Steve Pociask

Steve Pociask

With over 40 years of experience in economic, policy, strategy and consumer research, Steve Pociask is president of the American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) think tank. Many of his research studies are filed at both federal and state regulatory commissions, and include such regulatory and legislative topics as energy, insurance, telecommunications, consumer protections, postal and health care issues.

He has spoken to numerous state and local legislators on a variety of regulatory issues, and testified before the Congressional Subcommittee for Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protection on broadband competition. He has written about regulation, industry cost, price structure, competition and mergers.

He has completed two studies for the Office of Advocacy for the Small Business Administration and has written three books for the Economic Policy Institute on telecommunications and broadband policy. His book, “MCI WorldCom’s Sprint Toward Monopoly: An Analysis of the Proposed Telecommunications Merger,” co-authored with Dr. Jack Rutner, accurately predicted the Department of Justice’s decision to block the merger.

He has appeared numerous times in the media, including Fox TV, Bloomberg News, CNBC, Congressional Quarterly, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and CNET Radio. In the past, he has been an affiliated expert for three think tanks.

He is chairman of the Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer Advisory Committee. Mr. Pociask previously served as chief economist and executive vice president for the economic consulting firm Joel Popkin.

Before this assignment, he spent 18 years working in the technology industry, including chief economist for the Bell Atlantic Corporation. He has completed his Ph.D. coursework in economics and has an M.A. in economics from George Mason University. For more information about the institute, visit www.theAmericanConsumer.org.


Recent Work

June 14, 2022
by Steve Pociask
Under Risk Rating 2.0, High-Income Communities Finally Pay Their Fair Share

Low-income neighborhoods face long roads to recovery as they are often disproportionately affected by natural disasters like hurricanes and flooding.... Read More

Low-income neighborhoods face long roads to recovery as they are often disproportionately affected by natural disasters like hurricanes and flooding. Yet, instead of paying an equitable amount for the coverage they need, they continue to subsidize flood insurance for affluent, coastal communities. However, implementing a new... Read More

April 10, 2020
by Steve Pociask
NFIP Is the Anti-Robin Hood of Disaster Relief

Floods are America’s most common natural disaster, causing millions of dollars of damage each year. To protect consumers, FEMA’s National... Read More

Floods are America’s most common natural disaster, causing millions of dollars of damage each year. To protect consumers, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides coverage for over 5 million policyholders. But analysis of recently released FEMA data shows that the taxpayer-funded program first and foremost... Read More

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When you’re in an outdoor exercise routine, the changing seasons can dampen your plans. Do you enjoy long walks, runs or bike rides along the mall while soaking up vitamin D from the sun? Did you love swimming laps at... Read More

Ringo Starr on ‘Rewind Forward,’ the AI-Assisted Final Beatles Track and More

LOS ANGELES (AP) — There are rock stars, and then there is Ringo Starr — drummer for the Beatles, award-winning soloist, photographer,... Read More

LOS ANGELES (AP) — There are rock stars, and then there is Ringo Starr — drummer for the Beatles, award-winning soloist, photographer, narrator, actor, activist. To call him prolific would almost shortchange his accomplishments. But it also feels right. “Rewind Forward,” out... Read More

Inside Scientists' Mission to Save America’s Wine Industry From Climate Change

ALPINE, Ore. (AP) — The U.S. West Coast produces over 90% of America's wine, but the region is also prone... Read More

ALPINE, Ore. (AP) — The U.S. West Coast produces over 90% of America's wine, but the region is also prone to wildfires — a combustible combination that spelled disaster for the industry in 2020 and one that scientists are scrambling to neutralize.... Read More

California Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs Law to Raise Minimum Wage for Fast Food Workers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California fast food workers will be paid at least $20 per hour next year under a... Read More

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California fast food workers will be paid at least $20 per hour next year under a new law signed Thursday by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. When it takes effect on April 1, fast food workers in... Read More

The Greatest Threat to America’s Health Care System? Administrative Red Tape.

America is at the crossroads of a medical crisis. The nursing shortage continues to plague health care systems across the... Read More

America is at the crossroads of a medical crisis. The nursing shortage continues to plague health care systems across the country, but legislators have done little to support rehabilitating the sector. As critical gaps in care rapidly devolve into deep... Read More

September 27, 2023
by Dan McCue
FCC Chair Moves to Rekindle Net Neutrality Fight 

WASHINGTON — Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel on Tuesday kick-started the process to restore “net neutrality” regulations, declaring that... Read More

WASHINGTON — Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel on Tuesday kick-started the process to restore “net neutrality” regulations, declaring that “no one can have a fair shot at 21st century success” without “fast, open and fair” access to the internet.... Read More

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