Testimony

The NYC School Bus Workers’ Strike

February 8, 2013. One of New York City’s biggest challenges is providing a sufficient number of decent job opportunities to enable its citizens to provide for their families and offer hope of a better life for their children. The city’s pronounced income polarization is fundamentally rooted in the job market. Economic and labor market changes over the years have severely limited the availability of good jobs that provide reasonable health and retirement benefits. These changes, which threaten the survival of New York as a middle [...]

Fiscal Policy Institute2024-12-18T12:27:58-05:00February 8th, 2013|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Testimony|

The Applied Sciences NYC Initiative: FPI Testimony

September 28, 2012. In testimony submitted to the New York City Council Committees on Economic Development, Higher Education and Technology, James A. Parrott, FPI’s Deputy Director and Chief Economist, concluded that the “Applied Sciences NYC Initiative” represents an important step in diversifying the New York City economy. According to Parrott, this initiative, which includes the plan for the development by Cornell and Technion Universities of a new engineering campus on Roosevelt Island, as well as projects involving NYU and Columbia University, is “a conscious effort [...]

Fiscal Policy Institute2024-12-18T12:28:01-05:00September 28th, 2012|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Testimony|

The Consolidated Edison Lockout: FPI Testimony

July 25, 2012. Testimony presented to the New York Assembly Standing Committees on Labor, Energy and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions. In sum: Con Ed's lockout of its skilled workforce is unnecessarily putting the people of New York City and Westchester County at risk of serious electric, gas and steam outages. Con Ed's actions jeopardize the incomes of thousands of hourly-paid workers and the business activity and viability of small businesses throughout the regional economy. Given the slow recovery from the Great Recession of 2008-2009, we [...]

Fiscal Policy Institute2024-12-18T12:28:16-05:00July 25th, 2012|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Testimony|

Raising New York State’s Minimum Wage

April 23, 2012. Testimony presented to the New York Assembly Labor Committee by James A. Parrott. Ten reasons: (1) to restore the minimum wage's lost purchasing power, (2) to raise New York's wage floor, (3) to help low-income families. And because it (4) won't reduce employment, or (5) hurt taxpayers. But, it will (6) boost the economy (and jobs), (7) complement the EITC, and (8) reduce burgeoning income inequality. Increasing the minimum wage will (9) restore New York's leadership on progressive issues and (10) combat [...]

Fiscal Policy Institute2024-12-18T12:28:20-05:00April 23rd, 2012|Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Testimony|

Increasing New York State’s Minimum Wage

April 18, 2012. Testimony presented at the New York Senate Democratic Conference's public forum by Frank J. Mauro.

Fiscal Policy Institute2024-12-18T12:28:20-05:00April 18th, 2012|Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Testimony|

Testimony on the importance of libraries to integrating immigrants

April 16, 2012. Before a New York City Council hearing about the impact of Mayor Bloomberg's proposed budget cuts to libraries, FPI's David Dyssegaard Kallick stressed the important role libraries play in helping to integrate immigrants into the social and economic fabric of New York City. Testimony >>

Fiscal Policy Institute2024-12-18T12:28:20-05:00April 16th, 2012|Migration, Testimony|

Testimony on the 2012-2013 Executive Budget

February 6, 2012. Testimony presented by Frank Mauro, Executive Director of the Fiscal Policy Institute,to the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways & Means Committees' Public Hearing on the 2012-2013 Executive Budget.

Fiscal Policy Institute2024-12-18T12:28:21-05:00February 6th, 2012|City Budget, State Budget, Tax & Budget, Tax Policy, Testimony|

Testimony on “DREAM Act” Legislation

December 9, 2011. FPI's David Dyssegaard Kallick was invited to deliver testimony before a joint hearing convened by the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Governmental Operations and Standing Committee on Higher Education. He testified that going to college allows immigrants - even undocumented immigrants - to improve their employment opportunities, thereby boosting their contribution to the economy and to tax revenues. "Their success is also our success," Kallick noted.

Fiscal Policy Institute2024-12-18T12:28:22-05:00December 9th, 2011|Migration, Testimony|

Testimony on the Living Wage before the New York City Council Committee on Contracts

November 22, 2011. FPI's James A. Parrott delivered testimony detailing the following points: There is no evidence from other cities to show that living wage ordinances are harmful either for workers directly affected or for the broader local economies. The Charles River Study is seriously flawed in both its labor market and its real estate analyses, and should not be used to inform decisions on this issue. The City should return to the question of how its considerable economic development resources can be used to [...]

Fiscal Policy Institute2024-12-18T12:28:23-05:00November 22nd, 2011|Economic Trends & Policy, Labor Market & Workforce, Testimony|

NYC Labor Market Challenges Facing Older Workers

September 22, 2011. FPI's James A. Parrott delivered testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Aging detailing the following points: Unemployment for older workers has continued to increase during the past year and a half, despite the recovery. And many older workers who are still employed have seen their hours, and their weekly pay, reduced. For New York City workers ages 55-64, both unemployment and under-employment are sharply higher now than before the recession began, and higher than at the "trough" of the [...]

Fiscal Policy Institute2024-12-18T12:28:24-05:00September 22nd, 2011|Economic Outlook, Economic Trends & Policy, Testimony|

Testimony at the New York City Council Committee on Finance Hearing on the FY 2012 Executive Budget

June 6, 2011. FPI's James A. Parrott delivered testimony detailing the following points: Against the backdrop of an outlook for a very gradual and drawn-out recovery during which unemployment and economic adversity remain elevated, the Mayor's Executive Budget proposal contains several harmful budget cuts that will curtail vital services in many critical areas. The City needs a more balanced approach to closing large budget gaps; this approach should reduce outlays on contracting out and find ways to enhance revenues. Testimony >>

Fiscal Policy Institute2025-04-04T14:27:30-04:00June 6th, 2011|State Budget, Tax & Budget, Tax Policy, Testimony|

Short Term Property Tax Relief and Long Term Tax Reform: An Omnibus Approach

March 1, 2011. At the public hearing on the Governor's proposed "Cap on Real Property Taxes" before the Assembly Standing Committees on Ways and Means, Education, Real Property Taxation, Local Government and Cities, Frank Mauro, FPI's executive director, explained why a cap on real property taxes would not effectively protect those most in need of property tax relief, and would exacerbate inequities in the current school finance system. In the short run, a property tax circuit breaker would provide effective and targeted relief. Over time, [...]

Fiscal Policy Institute2025-04-04T14:27:31-04:00March 1st, 2011|City Budget, Must Read, Tax & Budget, Tax Policy, Testimony|