Richard McGahey

The New School

Contributor at Forbes

Economics, cities. @ColumbiaUP book Unequal Cities. Now @SCEPA_economics & @RacePowerPolicy, former DOL Asst Sec for Policy & ExecDir, Joint Economic Committee

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Articles

Republicans: “Unbelievable Unity,” Not Division, On Big Beautiful Bill

1 week ago | forbes.com | Richard McGahey

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 22: House SpeakerMike Johnson (R-LA) celebrates passage of the bill forwarding ... More President Donald Trump's agenda on May 22, 2025. The tax and spending legislation, in what has been called the "big beautiful bill", redirects money to the military and border security and includes cuts to Medicaid, education and other domestic programs. Johnson was flanked by House Committee Chairmen who helped craft the legislation.
New York’s Challenges In Budgeting For Racial Equity

3 weeks ago | forbes.com | Richard McGahey

In 2022, New York City voters added provisions on racial equity to the city charter. But ... More implementation has been slow and halting and required reports not issued.
Trump’s First 100 Days Fuels An Economic Debate: Strategy Or Chaos

1 month ago | forbes.com | Richard McGahey

The Trump administration’s aggressive and wide-ranging economic policy changes during his first 100 days, especially historically high tariffs coupled with a confrontational negotiating stance towards trading partners, is fueling an intense debate among economists. Is there a master plan at work, and we just need to be patient? Or do Trump’s policies lack a coherent strategy, and risk both short and long-term economic damage?
Andre Perry’s “Black Power Scorecard” Is Essential Reading, Especially Now

2 months ago | forbes.com | Richard McGahey

The Trump Administration continues attacking diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, calling them “illegal and immoral” and using them as a rationale for cancelling millions of dollars in federal grants, firing federal employees, and leaning on universities and private businesses to halt DEI efforts. Now Brookings Institution scholar Andre M.
The Challenges To Racial Equity Budget Scoring

2 months ago | forbes.com | Richard McGahey

With the storm of anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies unleashed by President Trump, and the subsequent retreat by federal agencies, companies, and universities, you might think DEI is finished as policy. But many states and cities—including Washington D.C., Chicago, and New York--remain committed to racial equity in their budgets and policies. They continue working through technical and administrative challenges while anticipating major conflicts with the Trump Administration.
Why Progressive "Myths" Distort Solutions to the Housing Shortage

Mar 18, 2025 | publicseminar.org | Richard McGahey |Liviu Chelcea |Michael Inman |Mary Karmelek

Residential buildings in New York City | M_Makarov / ShutterstockIn January 2025, Urban Matters, Center of New York City Affair’s weekly journal of ideas and opinion, wrapped up a wide-ranging two-part interview with noted urban policy expert Richard McGahey on the likely impact of New York City’s newly adopted “City of Yes”’” zoning package intended to jumpstart housing production.
Democrats’ Distrust Of Trump And Republicans Drives Government Shutdown

Mar 8, 2025 | forbes.com | Richard McGahey

With a government shutdown likely on March 14, President Trump and Congress are getting serious about preventing it—or at least discussing it. Congressional procedures mean avoiding a shutdown will require bipartisan support. But Democrats don’t trust Trump to keep any bargain he agrees to, making it hard to see what the solution might be. Shutdown Because Regular Congressional Budget Process Is BrokenWhy is a shutdown looming?
Trump And Republican Budget May Drain Medicaid To Pay For Huge Tax Cut

Feb 27, 2025 | forbes.com | Richard McGahey

The House’s very aggressive budget plan for next fiscal year (starting in October) is the latest turmoil gripping Washington. The Republican budget plan calls for trillions of dollars in regressive tax cuts.
Trump, Republicans Confront Democrats Over March Government Shutdown

Feb 20, 2025 | forbes.com | Richard McGahey

We are about to face a new crisis in Washington,—the federal government may shut down in mid-March because it isn’t legally authorized to spend beyond that date. Only prompt action by President Trump and Congress can prevent the shutdown. But the shutdown may happen because of battles between Trump and the Democrats over spending, and fights among the Republicans themselves. We Could Have A Government Shutdown In MarchFirst, the problem.
Addressing New York City’s Housing Crisis: “City Of Yes” Is Not Enough

Jan 31, 2025 | forbes.com | Richard McGahey

As America’s housing affordability crisis continues, New York and other cities are taking steps to address the problem. I recently was interviewed about New York City’s approach by Bruce Cory for Urban Matters of the New School’s Center for New York City Affairs, an outlet for policy debate. Here are edited excerpts; you can read the full two-part interview here and here, and you should check out the other great work the Center is doing.