Day 27 of the shutdown! Give it up for Day 27!
New Pro–CoL Developments:
California Readies $11 Insulin Pens to Lower Drug Costs
What happened: A state-contracted generic insulin pen will be sold for just $11 each under California’s CalRx program starting in 2026.
Why it matters: About 3 in 10 adults report skipping medications due to cost, and insulin’s high price has literally been life-threatening for diabetics. The $11 insulin pens could save patients hundreds of dollars a month and pressure other manufacturers to lower prices.
Some cities are seeing rents fall!
What happened: In several once-hot Sun Belt markets, rents are lower than a year ago. For example, asking rents in Austin are down –4.7%, Denver –3.4%, Phoenix –2.2% year-over-year. These declines reflect a construction boom that boosted supply.
Why it matters: At a time where rents seem to never drop, highlighting when it does is important. By contrast, highly regulated or high-demand areas are still seeing rent growth – Chicago is up about +6%, San Francisco +5.6%, New York +5.3% YoY. Overall, however, the cooling trend in rents is a welcome relief in many regions.
Pennsylvania Pushes to Curb Surging Electric Bills
What happened: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro took aim at the region’s power grid operator (PJM) over rising electricity prices. Shapiro said PJM has “months, not years” to reform – or Pennsylvania may seek to leave the multi-state grid. He’s pressing for changes to give the state more say in how the grid is run, accusing PJM of slow-walking new power projects and driving up costs.
Why it matters: Electricity bills are climbing across the country, with one analysis projecting an extra $130 per Pennsylvania household per year by 2030 under current trends. Shapiro argues that PJM’s rules and delays (for example, capping how quickly new generators get approved) have led to spiking prices for consumers. By demanding a more consumer-friendly grid Pennsylvania hopes to keep energy affordable and reliable for millions of residents.
New Anti–CoL Developments:
Federal Shutdown Hits 27 Days, Imperiling Services
What happened: The federal government’s shutdown, triggered on Oct. 1, stretched into its fourth week with no resolution in sight. At 27 days and counting, it’s now the second-longest funding lapse in U.S. history. Meanwhile, the real-world impacts are intensifying: hundreds of thousands of federal workers missed paychecks, national parks and agencies are largely closed, and crucial safety-net programs are running out of funds. The USDA announced that food stamp (SNAP) benefits for over 40 million Americans will be at risk on Nov. 1 if the shutdown continues, warning that “‘the well has run dry’” for food aid.
Why it matters: If SNAP benefits lapse, millions of low-income households suddenly have to pay more out-of-pocket for groceries, effectively raising their cost of living overnight. The threat to ACA subsidies is similarly dire: roughly 20 million Americans rely on those subsidies to keep insurance premiums manageable. Without an extension, their health premiums could spike dramatically in January, potentially “sending health insurance costs soaring for millions” Even short of that worst case, the shutdown has already halted new housing vouchers and could delay tax refunds, small business loans, and other financial lifelines.
Trump Slaps 10% Tariff Hike on Canada — Over a Reagan Ad
What happened: Trump abruptly announced a new 10% tariff increase on Canadian goods on October 25, following a bizarre feud over a television ad aired in Ontario. The ad, aired during the World Series, used edited audio of Ronald Reagan speaking out against tariffs — a move Trump called “fraudulent” despite confirmation the audio was authentic. In retaliation, Trump suspended all ongoing trade negotiations and ordered the tariff hike, without specifying which Canadian goods would be affected.
Why this matters: Yes, you read that right. It’s a policy decision made over a TV commercial, and one that could cost U.S. consumers and businesses billions. Canada is America’s second-largest trading partner, and many of the most affected imports (including lumber, aluminum, and auto parts) are directly tied to housing and transportation costs. Additional tariffs will raise prices on construction materials, car components, and home appliances, directly fueling inflation across key cost-of-living sectors.
Win of the Week!
The win of the week goes to… the Democrats who finally figured out how to talk about affordability.
In a surprising but overdue shift, national and state Democrats are trading in decades of climate-first messaging for something voters actually care about: lower utility bills. As POLITICO’s Debra Kahn reported recently the post-2024 lesson is clear — climate may still be real, but affordability is what wins elections.
You’re now hearing climate leaders like Senator Brian Schatz and Senator Chris Coons sound like budget hawks. Coons didn’t mention the word “climate” once in a recent op-ed — instead, he tied Delaware’s rising electricity prices to Republican policy rollbacks. Schatz was even more direct: “The way to victory is to talk about price.”
That’s all for now! See you in two weeks!