February 1, 2010. Testimony presented by James Parrott, FPI’s Deputy Director and Chief Economist.

October 26, 2009. An article by James Parrott, FPI’s deputy director and chief economist, who writes regularly for Gotham Gazette’s Economy section. Article >>

June 24, 2009. Testimony before the Bronx Community Board 7′s public hearing on the Kingsbridge Armory Project, presented by research associate Michele Mattingly. As New York City leaves behind an economic era characterized by a financial sector distorted by reckless speculation, it is imperative that we rebuild the city economy on the basis of good, family-supporting jobs that create and sustain the middle-class.

March 4, 2009.  Testimony before the NYS Assembly Standing Committee on Local Governments Public Hearing on Industrial Development Agencies, submitted by FPI executive director Frank Mauro. There is room for improvement in six areas:

• The usefulness of IDA hearings,
• Reporting on costs and benefits of IDA-supported projects,
• Ensuring that IDA benefits don’t go to firms that break environmental, safety or other state laws,
• Coordination with all local governments affected by IDA decisions,
• Transmission and recording of PILOT payments

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November 6, 2008. Testimony of James A. Parrott before the New York State Commission on State Asset Maximization. To fulfill the commission’s charge to “maximize the value and use of state assets,” the state should carefully consider in-house design and prevailing wage standards when setting up new projects. Also, economic development subsidies should include strict accountability standards; the state should not act as project investor without receiving in return an ownership stake for the taxpayers.

May 29, 2008. A column by David Dyssegaard Kallick, New York Metro.

March 9, 2008. A letter to the editor by FPI deputy director and chief economist James A. Parrott, The Hartford Courant.

February 19, 2008. A column about IDA reform by FPI chief economist James Parrott and Jesse Lenney of Metro Justice, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

February 14, 2008. A column about IDA reform by FPI executive director Frank Mauro and Micaela Shapiro-Shellaby of the Coalition for Economic Justice, Buffalo News.

February 11, 2008. Despite the billions currently spent on economic development, we have relatively little to show for it. The appropriate guiding principle is building the middle class – thus increasing the already impressive productivity of New York workers. Logical next steps include scrapping Empire Zones, reforming IDAs and more. Brief >>