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 >>
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.
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 >>
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 >>
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.
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 [...]
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 >>
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 [...]
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.
June 11, 2008. Thirty percent of New Yorkers in working families can't cover basic needs with their wages. This report analyzes the effectiveness of "work support programs" (such as food stamps, Child Health Plus and the Earned Income Tax Credit) in bridging the hardship gap experienced by 5.7 million New Yorkers - that is, the gap between family wages and a basic family budget standard. Work supports make a difference, but more must be done. Press release, full report.
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 [...]
May 6, 2008. A report from the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University shows that the Bush administration bypassed Congress to issue a directive that will cut children's health insurance funding in New York - at a time when residents and taxpayers can ill afford it. Report co-released by FPI, New York Children's Action Network and Medicaid Matters New York. Press release >>
April 15, 2008. FPI examines the business tax treatment of "carried interest" earned by private equity fund and hedge fund managers, and finds that closing the carried interest loophole could raise $160-$225 million in new revenue for New York City - while leveling the playing field for New York businesses. Press release, full report.
April 9, 2008. New York has the dubious distinction of having the widest income gap between the rich and the poor of all 50 states, according to this report released by FPI in conjunction with a national study of income trends in the 50 states by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Economic Policy Institute. The report also shows that inequality in New York City is even more extreme than in the state as a whole. Also see Pulling Apart: A State-by-State Analysis [...]
March 31, 2008. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated forty years ago while in Memphis supporting the unionization of African American sanitation workers. To commemorate Dr. King's commitment to unionization, FPI and the Center for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) are releasing new data about unionization among blacks in the nation and in New York State. Press release and data tables (unionization rates and union membership by race, 50 states). Also see CEPR's Unions and Upward Mobility for African-American Workers.