February 22, 2019. The New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees Program began in 2017, as a remarkable response to the federal government’s radical retreat from refugee resettlement. New York took on what no other state did: it helped resettlement agencies to get through a difficult period, and also to rethink their role in their communities. The first two years of funding were $2 million; this year the Fiscal Policy Institute, the resettlement agencies, and the New York Immigration Coalition … (read more)

February 21, 2018. The New Hope Budget coalition is a group of advocates across the state calling on lawmakers to adopt a “morally responsible” state budget that addresses the ever-widening gap between the “haves and have-nots.” The coalition calls for taxing the wealthy, raising the two percent state spending cap, reducing local property taxes, and campaign finance reform among other socioeconomic issues.

The coalition is currently on a 13-stop statewide tour, meeting with community members and state legislatures. This week, … (read more)

February 21, 2019. Continuing on their 13 stop tour across New York, the New Hope Budget advocates stopped in Ithaca to discuss a state budget that levels the playing field for all New Yorkers.

“A budget is a moral document when you think about it. A budget is about priorities,” Ron Deutsch, executive director of the Fiscal Policy Institute, said to an audience including Tompkins County legislators and members of various political, labor and religious organizations.

Find the article … (read more)

February 20, 2019. Senator Julia Salazar and Assemblymember Ron Kim were joined by Senator Michael Gianaris, the Fiscal Policy Institute, and community-based organizations as they introduced new legislation to end corporate welfare packages. The proposed bill would enact a collective agreement between all states that join, an interstate compact, to end the costly Race to the Bottom between different cities and states, which has cost many of them billions annually in taxpayers’ money for several decades. The legislation can be … (read more)

On Monday morning, March 4th, 2019, the Fiscal Policy Institute will present its twenty-ninth annual budget briefing at the Community Service Society (633 Third Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10017). Please bring photo ID for lobby security.

A complimentary breakfast and check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. Our presentation begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 10:30 a.m. We hope that you and/or members of your staff will be able to join us for what we are … (read more)

February 19, 2019. This article discusses the rally where advocates, the New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, and the Fiscal Policy Institute came together to show support for a bill that would all undocumented immigrants access to driver’s licenses if passed. The author highlights that there is a possibility that the bill will pass since the whole government is now controlled by Democrats.

Advocates opened a new push Friday to get drivers’ licenses for illegal immigrants now that the entire … (read more)

February 19, 2019. This article discusses the need and support for New Jersey to pass a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. According to the article 76,204 arrests were made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that were the result of traffic offenses. The author highlights the fear that undocumented immigrants have to drive due to the threat of deportation, but they need to for daily activities such as going to school, buying groceries and medical … (read more)

February 15, 2019. This article discusses the New York’s City Council’s efforts to allow undocumented immigrants access to driver’s licenses, through passing a resolution. The author highlights the testimonies of many undocumented immigrants who talk about the fear that they have when driving because they face possible arrest and deportation if they get pulled over. However, undocumented immigrants have to drive in order to obtain basic necessities, take their children to school, go to the hospital and for other daily … (read more)

January 14, 2019. On February 12th, 2019, the Patriotic Millionaires joined several organizations from across the state, including the Fiscal Policy Institute, outside the Joint Legislative Hearing on Taxes in in the Legislative Office Building in Albany to urge New York’s elected officials to raise additional revenues by asking the wealthiest New Yorkers to pay a little more. The press event was featured in several media outlets, which are listed below.

• • • • New York Nonprofit Media: Several nonprofits appeared

February 15, 2019. Suddenly, with a new legislature in office, New York is poised to join 12 other states plus Puerto Rico and D.C. and allow undocumented immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses.A report by the Fiscal Policy Institute (FPI) estimates that 265,000 undocumented immigrants statewide would obtain driver’s licenses, including 64,000 north of New York City and 51,000 on Long Island. FPI also estimates that $57 million in annual revenue and $27 million in one-time revenue would be generated … (read more)