson focuses on political-military affairs in the Middle East, North Africa, and former Soviet regions.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.hudson.org/national-security-defense/ukraine-military-situation-report-october-14-can-kasapoglu
[Category: ThinkTank]
Coaching America Back to Greatness: AFPI Launches The Bruce Pearl Show
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The America First Policy Institute issued the following news release:
* * *
Coaching America Back to Greatness: AFPI Launches The Bruce Pearl Show
October 14, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the America First Policy Institute is proud to announce the launch of The Bruce Pearl Show, featuring championship-winning basketball Coach Bruce Pearl. Coach Pearl brings his energy and candor beyond the court and into conversations in his brand-new show, which will air biweekly. Coach Pearl will Coach America Back to Greatness through conversations with leaders shaping sports, culture, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The America First Policy Institute issued the following news release: * * * Coaching America Back to Greatness: AFPI Launches The Bruce Pearl Show October 14, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the America First Policy Institute is proud to announce the launch of The Bruce Pearl Show, featuring championship-winning basketball Coach Bruce Pearl. Coach Pearl brings his energy and candor beyond the court and into conversations in his brand-new show, which will air biweekly. Coach Pearl will Coach America Back to Greatness through conversations with leaders shaping sports, culture,faith, and the country.
The Bruce Pearl Show marks another step forward for AFPI in hosting conversations that build on America First principles for new audiences. The themes that Coach Pearl will touch on with his guests bring these principles to life, through stories and real-life experiences of athletes, fellow coaches, and leaders from around the country. The spirit of America First is integral to Coach Pearl's life and his approach to the candid conversations that will take shape on his show.
"I've spent my career coaching basketball, but the lessons that build winning teams don't stop at the edge of the court. Hard work, faith, and accountability matter, and being a part of something bigger than yourself is a worthy endeavor. That's what this show is about--sitting down with people who have something to say about where we are as a country, what made America great in the first place, and what each of us can do to keep it that way through the lens of sports, opportunity, and the impact of strong leadership. In sports, in life, and in our country, we can disagree, we can learn from each other, and we can still come together for something bigger than ourselves. That's how we start Coaching America Back to Greatness," said Coach Bruce Pearl.
The launch episode of The Bruce Pearl Show features basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. Pearl and Barkley touch on their shared Auburn experiences, faith, family, friendships, and the American dream.
AFPI is grateful for Coach Pearl's leadership and candor in driving important conversations and his efforts to Coach America Back to Greatness. Watch the launch episode here (https://americafirstpolicy.com/podcasts/the-bruce-pearl-show/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24346487169&gbraid=0AAAAAqMuaIrQiJVrIW_HM2VFRs73pwJW9&gclid=CjwKCAjw0LzWBhBOEiwAKQd0cNoCyoe5E38rtDCrZSvHd1X7kfZU7VtnPHb5b3fbM5lx53YwpAdyzBoCJAIQAvD_BwE).
* * *
Original text here: https://americafirstpolicy.com/issues/coaching-america-back-to-greatness-afpi-launches-the-bruce-pearl-show/
[Category: ThinkTank]
* * *
Coaching America Back to Greatness: AFPI Launches The Bruce Pearl Show
October 14, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the America First Policy Institute is proud to announce the launch of The Bruce Pearl Show, featuring championship-winning basketball Coach Bruce Pearl. Coach Pearl brings his energy and candor beyond the court and into conversations in his brand-new show, which will air biweekly. Coach Pearl will Coach America Back to Greatness through conversations with leaders shaping sports, culture, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The America First Policy Institute issued the following news release: * * * Coaching America Back to Greatness: AFPI Launches The Bruce Pearl Show October 14, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the America First Policy Institute is proud to announce the launch of The Bruce Pearl Show, featuring championship-winning basketball Coach Bruce Pearl. Coach Pearl brings his energy and candor beyond the court and into conversations in his brand-new show, which will air biweekly. Coach Pearl will Coach America Back to Greatness through conversations with leaders shaping sports, culture,faith, and the country.
The Bruce Pearl Show marks another step forward for AFPI in hosting conversations that build on America First principles for new audiences. The themes that Coach Pearl will touch on with his guests bring these principles to life, through stories and real-life experiences of athletes, fellow coaches, and leaders from around the country. The spirit of America First is integral to Coach Pearl's life and his approach to the candid conversations that will take shape on his show.
"I've spent my career coaching basketball, but the lessons that build winning teams don't stop at the edge of the court. Hard work, faith, and accountability matter, and being a part of something bigger than yourself is a worthy endeavor. That's what this show is about--sitting down with people who have something to say about where we are as a country, what made America great in the first place, and what each of us can do to keep it that way through the lens of sports, opportunity, and the impact of strong leadership. In sports, in life, and in our country, we can disagree, we can learn from each other, and we can still come together for something bigger than ourselves. That's how we start Coaching America Back to Greatness," said Coach Bruce Pearl.
The launch episode of The Bruce Pearl Show features basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. Pearl and Barkley touch on their shared Auburn experiences, faith, family, friendships, and the American dream.
AFPI is grateful for Coach Pearl's leadership and candor in driving important conversations and his efforts to Coach America Back to Greatness. Watch the launch episode here (https://americafirstpolicy.com/podcasts/the-bruce-pearl-show/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24346487169&gbraid=0AAAAAqMuaIrQiJVrIW_HM2VFRs73pwJW9&gclid=CjwKCAjw0LzWBhBOEiwAKQd0cNoCyoe5E38rtDCrZSvHd1X7kfZU7VtnPHb5b3fbM5lx53YwpAdyzBoCJAIQAvD_BwE).
* * *
Original text here: https://americafirstpolicy.com/issues/coaching-america-back-to-greatness-afpi-launches-the-bruce-pearl-show/
[Category: ThinkTank]
Center of the American Experiment Issues Commentary: Why a School Funding Amendment Could Put Legislators in a Budget Bind
MINNETONKA, Minnesota, Oct. 15 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary:
* * *
Why a school funding amendment could put legislators in a budget bind
Written by Martha Njolomole | October 13, 2026
This November, voters will decide whether the state should draw more money from the Permanent School Fund to increase per-pupil aid to schools.
In addition to the general fund-- the state's primary operating fund -- Minnesota public schools have historically received funding from a trust ... Show Full Article MINNETONKA, Minnesota, Oct. 15 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary: * * * Why a school funding amendment could put legislators in a budget bind Written by Martha Njolomole | October 13, 2026 This November, voters will decide whether the state should draw more money from the Permanent School Fund to increase per-pupil aid to schools. In addition to the general fund-- the state's primary operating fund -- Minnesota public schools have historically received funding from a trustfund. The trust, as Catrin Wigfall explains, is funded by revenue from mining and timber production on lands federally granted to the state in 1858.
"Under the Minnesota Constitution, the revenue is deposited into the Permanent School Fund (PSF), a constitutional trust that provides annual support for K-12 public education. As of March 2025, the fund is valued at $2.3 billion."
"Schools receive distributions from the fund's investment income (mainly interest and dividends). Annual distributions have generally been around 2 to 2.5 percent of the fund's value. The principal itself can't be spent, as the Minnesota Constitution requires it remain "perpetual and inviolate forever." If the fund experiences realized investment losses, those losses are recovered over time through a statutory smoothing process that can affect future income available for distribution. This is one reason payments can fluctuate from year to year.
"For FY 2025, the interest and dividends produced a record $58 million for the state's 329 public school districts and 181 charter schools, or about 0.4 percent of E-12 education's biennial budget. Statewide, that averaged out to about $68 per student. Anoka-Hennepin, the largest district, collected $2.6 million. Minneapolis got $2 million."
If the constitutional amendment passes, annual distributions will rise to 4.5 percent of the fund's market valuation.
So far, discussions around the amendment have largely ignored the state's deteriorating fiscal outlook. This is likely because, as currently structured, the trust is entirely separate from the general fund and operates as "extra" funding for public schools.
Minnesota's general fund budget, however, has operated on a structural deficit each year since 2024. E-12 education and Health and Human Services (HHS) are the state's two largest expenditures -- taking up over 70 percent of the budget -- and the two areas likely to deliver the necessary savings to close the deficit.
The Permanent School Fund could serve as a buffer for general fund spending cuts in E-12 Education in 2027. But this will require that the trust remains solvent long-term -- a difficult task to accomplish if the constitutional amendment passes.
For one, raising the annual distribution to 4.5 percent of the fund's valuation could eat into the principal, draining the trust over time. More immediately, it means no reserve option just as lawmakers head into what will likely be a brutal 2027 budget session.
Worst of all, the allure of "extra" funds might stall necessary spending reforms required to achieve long-term fiscal stability for both schools and the state.
* * *
Martha Njolomole is an Economist at Center of the American Experiment.
martha.njolomole@americanexperiment.org
* * *
Original text here: https://www.americanexperiment.org/why-a-school-funding-ammendment-could-put-legislators-in-a-budget-bind/
[Category: ThinkTank]
* * *
Why a school funding amendment could put legislators in a budget bind
Written by Martha Njolomole | October 13, 2026
This November, voters will decide whether the state should draw more money from the Permanent School Fund to increase per-pupil aid to schools.
In addition to the general fund-- the state's primary operating fund -- Minnesota public schools have historically received funding from a trust ... Show Full Article MINNETONKA, Minnesota, Oct. 15 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary: * * * Why a school funding amendment could put legislators in a budget bind Written by Martha Njolomole | October 13, 2026 This November, voters will decide whether the state should draw more money from the Permanent School Fund to increase per-pupil aid to schools. In addition to the general fund-- the state's primary operating fund -- Minnesota public schools have historically received funding from a trustfund. The trust, as Catrin Wigfall explains, is funded by revenue from mining and timber production on lands federally granted to the state in 1858.
"Under the Minnesota Constitution, the revenue is deposited into the Permanent School Fund (PSF), a constitutional trust that provides annual support for K-12 public education. As of March 2025, the fund is valued at $2.3 billion."
"Schools receive distributions from the fund's investment income (mainly interest and dividends). Annual distributions have generally been around 2 to 2.5 percent of the fund's value. The principal itself can't be spent, as the Minnesota Constitution requires it remain "perpetual and inviolate forever." If the fund experiences realized investment losses, those losses are recovered over time through a statutory smoothing process that can affect future income available for distribution. This is one reason payments can fluctuate from year to year.
"For FY 2025, the interest and dividends produced a record $58 million for the state's 329 public school districts and 181 charter schools, or about 0.4 percent of E-12 education's biennial budget. Statewide, that averaged out to about $68 per student. Anoka-Hennepin, the largest district, collected $2.6 million. Minneapolis got $2 million."
If the constitutional amendment passes, annual distributions will rise to 4.5 percent of the fund's market valuation.
So far, discussions around the amendment have largely ignored the state's deteriorating fiscal outlook. This is likely because, as currently structured, the trust is entirely separate from the general fund and operates as "extra" funding for public schools.
Minnesota's general fund budget, however, has operated on a structural deficit each year since 2024. E-12 education and Health and Human Services (HHS) are the state's two largest expenditures -- taking up over 70 percent of the budget -- and the two areas likely to deliver the necessary savings to close the deficit.
The Permanent School Fund could serve as a buffer for general fund spending cuts in E-12 Education in 2027. But this will require that the trust remains solvent long-term -- a difficult task to accomplish if the constitutional amendment passes.
For one, raising the annual distribution to 4.5 percent of the fund's valuation could eat into the principal, draining the trust over time. More immediately, it means no reserve option just as lawmakers head into what will likely be a brutal 2027 budget session.
Worst of all, the allure of "extra" funds might stall necessary spending reforms required to achieve long-term fiscal stability for both schools and the state.
* * *
Martha Njolomole is an Economist at Center of the American Experiment.
martha.njolomole@americanexperiment.org
* * *
Original text here: https://www.americanexperiment.org/why-a-school-funding-ammendment-could-put-legislators-in-a-budget-bind/
[Category: ThinkTank]
Center of the American Experiment Issues Commentary: Rejecting Retreat as a Public Safety Strategy
MINNETONKA, Minnesota, Oct. 15 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary:
* * *
Rejecting retreat as a public safety strategy
Written by David Zimmer | October 13, 2026
For years many conservatives have taken the position that our larger cities, such as Minneapolis, are "lost causes" and that the residents deserve to "reap what they have sown."
While taking that position is tempting at times, conservatives must recognize that giving up the fight and retreating from cities like ... Show Full Article MINNETONKA, Minnesota, Oct. 15 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary: * * * Rejecting retreat as a public safety strategy Written by David Zimmer | October 13, 2026 For years many conservatives have taken the position that our larger cities, such as Minneapolis, are "lost causes" and that the residents deserve to "reap what they have sown." While taking that position is tempting at times, conservatives must recognize that giving up the fight and retreating from cities likeMinneapolis doesn't contain the dysfunction, it hastens it's spread. Conservatives must ask themselves how far they plan to retreat and whether anything will be left when they finally stand their ground?
If the developments of the past several years didn't convince conservatives that retreating was a flawed strategy, the developments of the past several weeks sure should have.
For years we have watched our first ring suburbs move from red to purple to blue. The same conservative retreat that hastened the downfall in Minneapolis has impacted many of those areas as well. Now, coming off multiple shootings in Edina, Bloomington and Eden Prairie involving Somali youth, people are waking up to the reality of their peace and security being threatened in second and third ring suburbs.
While it's too early to be certain, the frustrations voiced by many residents at recent community meetings point to two encouraging developments: 1) Conservative suburbanites have been hit between the eyes with the reality that crime and violence are no longer confined to Minneapolis, and 2) Conservatives appear to be abandoning the tactic of retreat in favor of standing ground as they identify and reject the social justice approach that has enabled violent crime to reach their streets, parks, and schools.
In response, law enforcement and political leadership have been united in a strong front committed to ensuring the violence ends. And after four years of experiencing a soft on crime county attorney in Hennepin County, even the center-left can see the mistake that was made there - a mistake that cannot be allowed to happen again.
Conservatives appear to be taking a stand and demanding the rejection of the soft on crime strategies that have hastened the spread of violence throughout the Twin Cities. We must not be satisfied with simply stopping the public safety pendulum's swing to the left. Rather we must stay in the fight to ensure it swings back solidly in the direction of law and order - and we need not apologize for doing so.
* * *
David Zimmer is a Public Safety Policy Fellow at Center of the American Experiment.
David.Zimmer@americanexperiment.org
* * *
Original text here: https://www.americanexperiment.org/rejecting-retreat-as-a-public-safety-strategy/
[Category: ThinkTank]
* * *
Rejecting retreat as a public safety strategy
Written by David Zimmer | October 13, 2026
For years many conservatives have taken the position that our larger cities, such as Minneapolis, are "lost causes" and that the residents deserve to "reap what they have sown."
While taking that position is tempting at times, conservatives must recognize that giving up the fight and retreating from cities like ... Show Full Article MINNETONKA, Minnesota, Oct. 15 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary: * * * Rejecting retreat as a public safety strategy Written by David Zimmer | October 13, 2026 For years many conservatives have taken the position that our larger cities, such as Minneapolis, are "lost causes" and that the residents deserve to "reap what they have sown." While taking that position is tempting at times, conservatives must recognize that giving up the fight and retreating from cities likeMinneapolis doesn't contain the dysfunction, it hastens it's spread. Conservatives must ask themselves how far they plan to retreat and whether anything will be left when they finally stand their ground?
If the developments of the past several years didn't convince conservatives that retreating was a flawed strategy, the developments of the past several weeks sure should have.
For years we have watched our first ring suburbs move from red to purple to blue. The same conservative retreat that hastened the downfall in Minneapolis has impacted many of those areas as well. Now, coming off multiple shootings in Edina, Bloomington and Eden Prairie involving Somali youth, people are waking up to the reality of their peace and security being threatened in second and third ring suburbs.
While it's too early to be certain, the frustrations voiced by many residents at recent community meetings point to two encouraging developments: 1) Conservative suburbanites have been hit between the eyes with the reality that crime and violence are no longer confined to Minneapolis, and 2) Conservatives appear to be abandoning the tactic of retreat in favor of standing ground as they identify and reject the social justice approach that has enabled violent crime to reach their streets, parks, and schools.
In response, law enforcement and political leadership have been united in a strong front committed to ensuring the violence ends. And after four years of experiencing a soft on crime county attorney in Hennepin County, even the center-left can see the mistake that was made there - a mistake that cannot be allowed to happen again.
Conservatives appear to be taking a stand and demanding the rejection of the soft on crime strategies that have hastened the spread of violence throughout the Twin Cities. We must not be satisfied with simply stopping the public safety pendulum's swing to the left. Rather we must stay in the fight to ensure it swings back solidly in the direction of law and order - and we need not apologize for doing so.
* * *
David Zimmer is a Public Safety Policy Fellow at Center of the American Experiment.
David.Zimmer@americanexperiment.org
* * *
Original text here: https://www.americanexperiment.org/rejecting-retreat-as-a-public-safety-strategy/
[Category: ThinkTank]
Center for American Progress: Trump Would Have No Legal Grounds To Deploy Armed Federal Forces at Polling Sites
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (TNSbrep) -- The Center for American Progress issued the following news release:
* * *
Oct 14, 2026
Trump Would Have No Legal Grounds To Deploy Armed Federal Forces at Polling Sites
Washington, D.C. -- There are growing concerns that President Donald Trump might deploy armed federal forces to polling sites in a ploy to intimidate voters or limit access during the upcoming midterm election.
A new analysis from the Center for American Progress examines long-standing federal law that expressly prohibits the deployment armed federal forces to the polls unless there is a need ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (TNSbrep) -- The Center for American Progress issued the following news release: * * * Oct 14, 2026 Trump Would Have No Legal Grounds To Deploy Armed Federal Forces at Polling Sites Washington, D.C. -- There are growing concerns that President Donald Trump might deploy armed federal forces to polling sites in a ploy to intimidate voters or limit access during the upcoming midterm election. A new analysis from the Center for American Progress examines long-standing federal law that expressly prohibits the deployment armed federal forces to the polls unless there is a needto "repel armed enemies of the United States."
No president in history has ever invoked this exception. But CAP's analysis considers some of the ways President Trump might try to get around the law and explains how they are all legally dubious.
The administration could try, for example, to claim that "armed enemies" include immigrants, gang members, or so-called antifa members that are physically threatening polling places. But courts considering similar language under other statutes have ruled that an "invasion" must be considered only in a military sense of the term, and that state law enforcement remains capable of protecting election sites.
The president might also claim that polling sites are under cyberattack by a foreign government, perhaps Iran, with whom the United States is in an armed conflict. The template for this type of attempt already exists in the form of a draft executive order considered during the first Trump administration. But CAP's analysis shows how courts would almost certainly reject such a contrived pretext that distorts the specific language and intent of the law.
Read the analysis: "Presidents Cannot Distort Laws To Justify Deploying Federal Forces To "Repel Armed Enemies" in Elections" (https://www.americanprogress.org/article/presidents-cannot-distort-laws-to-justify-deploying-federal-forces-to-repel-armed-enemies-in-elections) by Michael Sozan and Emma Hulbert
For more information, or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at shananel@americanprogress.org.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.americanprogress.org/press/release-trump-would-have-no-legal-grounds-to-deploy-armed-federal-forces-at-polling-sites/
[Category: ThinkTank]
* * *
Oct 14, 2026
Trump Would Have No Legal Grounds To Deploy Armed Federal Forces at Polling Sites
Washington, D.C. -- There are growing concerns that President Donald Trump might deploy armed federal forces to polling sites in a ploy to intimidate voters or limit access during the upcoming midterm election.
A new analysis from the Center for American Progress examines long-standing federal law that expressly prohibits the deployment armed federal forces to the polls unless there is a need ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (TNSbrep) -- The Center for American Progress issued the following news release: * * * Oct 14, 2026 Trump Would Have No Legal Grounds To Deploy Armed Federal Forces at Polling Sites Washington, D.C. -- There are growing concerns that President Donald Trump might deploy armed federal forces to polling sites in a ploy to intimidate voters or limit access during the upcoming midterm election. A new analysis from the Center for American Progress examines long-standing federal law that expressly prohibits the deployment armed federal forces to the polls unless there is a needto "repel armed enemies of the United States."
No president in history has ever invoked this exception. But CAP's analysis considers some of the ways President Trump might try to get around the law and explains how they are all legally dubious.
The administration could try, for example, to claim that "armed enemies" include immigrants, gang members, or so-called antifa members that are physically threatening polling places. But courts considering similar language under other statutes have ruled that an "invasion" must be considered only in a military sense of the term, and that state law enforcement remains capable of protecting election sites.
The president might also claim that polling sites are under cyberattack by a foreign government, perhaps Iran, with whom the United States is in an armed conflict. The template for this type of attempt already exists in the form of a draft executive order considered during the first Trump administration. But CAP's analysis shows how courts would almost certainly reject such a contrived pretext that distorts the specific language and intent of the law.
Read the analysis: "Presidents Cannot Distort Laws To Justify Deploying Federal Forces To "Repel Armed Enemies" in Elections" (https://www.americanprogress.org/article/presidents-cannot-distort-laws-to-justify-deploying-federal-forces-to-repel-armed-enemies-in-elections) by Michael Sozan and Emma Hulbert
For more information, or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at shananel@americanprogress.org.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.americanprogress.org/press/release-trump-would-have-no-legal-grounds-to-deploy-armed-federal-forces-at-polling-sites/
[Category: ThinkTank]
CSIS Issues States Weekly News Wrap Up on Oct. 14, 2026
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The Center for Strategic and International Studies issued the following States Weekly - October 14, 2026, news wrap up:
* * *
Big News: Uttar Pradesh approves the Uttar Pradesh Sustainable Aviation Fuel Manufacturing Promotion Policy 2026; Gujarat announces implementation of the Gujarat Electricity Grid Code 2026; Jammu and Kashmir announces a City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy 2026; Andhra Pradesh approves the Andhra Pradesh Policy for Promotion of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions 2026; Maharashtra orders a minimum 10 percent water cut across all urban local bodies ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The Center for Strategic and International Studies issued the following States Weekly - October 14, 2026, news wrap up: * * * Big News: Uttar Pradesh approves the Uttar Pradesh Sustainable Aviation Fuel Manufacturing Promotion Policy 2026; Gujarat announces implementation of the Gujarat Electricity Grid Code 2026; Jammu and Kashmir announces a City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy 2026; Andhra Pradesh approves the Andhra Pradesh Policy for Promotion of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions 2026; Maharashtra orders a minimum 10 percent water cut across all urban local bodiesfrom October 16, 2026; and more.
Health
Delhi announces an increase in incentives for Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers. ASHA workers will now be entitled to incentives of USD 62 (INR 6000) a month.
Source: Hindustan Times (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-govt-doubles-incentives-of-asha-workers-launches-nursing-home-portal-101791309080320.html)
* * *
Karnataka mandates hospitals to display the purchase and selling prices of medicines from November 1, 2026. The measure aims to ensure transparency in billing and prevent patients from being overcharged.
Source: Deccan Herald (https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/karnataka-hospitals-labs-to-display-medicine-purchase-and-selling-prices-from-november-1-4177812)
* * *
Punjab approves amendments to the Punjab Nursing Education Service Rules, 2016. The new rules clarify procedures regarding promotions and other service-related matters.
Source: Babushahi (https://www.babushahi.com/view-news.php?id=227789&headline=Punjab-Cabinet-takes-major-decisions:-Nod-to-Amendments-in-Nursing-Rules,-New-Posts-for-Election-Commission)
* * *
Climate Change and Energy
Gujarat announces implementation of the Gujarat Electricity Grid Code 2026. Introduced by the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC), the Code introduces a comprehensive framework for the operation, planning, scheduling and development of Gujarat's intra-state power.
Source: Solar Quarter (https://solarquarter.com/2026/10/08/gujarat-notifies-2026-grid-code-to-strengthen-power-system-operations-and-renewable-energy-integration/)
In detail: Gujarat Electricity Grid Code, 2026 (https://www.gercin.org/viewdocument/TmV3TmV3c18xMjdfMTc5MTM4Njc2NQ==)
* * *
Telangana announces recovery of $561 million (INR 5,420 crore) under true-up charges. Approved by the Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission (TGERC), the recovery will begin with electricity bills issued in November 2026.
Source: Hydrebad Mail (https://hyderabadmail.com/telangana-electricity-bills-true-up-charges-5420-crore/)
In detail: TGERC Order (https://www.tgerc.telangana.gov.in/file_upload/uploads/Orders/Commission%20Orders/2026/Trueup%20order%20for%20FY%202022-23%20and%20FY2023-24.pdf)
* * *
Jammu and Kashmir announces a City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy 2026. The policy aims for a phased expansion of cleaner natural gas infrastructure across the Union Territory.
Source: New Indian Express (https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Oct/08/jk-govt-notifies-city-gas-distribution-policy-plans-png-cng-expansion-across-all-20-districts#goog_rewarded)
* * *
Maharashtra directs ride-share apps to switch to electric by July 2027. The directive outlines a nine-month phased transition window aimed at eliminating petrol-powered motorcycles from app-based ride-hailing platforms across the state.
Source: EV India (https://evindia.online/news/maharashtra-bike-taxi-100-percent-electric-ev-mandate-july-2027)
* * *
Finance
Nothing critical to report this week.
Industrial Policy and Business Regulations
Uttar Pradesh approves the Uttar Pradesh Sustainable Aviation Fuel Manufacturing Promotion Policy 2026. The policy aims to promote decarbonization in the aviation sector, strengthen energy security, encourage private investment and innovation, and create new green employment opportunities in the state.
Source: Times of India (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/sustainable-aviation-fuel-policy-approved/articleshow/134842152.cms)
In detail: Cabinet Decisions (https://information.up.gov.in/admin/UploadDocument/OtherPress/compressed_dbf1be66-c31c-4fd1-af0a-4eb7b26aaf4d.pdf)
* * *
Uttar Pradesh approves an Uttar Pradesh Artificial Intelligence Mission (UP-AIM). The Mission aims to support at least 100 AI startups, train 500,000 AI-skilled youth and develop artificial intelligence applications for governance and public services.
Source: Economic Times (https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/amp/news/digital-india/up-cabinet-clears-ai-mission-targets-100-startups-and-skilling-of-5-lakh-youth/134847228)
In detail: Cabinet Decisions (https://information.up.gov.in/admin/UploadDocument/OtherPress/compressed_dbf1be66-c31c-4fd1-af0a-4eb7b26aaf4d.pdf)
* * *
Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations
Bihar establishes "Labor Service Facilitation Centers" in three districts in Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Coimbatore, and Tirupur. The Centers aim to address grievances, welfare, and workers' rights.
Source: Times of India (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/bihar-govt-to-set-up-grievance-cell-for-guest-workers-in-tn/articleshow/134781587.cms)
Infrastructure and Governance (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/bihar-govt-to-set-up-grievance-cell-for-guest-workers-in-tn/articleshow/134781587.cms)
Andhra Pradesh approves the Andhra Pradesh Policy for Promotion of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions 2026. The policy specifies eligibility criteria, incentives and government support for foreign higher educational institutions and Indian private universities seeking to establish campuses in the state.
Source: Times of India (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/andhra-pradesh-cabinet-clears-foreign-universities-policy-eases-rules-for-establishing-private-schools/articleshow/134773097.cms)
In detail: Policy (https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:c2f671b1-5372-4e18-b0ad-fe3e842ecfc5)
* * *
Uttar Pradesh announces the continuation of a scheme to provide two free LPG cylinders in a year. Beneficiaries of the 'Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana' (the Prime Minister's Bright/Lightening Scheme) will receive one free LPG cylinder refill each on Diwali and Holi.
Source: DD News (https://ddnews.gov.in/en/free-lpg-cylinders-ac-electric-buses-up-cabinet-approves-more-than-30-proposals/)
In detail: Cabinet Decisions (https://information.up.gov.in/admin/UploadDocument/OtherPress/compressed_dbf1be66-c31c-4fd1-af0a-4eb7b26aaf4d.pdf)
* * *
Uttar Pradesh passes a proposal to rename Noida International Airport in Jewar as the Narendra Modi International Airport.
Source: DD News (https://ddnews.gov.in/en/free-lpg-cylinders-ac-electric-buses-up-cabinet-approves-more-than-30-proposals/)
In detail: Cabinet Decisions (https://information.up.gov.in/admin/UploadDocument/OtherPress/compressed_dbf1be66-c31c-4fd1-af0a-4eb7b26aaf4d.pdf)
* * *
West Bengal approves the 'Bhagini Nivedita Scheme' (Sister Nivedita Scheme). The scheme will provide $518 (INR 50,000) in financial assistance to unmarried women pursuing higher education.
Source: Times of India (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/west-bengal-approves-14454-government-jobs-50000-aid-scheme-for-women-pursuing-higher-education/articleshow/134757252.cms)
* * *
Himachal Pradesh approves an increase in the monthly honorarium of Anganwadi workers and helpers.
Source: The News Himachal (https://thenewshimachal.com/2026/10/himachal-cabinet-approves-4090-jal-shakti-para-worker-engagements-500-staff-nurse-posts/)
In detail: Press Release (http://himachalpr.gov.in/OnePressRelease.aspx?Language=1&ID=49866)
* * *
Water and Sanitation
Maharashtra orders a minimum 10 percent water cut across all urban local bodies from October 16, 2026. The decision was taken citing reduced rainfall and limited water availability amid the impact of El Nino. Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) have been asked to operate at full capacity, with treated wastewater being used for gardens, construction, and washing purposes.
Source: Hindustan Times (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharashtra-govt-devendra-fadnavis-orders-10-percent-water-cut-from-october-16-amid-el-ni-o-concerns-urban-local-bodies-cities-mumbai-nagpur-pune-101791197416869.html)
In detail: Order (https://gr.maharashtra.gov.in/Site/Upload/Government%20Resolutions/English/202610051722231627.pdf)
* * *
Center - State Relations
Nothing critical to report this week.
Any Other
Tripura announces free distribution of essential food items to nearly 992,000 ration card holders. The decision was taken to commemorate the Durga Puja festival.
Source: Hindustan Times (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/news/tripura-cabinet-approves-free-puja-rations-1-274-teacher-posts-staff-selection-commission-101791431402399.html)
* * *
Original text here: https://www.csis.org/analysis/states-weekly-october-14-2026
[Category: ThinkTank]
* * *
Big News: Uttar Pradesh approves the Uttar Pradesh Sustainable Aviation Fuel Manufacturing Promotion Policy 2026; Gujarat announces implementation of the Gujarat Electricity Grid Code 2026; Jammu and Kashmir announces a City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy 2026; Andhra Pradesh approves the Andhra Pradesh Policy for Promotion of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions 2026; Maharashtra orders a minimum 10 percent water cut across all urban local bodies ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The Center for Strategic and International Studies issued the following States Weekly - October 14, 2026, news wrap up: * * * Big News: Uttar Pradesh approves the Uttar Pradesh Sustainable Aviation Fuel Manufacturing Promotion Policy 2026; Gujarat announces implementation of the Gujarat Electricity Grid Code 2026; Jammu and Kashmir announces a City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy 2026; Andhra Pradesh approves the Andhra Pradesh Policy for Promotion of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions 2026; Maharashtra orders a minimum 10 percent water cut across all urban local bodiesfrom October 16, 2026; and more.
Health
Delhi announces an increase in incentives for Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers. ASHA workers will now be entitled to incentives of USD 62 (INR 6000) a month.
Source: Hindustan Times (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-govt-doubles-incentives-of-asha-workers-launches-nursing-home-portal-101791309080320.html)
* * *
Karnataka mandates hospitals to display the purchase and selling prices of medicines from November 1, 2026. The measure aims to ensure transparency in billing and prevent patients from being overcharged.
Source: Deccan Herald (https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/karnataka-hospitals-labs-to-display-medicine-purchase-and-selling-prices-from-november-1-4177812)
* * *
Punjab approves amendments to the Punjab Nursing Education Service Rules, 2016. The new rules clarify procedures regarding promotions and other service-related matters.
Source: Babushahi (https://www.babushahi.com/view-news.php?id=227789&headline=Punjab-Cabinet-takes-major-decisions:-Nod-to-Amendments-in-Nursing-Rules,-New-Posts-for-Election-Commission)
* * *
Climate Change and Energy
Gujarat announces implementation of the Gujarat Electricity Grid Code 2026. Introduced by the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC), the Code introduces a comprehensive framework for the operation, planning, scheduling and development of Gujarat's intra-state power.
Source: Solar Quarter (https://solarquarter.com/2026/10/08/gujarat-notifies-2026-grid-code-to-strengthen-power-system-operations-and-renewable-energy-integration/)
In detail: Gujarat Electricity Grid Code, 2026 (https://www.gercin.org/viewdocument/TmV3TmV3c18xMjdfMTc5MTM4Njc2NQ==)
* * *
Telangana announces recovery of $561 million (INR 5,420 crore) under true-up charges. Approved by the Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission (TGERC), the recovery will begin with electricity bills issued in November 2026.
Source: Hydrebad Mail (https://hyderabadmail.com/telangana-electricity-bills-true-up-charges-5420-crore/)
In detail: TGERC Order (https://www.tgerc.telangana.gov.in/file_upload/uploads/Orders/Commission%20Orders/2026/Trueup%20order%20for%20FY%202022-23%20and%20FY2023-24.pdf)
* * *
Jammu and Kashmir announces a City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy 2026. The policy aims for a phased expansion of cleaner natural gas infrastructure across the Union Territory.
Source: New Indian Express (https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Oct/08/jk-govt-notifies-city-gas-distribution-policy-plans-png-cng-expansion-across-all-20-districts#goog_rewarded)
* * *
Maharashtra directs ride-share apps to switch to electric by July 2027. The directive outlines a nine-month phased transition window aimed at eliminating petrol-powered motorcycles from app-based ride-hailing platforms across the state.
Source: EV India (https://evindia.online/news/maharashtra-bike-taxi-100-percent-electric-ev-mandate-july-2027)
* * *
Finance
Nothing critical to report this week.
Industrial Policy and Business Regulations
Uttar Pradesh approves the Uttar Pradesh Sustainable Aviation Fuel Manufacturing Promotion Policy 2026. The policy aims to promote decarbonization in the aviation sector, strengthen energy security, encourage private investment and innovation, and create new green employment opportunities in the state.
Source: Times of India (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/sustainable-aviation-fuel-policy-approved/articleshow/134842152.cms)
In detail: Cabinet Decisions (https://information.up.gov.in/admin/UploadDocument/OtherPress/compressed_dbf1be66-c31c-4fd1-af0a-4eb7b26aaf4d.pdf)
* * *
Uttar Pradesh approves an Uttar Pradesh Artificial Intelligence Mission (UP-AIM). The Mission aims to support at least 100 AI startups, train 500,000 AI-skilled youth and develop artificial intelligence applications for governance and public services.
Source: Economic Times (https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/amp/news/digital-india/up-cabinet-clears-ai-mission-targets-100-startups-and-skilling-of-5-lakh-youth/134847228)
In detail: Cabinet Decisions (https://information.up.gov.in/admin/UploadDocument/OtherPress/compressed_dbf1be66-c31c-4fd1-af0a-4eb7b26aaf4d.pdf)
* * *
Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations
Bihar establishes "Labor Service Facilitation Centers" in three districts in Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Coimbatore, and Tirupur. The Centers aim to address grievances, welfare, and workers' rights.
Source: Times of India (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/bihar-govt-to-set-up-grievance-cell-for-guest-workers-in-tn/articleshow/134781587.cms)
Infrastructure and Governance (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/bihar-govt-to-set-up-grievance-cell-for-guest-workers-in-tn/articleshow/134781587.cms)
Andhra Pradesh approves the Andhra Pradesh Policy for Promotion of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions 2026. The policy specifies eligibility criteria, incentives and government support for foreign higher educational institutions and Indian private universities seeking to establish campuses in the state.
Source: Times of India (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/andhra-pradesh-cabinet-clears-foreign-universities-policy-eases-rules-for-establishing-private-schools/articleshow/134773097.cms)
In detail: Policy (https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:c2f671b1-5372-4e18-b0ad-fe3e842ecfc5)
* * *
Uttar Pradesh announces the continuation of a scheme to provide two free LPG cylinders in a year. Beneficiaries of the 'Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana' (the Prime Minister's Bright/Lightening Scheme) will receive one free LPG cylinder refill each on Diwali and Holi.
Source: DD News (https://ddnews.gov.in/en/free-lpg-cylinders-ac-electric-buses-up-cabinet-approves-more-than-30-proposals/)
In detail: Cabinet Decisions (https://information.up.gov.in/admin/UploadDocument/OtherPress/compressed_dbf1be66-c31c-4fd1-af0a-4eb7b26aaf4d.pdf)
* * *
Uttar Pradesh passes a proposal to rename Noida International Airport in Jewar as the Narendra Modi International Airport.
Source: DD News (https://ddnews.gov.in/en/free-lpg-cylinders-ac-electric-buses-up-cabinet-approves-more-than-30-proposals/)
In detail: Cabinet Decisions (https://information.up.gov.in/admin/UploadDocument/OtherPress/compressed_dbf1be66-c31c-4fd1-af0a-4eb7b26aaf4d.pdf)
* * *
West Bengal approves the 'Bhagini Nivedita Scheme' (Sister Nivedita Scheme). The scheme will provide $518 (INR 50,000) in financial assistance to unmarried women pursuing higher education.
Source: Times of India (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/west-bengal-approves-14454-government-jobs-50000-aid-scheme-for-women-pursuing-higher-education/articleshow/134757252.cms)
* * *
Himachal Pradesh approves an increase in the monthly honorarium of Anganwadi workers and helpers.
Source: The News Himachal (https://thenewshimachal.com/2026/10/himachal-cabinet-approves-4090-jal-shakti-para-worker-engagements-500-staff-nurse-posts/)
In detail: Press Release (http://himachalpr.gov.in/OnePressRelease.aspx?Language=1&ID=49866)
* * *
Water and Sanitation
Maharashtra orders a minimum 10 percent water cut across all urban local bodies from October 16, 2026. The decision was taken citing reduced rainfall and limited water availability amid the impact of El Nino. Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) have been asked to operate at full capacity, with treated wastewater being used for gardens, construction, and washing purposes.
Source: Hindustan Times (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharashtra-govt-devendra-fadnavis-orders-10-percent-water-cut-from-october-16-amid-el-ni-o-concerns-urban-local-bodies-cities-mumbai-nagpur-pune-101791197416869.html)
In detail: Order (https://gr.maharashtra.gov.in/Site/Upload/Government%20Resolutions/English/202610051722231627.pdf)
* * *
Center - State Relations
Nothing critical to report this week.
Any Other
Tripura announces free distribution of essential food items to nearly 992,000 ration card holders. The decision was taken to commemorate the Durga Puja festival.
Source: Hindustan Times (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/news/tripura-cabinet-approves-free-puja-rations-1-274-teacher-posts-staff-selection-commission-101791431402399.html)
* * *
Original text here: https://www.csis.org/analysis/states-weekly-october-14-2026
[Category: ThinkTank]
American Action Forum Issues Insight: SSA Announces 3.6% Social Security COLA for 2027
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The American Action Forum issued the following insight:
* * *
October 14, 2026
SSA Announces 3.6-percent Social Security COLA for 2027
Jordan Haring
Executive Summary
* The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced today that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits in 2027 will be 3.6 percent.
* The 2027 COLA was calculated using a formula that measures the percent change from the third quarter of 2025 to the third quarter of 2026 in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, or the CPI-W, a narrow price index.
* ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The American Action Forum issued the following insight: * * * October 14, 2026 SSA Announces 3.6-percent Social Security COLA for 2027 Jordan Haring Executive Summary * The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced today that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits in 2027 will be 3.6 percent. * The 2027 COLA was calculated using a formula that measures the percent change from the third quarter of 2025 to the third quarter of 2026 in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, or the CPI-W, a narrow price index. *The method for calculating the COLA is outdated and would likely change in any meaningful Social Security reform.
-
Introduction
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits in 2027 will be 3.6 percent. As a result, average benefits for the nearly 72 million Americans on Social Security will increase by $75 per month ($900 per year), which could give a slight boost to economic activity.
The 2026 COLA is 0.8-percentage points above the 2026 COLA of 2.8 percent and 0.2-percentage points above the 3.4-percent average COLA over the past decade. In addition, SSA announced the Social Security taxable maximum will increase by $7,800 (4 percent), from $184,500 in 2026 to $192,300 in 2027.
Historical Context
In July of 1972, President Nixon signed into law H.R. 15390, which increased the statutory debt limit and reformed Social Security's Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance programs. Among the changes was a new mechanism for automatically adjusting benefits to account for increases in the cost of living over time. These annual COLAs took effect in 1975 and have remained largely unchanged in their calculation since.
Since 1975, the COLA has averaged 3.7 percent. It peaked at 14.3 percent in 1980 and 11.2 percent in 1981 when the U.S. economy was in a recession. Social Security beneficiaries received a 0-percent COLA in 2010, 2011, and 2016, when inflation did not rise enough to trigger a benefit adjustment.
Over the past decade, the COLA has averaged 3.4 percent. Beneficiaries received a 0.3-percent COLA in 2017, which was the lowest non-zero increase since automatic COLAs began. Beneficiaries received a staggering 8.7 percent COLA in 2023 following a period of high inflation. The 3.6-percent 2027 COLA is 0.8-percentage points above the 2025 COLA of 2.8 percent and 0.2-percentage points above the average COLA over the past decade.
* * *
Chart: Social Security's Annual COLA, 2018-2027
* * *
How COLAs Are Calculated
The policy rationale for COLAs is the preservation of the real value of Social Security recipients' benefits. To measure price changes, SSA relies on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, or the CPI-W. For a time, the CPI-W was the only price index the Bureau of Labor Statistics produced. Over time, however, federal statistical agencies have improved their data collection and developed more comprehensive price indices. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) covers over 90 percent of the U.S. population and is generally the most widely cited measure of inflation. The CPI-W only covers about 30 percent of the population, making it a narrower price index. The CPI-W also tends to rise more rapidly than the more representative CPI-U.
Social Security's 3.6-percent 2027 COLA will become effective for December benefits, payable in January of 2027. The applicable COLA for these benefits is equal to the percentage increase in the CPI-W from the average for the third quarter of the current year (2026) to the average for the third quarter of the last year (2025) in which a COLA became effective.
As the formula specifies, these COLAs move in only one direction. In the event of deflation, benefits are not reduced. In October, BLS releases CPI data, including that for the CPI-W, for September, the final month of the third quarter and thus the last input for calculating COLAs. The COLA that will apply to benefits payable in January of 2027 has thus been calculated:
[View table in the link at bottom.]
An Opportunity for Reform
There is consensus that the CPI-W generally overstates inflation because it only looks at price changes for a small sample of goods and does not account for how consumers substitute based on relative prices - a phenomenon known as substitution bias. That is, the CPI-W fails to account for the effects of how, for example, an increase in the price of apples may cause consumers to purchase oranges instead.
A possible reform is to switch to the Chained Consumer Price Index (Chained CPI) for Social Security's COLA. The Chained CPI is considered a better and more accurate measure of inflation than the CPI-U or the CPI-W, not just for the Social Security COLA but for all federal programs and tax provisions that are indexed to inflation. The Chained CPI more accurately measures changes in the cost of living than the CPI-U and CPI-W because it accounts for consumers substituting relatively cheaper goods and services for those whose prices rise faster. The Chained CPI grows an average of 0.25-percentage points more slowly per year.
SSA estimates that if the COLA was calculated using the Chained CPI instead of the CPI-W starting with the 2027 COLA, Social Security's 75-year actuarial imbalance would fall from 4.42 percent of taxable payroll to 3.78 percent of payroll. That is, such a reform would close 14 percent of Social Security's 75-year shortfall, though the projected insolvency date of the theoretically combined Social Security trust funds (Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance) would remain in 2034.
Conclusion
Every year, SSA calculates an automatic adjustment in Social Security benefits to reflect changes in the cost of living, allowing beneficiaries to maintain the purchasing power of their benefits. The 3.6-percent 2027 COLA was calculated using the CPI-W, a narrow price index that tends to overstate inflation. While this approach roughly preserves recipients' real benefits, it is nevertheless a somewhat outdated index. Reforms to the calculation of the COLA, such as a switch to the Chained CPI, will likely be included in any meaningful Social Security reform effort.
* * *
Jordan Haring is the Director of Fiscal Policy at the American Action Forum
* * *
Original text here: https://www.americanactionforum.org/insight/ssa-announces-3-6-percent-social-security-cola-for-2027/
[Category: Think Tank]
* * *
October 14, 2026
SSA Announces 3.6-percent Social Security COLA for 2027
Jordan Haring
Executive Summary
* The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced today that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits in 2027 will be 3.6 percent.
* The 2027 COLA was calculated using a formula that measures the percent change from the third quarter of 2025 to the third quarter of 2026 in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, or the CPI-W, a narrow price index.
* ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The American Action Forum issued the following insight: * * * October 14, 2026 SSA Announces 3.6-percent Social Security COLA for 2027 Jordan Haring Executive Summary * The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced today that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits in 2027 will be 3.6 percent. * The 2027 COLA was calculated using a formula that measures the percent change from the third quarter of 2025 to the third quarter of 2026 in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, or the CPI-W, a narrow price index. *The method for calculating the COLA is outdated and would likely change in any meaningful Social Security reform.
-
Introduction
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits in 2027 will be 3.6 percent. As a result, average benefits for the nearly 72 million Americans on Social Security will increase by $75 per month ($900 per year), which could give a slight boost to economic activity.
The 2026 COLA is 0.8-percentage points above the 2026 COLA of 2.8 percent and 0.2-percentage points above the 3.4-percent average COLA over the past decade. In addition, SSA announced the Social Security taxable maximum will increase by $7,800 (4 percent), from $184,500 in 2026 to $192,300 in 2027.
Historical Context
In July of 1972, President Nixon signed into law H.R. 15390, which increased the statutory debt limit and reformed Social Security's Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance programs. Among the changes was a new mechanism for automatically adjusting benefits to account for increases in the cost of living over time. These annual COLAs took effect in 1975 and have remained largely unchanged in their calculation since.
Since 1975, the COLA has averaged 3.7 percent. It peaked at 14.3 percent in 1980 and 11.2 percent in 1981 when the U.S. economy was in a recession. Social Security beneficiaries received a 0-percent COLA in 2010, 2011, and 2016, when inflation did not rise enough to trigger a benefit adjustment.
Over the past decade, the COLA has averaged 3.4 percent. Beneficiaries received a 0.3-percent COLA in 2017, which was the lowest non-zero increase since automatic COLAs began. Beneficiaries received a staggering 8.7 percent COLA in 2023 following a period of high inflation. The 3.6-percent 2027 COLA is 0.8-percentage points above the 2025 COLA of 2.8 percent and 0.2-percentage points above the average COLA over the past decade.
* * *
Chart: Social Security's Annual COLA, 2018-2027
* * *
How COLAs Are Calculated
The policy rationale for COLAs is the preservation of the real value of Social Security recipients' benefits. To measure price changes, SSA relies on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, or the CPI-W. For a time, the CPI-W was the only price index the Bureau of Labor Statistics produced. Over time, however, federal statistical agencies have improved their data collection and developed more comprehensive price indices. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) covers over 90 percent of the U.S. population and is generally the most widely cited measure of inflation. The CPI-W only covers about 30 percent of the population, making it a narrower price index. The CPI-W also tends to rise more rapidly than the more representative CPI-U.
Social Security's 3.6-percent 2027 COLA will become effective for December benefits, payable in January of 2027. The applicable COLA for these benefits is equal to the percentage increase in the CPI-W from the average for the third quarter of the current year (2026) to the average for the third quarter of the last year (2025) in which a COLA became effective.
As the formula specifies, these COLAs move in only one direction. In the event of deflation, benefits are not reduced. In October, BLS releases CPI data, including that for the CPI-W, for September, the final month of the third quarter and thus the last input for calculating COLAs. The COLA that will apply to benefits payable in January of 2027 has thus been calculated:
[View table in the link at bottom.]
An Opportunity for Reform
There is consensus that the CPI-W generally overstates inflation because it only looks at price changes for a small sample of goods and does not account for how consumers substitute based on relative prices - a phenomenon known as substitution bias. That is, the CPI-W fails to account for the effects of how, for example, an increase in the price of apples may cause consumers to purchase oranges instead.
A possible reform is to switch to the Chained Consumer Price Index (Chained CPI) for Social Security's COLA. The Chained CPI is considered a better and more accurate measure of inflation than the CPI-U or the CPI-W, not just for the Social Security COLA but for all federal programs and tax provisions that are indexed to inflation. The Chained CPI more accurately measures changes in the cost of living than the CPI-U and CPI-W because it accounts for consumers substituting relatively cheaper goods and services for those whose prices rise faster. The Chained CPI grows an average of 0.25-percentage points more slowly per year.
SSA estimates that if the COLA was calculated using the Chained CPI instead of the CPI-W starting with the 2027 COLA, Social Security's 75-year actuarial imbalance would fall from 4.42 percent of taxable payroll to 3.78 percent of payroll. That is, such a reform would close 14 percent of Social Security's 75-year shortfall, though the projected insolvency date of the theoretically combined Social Security trust funds (Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance) would remain in 2034.
Conclusion
Every year, SSA calculates an automatic adjustment in Social Security benefits to reflect changes in the cost of living, allowing beneficiaries to maintain the purchasing power of their benefits. The 3.6-percent 2027 COLA was calculated using the CPI-W, a narrow price index that tends to overstate inflation. While this approach roughly preserves recipients' real benefits, it is nevertheless a somewhat outdated index. Reforms to the calculation of the COLA, such as a switch to the Chained CPI, will likely be included in any meaningful Social Security reform effort.
* * *
Jordan Haring is the Director of Fiscal Policy at the American Action Forum
* * *
Original text here: https://www.americanactionforum.org/insight/ssa-announces-3-6-percent-social-security-cola-for-2027/
[Category: Think Tank]