Yearly Archives: 2017

July 18, 2017. This article discusses the risk of deportation that undocumented immigrants face when driving a vehicle because they can't obtain driver's licenses in New York. The risk is now even higher under the Trump administration due to aggressive immigration enforcement. This article discusses how routine traffic stops have increased and led to the deportation of undocumented immigrants, even in emergencies, such as getting medicine for a sick daughter.  The article goes on to discuss how some do not support allowing undocumented immigrants access to driver's [...]

July 13, 2017. This article discusses the closing of the local small business, "We Are Nuts About Nuts," in New York City. This nut shop, owned by a Korean immigrant named Yeo, who purchased it 21 years ago, is closing due to the creation of upscale and expensive residential buildings that are replacing the office buildings surrounding the shop. This article also discusses how upscale residents do not equate to more business for shop owners, that rents increase and the ability to purchase items online [...]

July 11, 2017. The authors, Brooks Rainwater and Irma Esparza-Diggs, of an op-ed in The Hill, discuss how the "No Sanctuary for Criminals" bill could interfere with the inclusive and pro-immigrant beliefs, actions and stances that many mayors across the United States have. This bill would jeopardize funding to local public safety officers and would put local governments at risk of liability and litigation, in order to get local officers to act as immigration officers. This op-ed discusses how many mayors are aware of the economic [...]

July 7, 2017. This article discusses Governor Cuomo's use of a "message of necessity," which bypasses the three day waiting period between the introduction of a bill and when it can be voted on, in order to rename the Tappan Zee bridge after his father. The assembly previously voted not to pass this proposal. Some, including FPI's executive director Ron Deutsch, do not view renaming the bridge as a necessity. Messages are supposed to be reserved for emergencies but are often misused for routine purposes, [...]

July 7, 2017. This article discusses how the Trump administration rescinded the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) program but has continued Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). FPI's, Cyierra Roldan, policy analyst, was quoted discussing the local and state tax contributions that DACA recipients make.  This article discusses how the DACA program is beneficial to all. "DACA recipients currently pay a total of $1.6 billion to local and state taxes around the country; and currently in New York State, they are contributing $140 million," [...]

July 6, 2017. This article discusses the decision of the legislature, who chose to ignore ethics reform before the end of their session. The governor, who stated that ethics reform is a priority, is now proposing that a new inspector general could work under his office. Others are upset that the legislature did not approve ethics reform and are not convinced by the governor’s proposal because of the involvement of nine associates of the governor involved in bribery and bid-rigging scandals and the governor’s decision to [...]

Young Immigrants Pay $55 Million More in NY Taxes as a Result of DACA July 5, 2017. In the midst of a flurry of restrictive actions against various categories of immigrants, the Trump administration announced last month that it would continue, at least for now, the policy that protects some undocumented immigrants from deportation if they arrived in the United States as children. The policy, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, allows immigrant youth who register and are accepted to get permission [...]

July 2, 2017. In this editorial, the authors discuss the decision of the legislature, who decided not to pass ethics reform. The governor, who stated that ethics reform is a priority, is now proposing that a new inspector general could work under his office. Others are upset that the legislature did not approve ethics reform and are not convinced by the governor's proposal because of the involvement of associates of the governor involved in bribery and bid-rigging scandals and the governor's decision to disband the Moreland Commission. [...]

June 26, 2017. FPI's Executive Director, Ron Deutsch joins Barbara Bartoletti, Legislative Director for the League of Women Voters of New York State and Blair Horner, Executive Director of NYPIRG on WCNY News to discuss the failure of lawmakers to pass contract procurement and ethic reforms and voting laws. "It's been a sad day in Albany. It's a bad day at the end of the legislative session when nothing gets done on contract reform, on economic development reform and we are looking at a major [...]

June 26, 2017. This article discusses the failure of lawmakers to implement ethical reforms that would prevent bid-rigging scandals in economic development contracts. The article discusses how Governor Cuomo is against the contract procurement bill and is proposing to hire a new inspector general who will work under him. Many are not happy with this decision and do not agree with the Governor's proposal, including FPI's Executive Director, Ron Deutsch. Ron Deutsch, with the union backed think tank Fiscal Policy Institute, says it’s a missed [...]

June 26, 2017. An article featured in the Times Union discusses the proposal of Governor Cuomo's "Faso-Collins Federal Tax," which is a $2.3 billion tax added on to local property taxes in New York State in order to offset the costs of Medicaid. The article notes that some do not support this proposal and criticize the governor for not cutting his own budget and deem is as a scheme and suggest that another source of revenue is needed. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday warned of [...]

June 24, 2017. An article in the Saratogian, that quotes FPI's executive director Ron Deutsch, discussed the failure of the Senate and Assembly to pass a routine school governance extender and reforms to prevent future bid-rigging scandals. They may convene again in the summer to make a decision on education and extending local sales tax. The Senate and Assembly adjourned for the summer Wednesday without acting on ethics reform, despite a 2016 legislative session that saw former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos get five years [...]

June 22, 2017. An article, featured in Lohud ,discussed Governor Cuomo's decision not to enact reforms for better transparency when allocating money for economic development programs. Groups called for changes such as a "Database of Deals" and the restoration of power to the state comptroller to review state contracts. The reforms were requested in response bid-rigging scandals. Legislative leaders and Cuomo failed to find a compromise on how to better review state contracts and job-creation programs amid the arrests last fall of Cuomo's former top [...]