Press Releases

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 [...]

2020-11-13T14:50:35-05:00May 15th, 2008|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Press Releases|
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Fed Directive Threatens to Cut Funds for New York Children’s Health Coverag

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 >>

2020-11-13T15:06:55-05:00May 6th, 2008|Healthcare, Press Releases, Social Policy, Tax & Budget|
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City Could Raise Revenues and Level Playing Field for Business

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.

2020-11-13T14:48:32-05:00April 15th, 2008|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Press Releases, Reports, Briefs and Presentations, Tax & Budget, Tax Policy|
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Pulling Apart: Gap Between New York’s Wealthy and Poor Is Still the Widest in the Nation

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 [...]

2020-11-13T14:28:01-05:00April 9th, 2008|Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Press Releases, Reports, Briefs and Presentations|
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Honoring Dr. King’s Commitment to Unions

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.

2020-11-13T14:50:35-05:00March 31st, 2008|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Press Releases|
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Building Up New York, Tearing Down Job Quality: Taxpayer Impact of Worsening Employment Practices in the New York City Construction Industry

December 5, 2007. In this report FPI finds that construction of affordable housing in NYC is tainted by sub-standard jobs. There is a huge underground economy with rampant employment abuse and tax non-compliance. Workers, taxpayers and honest employers pay the price - $489 million in 2005 and are likely to reach $557 million in 2008 - as construction employment practices deteriorate in New York City. And 50,000 construction workers (one in four) are employed off the books or as so-called independent contractors - at substantial [...]

2020-11-13T14:48:33-05:00December 5th, 2007|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Press Releases, Reports, Briefs and Presentations|
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State of Working New York 2007: Encouraging Recent Gains, but Troubling Long-Term Trends

September 1, 2007. Upstate regions gain jobs, led by the Buffalo metro area. Four years into an economic expansion, New Yorkers finally got a slight raise last year, according to this year's edition of The State of Working New York. In particular, the troubled upstate economy has experienced encouraging payroll growth, with Buffalo leading the way. But overall, these modest gains stand out against a backdrop of worrisome long-term trends. For example: workers aren't seeing wage increases commensurate with their productivity; New Yorkers living in [...]

2020-11-13T14:41:16-05:00September 27th, 2007|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Press Releases, Reports, Briefs and Presentations|
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Statement from Frank Mauro on the New Poverty Data Released Today by the United States Census Bureau

August 28, 2007. Worrisome trends: New York continues to have the highest poverty rate of all of the northeastern and northern industrial states. The poverty rates in New York's major upstate cities are incredibly high. Median household income is flat. Press release with statement >>

2020-11-13T14:28:01-05:00August 28th, 2007|Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Press Releases|
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The Fight over Federal Appropriations: Impact on New York State

July 17, 2007. Today FPI released a new report and joined more than 30 children's, hunger, religious, social service and other advocacy organizations in calling on Congress to stand with New York families. The groups urged the state's representatives to resist pressure from the administration to cut funding for education, child care, worker training and similar programs. FPI's report, an issue of Fiscal Policy Note$, takes a look at the struggle in Congress over domestic discretionary spending, and finds that the modest increases under consideration [...]

2012-03-15T21:18:24-04:00July 17th, 2007|Press Releases, Reports, Briefs and Presentations, Tax & Budget|
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New York needs a Statewide Commission on Economic Security and Poverty

June 14, 2007. FPI joined the New York State Community Action Association (NYSCAA) and New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness in calling on Governor Spitzer and the New York State Legislature to establish a commission on economic security to advise policymakers on how to help low income families get ahead. Over 100 organizations from around the state joined in the request. Group press release >>

2020-11-13T14:28:02-05:00June 14th, 2007|Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Press Releases, Social Policy|
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Food Stamp Challenge: Live on a Food Stamp Budget for a Day

May 10, 2007. As Congress prepares to reauthorize the Farm Bill that includes the Food Stamp program, America's first line of defense against hunger and food insecurity, walk in the shoes of the less fortunate. Try the "Food Stamp Diet" and pledge to live on the food stamp budget ($1.16 per person per meal) for a day. Pledge and background information >>

2020-11-13T15:12:44-05:00May 7th, 2007|Press Releases, Social Policy|
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Pre-K Investment Yields Bonuses for Children, Families, Communities and State and Federal Government

May 3, 2007. A new study from the Economic Policy Institute, Enriching Children, Enriching the Nation, was co-released in New York by FPI and Winning Beginning New York. The question asked is whether pre-K pays for itself - and the answer is remarkable. Pre-K pays for itself not once, not twice, but 12 times over! New York press release >>

2020-11-13T15:04:35-05:00May 3rd, 2007|Blog, Education, Press Releases, Social Policy|
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The Underground Economy in New York City’s Affordable Housing Construction Industry

April 15, 2007. This examination of  the affordable housing construction industry reveals evidence of a huge underground economy in which thousands of workers are paid off the books or misclassified as independent contractors. The results include widespread employer evasion of payroll taxes and social insurance premiums, and the undercutting of wage and benefit standards. Press release Report A series of stories in the Daily News describing the human side of FPI's report, starting with Danger and ripoffs are on the rise A follow up story on Mayor Bloomberg's reaction: We'll [...]

2020-11-13T14:48:33-05:00April 15th, 2007|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Press Releases, Reports, Briefs and Presentations|
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