Daniel Burge
Director of the Rivlin Initiative at the D.C. Policy Center.
Analyzing economic, demographic, and migration trends shaping D.C. and the broader region.
#EconSky | #PolicySky | www.dcpolicycenter.org | @dcpolicycenter.bsky.social
- Reposted by Daniel BurgeState governments are central to housing reform: they build infrastructure, allocate funding & set regulatory standards. But most states lack the policy infrastructure to support needed change. @dcpolicycenter.bsky.social chimes in with some solutions. www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🌟 In our recently published report, "Is the District of Columbia still competitive?," researchers @daniel-burge.bsky.social and @yesimsayin.bsky.social provide 13 recommendations to improve D.C.'s economic vibrancy. ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- "Resident demand for D.C. is fragile. The District’s resident population has nearly recovered from its decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. International migration has driven population growth in recent years, but this source of growth remains vulnerable to stricter immigration policies..." 1\n
- Our new report examines whether the District of Columbia remains a place that residents, workers and employers, businesses, and investors find attractive. The findings suggest that the District faces multiple headwinds. Read the full report here: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- "Employer and worker demand for D.C. is weak. Since the pandemic, the District’s nonfarm employment growth has lagged the nation. Average real wages in the District have also fallen, and a smaller share of workers in the D.C. metro area are physically working in the District." 2/n
- "Business demand for D.C. is mixed. Private sector establishments in the District have grown faster in number since 2020, and the business landscape has shifted toward smaller businesses...However, entrepreneurial interest...has fallen since the pandemic..." 3/n
- "Investor demand for D.C. is uneven. Surveys suggest that interest in the D.C. metro area has been relatively muted. Furthermore ... Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) exposed to D.C. assets are underperforming compared with national REITs." 4/n
- Reposted by Daniel Burge👏 We're thrilled to release "Is the District of Columbia still competitive? Waning interest after COVID-19 and how D.C. can reverse the trend." 📊 @daniel-burge.bsky.social and @yesimsayin.bsky.social focus on revealed preferences to explore D.C.'s vibrancy. ➡️ Read more: ow.ly/1oT850XBsmJ
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🗓️ On 12/12, join the DC Education Research Collaborative—in partnership with @dcpublicschools.bsky.social, @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, D.C. Policy Center, and Georgetown University—to learn about research on Career Development Opportunities in DCPS. ➡️ Register today: www.urban.org/events/explo...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🌟 Recently, Executive Director Yesim Sayin testified before the @councilofdc.bsky.social on workforce education. 📊 She focused on disparities among D.C.-born residents versus those who moved to D.C. as adults and making investments to expand success. ➡️ Read more: ow.ly/mFyn50XAFQA
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🌟 Last week, D.C. Policy Center Deputy Director @cfcoffin.bsky.social testified before @councilofdc.bsky.social at the adult workforce education hearing. 👩💻 Her testimony focused on D.C.’s adult public charter schools and their ability to improve economic mobility. ➡️ Read more: ow.ly/jMgU50XxuYT
- Don't have time to read the full report? Read the one-page summary of the report here: www.dcpolicycenter.org/wp-content/u...
- Our new report examines whether the District of Columbia remains a place that residents, workers and employers, businesses, and investors find attractive. The findings suggest that the District faces multiple headwinds. Read the full report here: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Our new report examines whether the District of Columbia remains a place that residents, workers and employers, businesses, and investors find attractive. The findings suggest that the District faces multiple headwinds. Read the full report here: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🏘️ We recently published "Strengthening state-level policy for growing housing supply." 🌟 The report explores the possibility of a national network that collaborates on state-level housing policy innovations. ➡️ Read more: ow.ly/mbPW50Xj4Kq
- "[T]he D.C. region’s performance relative to the other metro areas...varies...Following the March 2001 and December 2007 recessions, the D.C. region performed comparatively well, while it performed less well after the July 1990 and February 2020 recessions." www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🦇 This week at the D.C. Policy Center: October 31, 2025 ➡️ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more: dcpolicycenter.us15.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🎒 In 2023-24, 56% of D.C. high school students were chronically absent. Where do D.C.'s schools go from here? 📊 Our latest report uses OSSE data to highlight key findings on absenteeism in @dcpublicschools.bsky.social and public charter schools. ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🏘️ Work from home continues to be a massive shift in the labor market. 👩💻 But work from home trends vary widely among those born in D.C. and those who moved here as adults, with other differences emerging based on educational attainment. ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🌟 We are thrilled to have been awarded the Best Implementation Award from @pienetwork.bsky.social for our work on High-Impact Tutoring with @dccharters.bsky.social , @edforwarddc.bsky.social , @empowerk12.bsky.social, and @dcpave.bsky.social! ➡️ Read more: ow.ly/CfBh50X97m7
- "[R]emote work remains concentrated among D.C. residents with higher levels of educational attainment." www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge📊 The 2025 Q3 round of the Business Sentiments Survey asked D.C.-area business leaders about the effects of federal actions. 📉 The findings highlight growing pessimism toward the local, regional, and national economies. ➡ Read more: https://ow.ly/hbAH50X8qfV
- Reposted by Daniel Burge📊 The 2025 State of Business Report showed weak economic conditions D.C., highlighting the need for investments in growth. 📉 "Private establishment growth in [D.C.] slowed between 2023 and 2024, increasing by just 1.6 percent." ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🏘️ Invest in vibrancy by expanding the supply of housing, improving public infrastructure, and revitalizing downtown to attract and retain innovative residents, workers, and businesses.
- Reposted by Daniel Burge📋 Modernize governance by simplifying permitting, regularly reviewing regulations, and embedding economic impact analysis into policymaking.
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🏫 Foster university-linked innovation by supporting research commercialization, expanding innovation infrastructure, and reforming tech transfer processes.
- Reposted by Daniel Burge👩💻 Diversify the District’s economy by cultivating emerging industry clusters and aligning workforce training with future-facing skill needs.
- Reposted by Daniel Burge💰 Invigorate job growth through targeted, performance-based tax incentives focused on export-oriented industries that offer scalable employment opportunities.
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🔍 What does D.C.'s economic future look like? In the 2025 State of Business Report, created for DC Chamber of Commerce, researchers identify key strategies for promoting growth and innovation in the District's economy:
- Too busy to read the full 2025 State of Business report? Check out Axios's coverage of the report: www.axios.com/local/washin...
- The 2025 State of Business Report is out! "The District’s economy is grappling with a shrinking share of job activity, high office vacancy rates, stagnant nominal office rents, and waning entrepreneurial interest." www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🌟 Keep up with the D.C. Policy Center! 📩 Our weekly newsletter includes what our researchers are reading, recent and relevant publications, and media mentions. ➡️ Subscribe: dcpolicycenter.us15.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge📉 Following the federal reduction in force, federal government employment in the D.C. region has fallen by 5 percent since the start of the year. ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge📈 @daniel-burge.bsky.social, Director of The Rivlin Initiative for Economic Policy and Competitiveness, analyzed cumulative D.C. resident employment growth in the 55 months following four recessions: July 1990, March 2001, December 2007, and February 2020. www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge📉 Business Sentiments Survey results show business leaders are wary of D.C.'s future. 📊 From @daniel-burge.bsky.social: "Respondents became much less optimistic, with only 9% and 14% expecting D.C.’s economy to strengthen over the next 6 months." ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🌟 The D.C. Policy Center is hiring! 🔍 We are looking for an organized, detail-oriented Operations Manager to support finance, human resources, administrative, and compliance functions. ➡️ For more information and to apply: www.dcpolicycenter.org/jobs/
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🌟 We want to know the business community's expectations for the economy! 📊 Representatives from businesses and nonprofits in the D.C. region are invited to complete the 2025 Q2 Business Sentiments Survey. ➡️ Complete the survey: dcpc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
- 🌸 With cherry blossoms in peak bloom, D.C. has seen an uptick in tourism. 📈 Revisit this chart from Rivlin Initiative Director @daniel-burge.bsky.social on the value of tourism to D.C.'s economy: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- 📈 This week's chart from @daniel-burge.bsky.social examines the growing wage gap in D.C., even as national trends narrow. ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- 📊 Friday's chart of the week examined the widening education wage gap in the District. 📈 "Between 1980 and 2024, the gap in median hourly wages between individuals without a bachelor’s degree and those with one widened." ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🌟 We recently released "TOPA’s Promise and Pitfalls: Balancing tenant rights, affordability, and housing investment in Washington, D.C." 🏘️ The report explores the intentions and outcomes of the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA). ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- "It is well-known that wages and educational attainment are positively correlated." #EconSky #PolicySky www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- "In 1980, the median hourly wage of a high school graduate in the District of Columbia was 35 percent lower than that of a bachelor’s degree holder. By 2024, high school graduates earned 52 percent less." #EconSky #PolicySky www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- 📊 On Friday, we published a chart of the week from @daniel-burge.bsky.social on domestic migration in high- and low-cost metropolitan areas. ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- "Between July 2023 and July 2024, the population of the Washington metropolitan area grew at a rate of 14.3 per 1,000 people." www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications... #EconSky #PolicySky
- "Tourists contribute to the District’s economy as well as its sales and use tax coffers by spending on car rentals, parking, restaurant meals, and more." #PolicySky #EconSky www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- "During the pandemic, domestic tourism [in the District] plummeted to 13.1 million in 2020. Since then, domestic tourism has not only rebounded but exceeded its pre-pandemic 2019 level—reaching 24 million domestic visitors in 2023." #EconSky #PolicySky www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- 🏛️ Yesterday, we published a piece from Executive Director Yesim Sayin on the potential impact on D.C. of the Congressional Continuing Resolution. ➡️ Read and share the article: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- 🏘️ Today we published "TOPA’s Promise and Pitfalls: Balancing tenant rights, affordability, and housing investment in Washington, D.C." 📊The report examines impacts of the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) on D.C.’s housing market. ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- 🌟 State of D.C. Schools 2023-24 will release tomorrow! 🏫 Join us at MLK Library at 9:30 AM for the release event. ➡️ Register here: secure.givelively.org/event/dc-pol...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🔁 This pattern holds true for different subgroups and pre- and post-pandemic. Explore postsecondary enrollment by student group, chronic absenteeism tier, and pandemic timing here: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🎓 Looking at postsecondary enrollment for DC's high school graduates, on average, 7 in 10 high school graduates who missed less than 5 percent of the school year went on to enroll in postsecondary, compared to 3 in 10 who missed more than 30 percent of the school year.
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🙋♀️ We know attendance matters for K-12 learning outcomes. New data shared with @dcpolicycenter.bsky.social by the team at OSSE shows that there is a connection with next steps after high school, too.
- "At the start of 2025, more respondents expect the local, regional, and national economies to weaken rather than strengthen in the next six months." #EconSky www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- "While many discussions of crime focus on crime rates, focusing solely on rates can lead to an incomplete picture. Even when crime rates stabilize or decline, the overall number of crimes in D.C. may remain high and contribute to concerns about public safety." www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- "Between 2023 and 2024, crime declined in D.C." www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🌟 Results from the 2025 Quarter 1 round of the Business Sentiments Survey are now available! 📊 The results highlight businesses' expectations for staffing in the coming months, experiences with crime, and concerns around public safety. ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge✨ The D.C. Policy Center is excited to announce the appointment of Matthew Klein as Chairman of the Board of Directors and the designation of Charles "Sandy" Wilkes as Chairman Emeritus. ➡️ Read the press release: www.dcpolicycenter.org?post_type=pu...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge📚 Don't forget to register for the State of D.C. Schools 2023-24 release event! 🌟 The event will feature a review of findings from EPI Director @cfcoffin.bsky.social, a panel of education experts, and speakers from OSSE and DC SBOE. ➡️ Register today: secure.givelively.org/event/dc-pol...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge⤵️ In case you missed it, we estimated the current outstanding federal grant money in D.C.:
- 📊 "Currently, outstanding federal grant money in D.C.–excluding funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services– tops $2.9 billion. 53% is designated for nonprofits, 42.5% for the D.C. government, and 3.5% for private universities." ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- "Further analysis shows that, compared to 2019, the reduction in commute times for D.C. residents in the federal government, non-profit, or private sectors in 2023 can be entirely attributed to the shift to no commute at all." #EconSky #PolicySky www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- "Like residents employed in other sectors, a larger share of D.C. residents in state or local government had no commute after the pandemic. However, by 2023, only 10.3 percent had no commute at all—the lowest share among the three sectors that year." www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- "[A]fter 2019, with the exception of D.C. residents working in state or local government, a smaller share of employed residents had commute times longer than 36 minutes, and a larger share of D.C. employed residents had no commute at all." www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge✨ On January 25th, Executive Director Yesim Sayin was quoted in @wsj.com: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🏘️ Today, we "Housing affordability for early childhood educators in D.C., Part III." ✨ The report highlights that housing costs are too high for early childhood educators, making a second income necessary to afford housing expenses. ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge📊 "Currently, outstanding federal grant money in D.C.–excluding funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services– tops $2.9 billion. 53% is designated for nonprofits, 42.5% for the D.C. government, and 3.5% for private universities." ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge📊 Today's chart of the week looks at business applications in the District. 📈 High propensity business applications–those likely to turn into businesses with payroll–have been stagnant, even as total business applications has increased. ➡️ Read more: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge❗The January 2025 Business Sentiments Survey will close this Thursday! ➡️ Complete the survey here: dcpc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
- 🌟 Don't forget to complete the January 2025 round of the Quarterly Business Sentiments Survey! 📊 Questions will focus on the business community's perspective on the economy and the impact of crime on D.C. businesses. ➡️ Complete the survey: dcpc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🌟 Don't forget to complete the January 2025 round of the Quarterly Business Sentiments Survey! 📊 Questions will focus on the business community's perspective on the economy and the impact of crime on D.C. businesses. ➡️ Complete the survey: dcpc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge🌟The first round of 2025 for the Quarterly Business Sentiments Survey is now live! ➡️If you are the owner or executive of a business in the D.C. region, complete the survey: dcpc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge➡️ Read the year in review: www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications...
- Reposted by Daniel Burge✨ Finding #3: Hiring or retaining employees has become more difficult since the pandemic. ✨ Finding #4: When deciding where to locate, businesses prioritize appearance and accessibility. ✨ Finding #5: Businesses that pursued outside funding struggled to obtain the desired amount.
- Reposted by Daniel Burge✨ Finding #1: A jurisdiction’s tax and regulatory regime carries weight in business location decisions. ✨ Finding #2: Pessimism about the District’s economy slightly eased at the end of 2024.
- Reposted by Daniel Burge📆 Today, we published a recap of the first year of the survey, highlighting 5 key takeaways:
- Reposted by Daniel Burge📊 In 2024, the Rivlin Initiative at the D.C. Policy Center, led by @daniel-burge.bsky.social, launched the Quarterly Business Sentiments Survey. Amassing 936 responses over four rounds, the survey intends to capture the business community's experiences in D.C. and the region.
