Press Releases

Record Surge in NYS Unemployment in December: Lagging Benefits Expose Holes in Safety Net for Jobless New Yorkers

January 22, 2009. Data released today by the New York State Department of Labor reveal that the state's unemployment rate jumped to 7.0 percent in December (the highest figure recorded in the state since 1994) from November's revised level of 6.0 percent. Over 671,000 New Yorkers were unemployed in December, an increase of 229,000 (52 percent) from December of 2007. The national recession began in December 2007. Both the one-month unemployment increase of 1.0 percent and the 229,000 12-month increase in the unemployed count are [...]

Anthony Troia2020-11-13T14:50:34-05:00January 22nd, 2009|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Press Releases|

FPI Reaction to the 2009-2010 Executive Budget

December 16, 2008. The governor's proposal hurts low- and moderate-income New Yorkers while requiring little from wealthy New Yorkers, and would would cause needless harm to the state economy. The lessons from 2003 show that New York can successfully close large budget gaps without these negative impacts. Press release >>

Anthony Troia2012-03-17T01:44:22-04:00December 16th, 2008|Press Releases, State Budget, Tax & Budget, Tax Policy|

Economists to Governor: Raise High-End Income Taxes To Help Close Budget Gaps

December 13, 2008. 120 economists from throughout New York State joined together this week to send a message to Albany: steep cuts in state spending will weaken the already struggling New York economy, and will hurt poor and middle income New Yorkers. In a letter to the governor, the economists urge him to take a balanced approach to closing the gap in the state budget between revenues and spending - an approach that includes raising taxes on high-income households.

Anthony Troia2020-11-13T14:50:34-05:00December 13th, 2008|Blog, Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Press Releases, State Budget, Tax & Budget, Tax Policy|

Wages for young New York Workers stuck at 1979 levels: Union representation means higher wages, more benefits

October 16, 2008. A new report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research, Unions and Upward Mobility for Young Workers, shows that the median wage in New York State for unionized young workers is 13 percent higher than for nonunion - and 15.5 higher for young women. Press release including New York-specific data >>

Anthony Troia2020-11-13T14:50:34-05:00October 16th, 2008|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Press Releases|

Unions Lift Wages for New York’s Hispanics

September 16, 2008. Unionization doubles health care and pension coverage. A new report from the Center on Economic and Policy Research, Unions and Upward Mobility for Latino Workers, shows that the median wage in New York State for unionized worker is $16.46 per hour, compared to a median of $12.00 per hour for nonunion. Press release including New York-specific data >>

Anthony Troia2020-11-13T14:50:35-05:00September 16th, 2008|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Press Releases|

Bush Administration Rule Would Force Health Centers to Close

September 8, 2008. FPI and others urge Congress to block this hostile rule and provide temporary fiscal relief through Medicaid. The new rule would have wide-ranging negative impacts of the new rule; advocates ask for a one-year moratorium and for inclusion of a temporary increase to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) in the second emergency supplemental stimulus package. Press release and letter to members of Congress.

Anthony Troia2012-03-15T17:08:17-04:00September 8th, 2008|Press Releases, Tax & Budget|

State of Working New York 2008: New York’s Rising Unemployment – The Other Crisis in Albany

August 28, 2008. Job losses rise, straining state unemployment insurance. Unemployment is up by 56,000 in the first half of 2008; in 25 counties, the increase is over 20 percent. New York’s projected budget gaps have received considerable attention in Albany; the state’s growing unemployment is the other crisis to which Albany must also turn its attention. Press release Report FPI's State of Working New York series, published biennially since 1999, provides comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the data available on the conditions facing workers [...]

Anthony Troia2020-11-13T14:50:35-05:00August 28th, 2008|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Press Releases, Reports, Briefs and Presentations|

New York has the highest poverty rate of all northern states

August 26, 2008. FPI's look at new Census data for New York: no progress on poverty and family incomes since the 2001 recession; fewer New Yorkers are now uninsured but 2.5 million still lack health insurance. Includes figures for larger counties, cities and towns, as well as New York's standing among the 50 states. Release with data >>

Anthony Troia2020-11-13T14:28:01-05:00August 26th, 2008|Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Press Releases, Reports, Briefs and Presentations|

Latest IRS Data Reveal Fundamental Mismatch Between New York’s Income Distribution and Its Tax System

August 6, 2008. New data from the Internal Revenue Service bolster the case for a high-end income tax surcharge in New York. New York is one of ten states that have income distributions that particularly favor the wealthy few - while the progressivity of the state income tax has been weakened since the 1990s. With the state facing a budget deficit and political leaders seeking a way to pay for effective and immediate property tax relief, this is especially timely news. Press release with NYS [...]

Anthony Troia2020-11-13T14:28:01-05:00August 6th, 2008|Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Press Releases, Tax & Budget, Tax Policy|

Increase in federal minimum wage doesn’t affect New Yorkers, but nearly 300,000 would be helped by state legislation

July 22, 2008. Although the federal minimum wage is set to increase on July 24, New York needs state legislation to move the purchasing power of the minimum wage closer to historic levels - and to a level that can keep a family of three out of poverty. By increasing the minimum wage, New York would improve the lot of workers without disrupting the labor market. Press release, full report.

Anthony Troia2020-11-13T14:58:54-05:00July 28th, 2008|Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Press Releases, Reports, Briefs and Presentations|

Unions Make a Big Difference for Low-Wage Workers

May 15, 2008. A new report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research analyzes Current Population Survey data from the Census Bureau and finds that workers represented by a union have higher wages, especially at the low end of the scale. Press release with New York specific data >> "Too often, people think there's not much we can do to reverse polarization in our economy. Here's clear evidence that unionization helps: it raises wages for all workers, and it raises them especially among lower-wage [...]

Anthony Troia2020-11-13T14:50:35-05:00May 15th, 2008|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Press Releases|