March 25, 2011. New data from the U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis show that New York State led all states in 2010 in the growth in net earnings. This issue of "Numbers that Count" shows that New York grew fastest and second fastest in terms of net earnings and personal income respectively, well ahead of the national averages.
March 23, 2011. This report, prepared for the New York Women's Foundation, shows that the Executive Budget takes away from an array of vital programs that strengthen women's ability to support themselves and their families, and keep them healthy and safe. Obstacles are placed in the paths of women trying to improve their lives and those of their children. The proposed assembly and senate budgets move in the right direction by moderating some of the proposed spending reductions. The leaders should further moderate cuts while [...]
March 8, 2011. A report from FPI, Good Jobs New York and the National Employment Law Project examines the low wages typically paid for many of the permanent jobs at city-subsidized economic development projects such as Bronx Gateway Mall, Fresh Direct and Yankee Stadium. An update of analysis originally conducted last May, the study finds that significant numbers of low-wage jobs are being created with New York City tax dollars, jobs for which starting pay is as low as the minimum wage and for which [...]
March 2, 2011. Despite Wall Street's rebound, unemployment and hardship continue; at best, recovery will be very gradual. The revenue rebound does not make up for declining federal and state aid, particularly in education. Human services are being cut, while recent tax changes worsen the regressivity of the City's tax structure. The City should begin to address several tax inequities and strengthen its revenue base. Briefing >>
March 1, 2011. At the public hearing on the Governor's proposed "Cap on Real Property Taxes" before the Assembly Standing Committees on Ways and Means, Education, Real Property Taxation, Local Government and Cities, Frank Mauro, FPI's executive director, explained why a cap on real property taxes would not effectively protect those most in need of property tax relief, and would exacerbate inequities in the current school finance system. In the short run, a property tax circuit breaker would provide effective and targeted relief. Over time, [...]
February 28, 2011. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) established the Emergency Contingency Fund within the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program for states to provide more support to needy families. The new fund would supplement a prior existing contingency fund (called the regular Contingency Fund), which in New York's case was soon to be exhausted. An ongoing series of briefs from the Fiscal Policy Institute, collected here together with related testimony, looks into the rules governing the new Emergency [...]
February 25, 2011. Most states are heading into their fourth year of fiscal crisis facing severe revenue shortfalls that require closing huge deficits. The choices states make about how to close those deficits have serious implications both in the short and long term. States that rely solely or primarily on widespread budget cuts to close deficits are harming residents and businesses that need immediate assistance; they also are reducing demand in the economy and impeding their state's economic recovery. This paper by Iris J. Lav [...]
February 24, 2011. An op ed by Frank Mauro and James Parrott, New York Daily News.
February 16, 2011. Testimony submitted by Carolyn Boldiston, FPI's Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst. Her testimony includes: a review of New York State's recent public assistance caseload history, a review of New York's historical utilization of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant, a review of the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of February 2009 on TANF funding and spending in New York State, and recommendations for the 2011-2012 state fiscal year.
February 14, 2011. The personal income tax (PIT) surcharge should be continued. It is not onerous, and it is offset by federal tax cuts. Moreover, unemployment is projected to stay above 7 percent until 2014; budget cuts worsen unemployment and the adversity experienced by many families in a weak economy. New York needs a balanced approach to balancing the budget, one that looks also at the revenue side, rather than relying too heavily on the cutting side. Brief >>
February 14, 2011. This presentation - by Frank Mauro of the Fiscal Policy Institute and Ron Deutsch of New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness - was made at a budget briefing for legislators, staff and advocates. The briefing was sponsored by Growing Together NY, Strong Economy for All Coalition, AFL-CIO, AFSCME NY, ATU, CSEA, CWA District 1, NYSUT, PEF, SEIU Local 32BJ, TWU, and UFT.
February 8, 2011. The Fiscal Policy Institute's 21st annual budget briefing. Briefing book on the 2011-2012 executive budget>>
February 7, 2011. An op ed by James Parrott, New York Times. Part of "Room for Debate" - Will City Pensions Be Cut?
February 1, 2011. The budget proposed today by the Governor places relies excessively on spending cuts, which increase unemployment and intensify hardships for those bearing the brunt of the recession. Meanwhile, a privileged group has profited tremendously from New York's economic growth over the past two decades, and from Wall Street's recent resurgence; the richest one percent of New Yorkers now receive 35 percent of all income in the state, while they pay a lower state and local tax burden than middle- and low-income state [...]
February 1, 2011. A response to an editorial in the New York Post, which argued that New York's extreme income polarization is not a problem.