Press Releases

A new Empire Center report reveals that the New York Medicaid program now covers more individuals above the poverty line than below it. The government-financed health plan has traditionally focused on the indigent and disabled. Buts its rolls have recently surged to 7.2 million—more than one-third of the state’s population— despite a decline in New York’s poverty rate.  Read More

With the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) back in the spotlight, the Empire Center for Public Policy is releasing its own proposal for ethics reform, centered on fixing the structural problems of the Commission and increasing accountability. Read More

Two New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) plumbers and an electrician each collected over $200,000 in overtime during New York City’s 2021 fiscal year Read More

An ambitious 2019 climate change law adopted by the Legislature could cost as much as $510 billion while yielding benefits worth several hundred million less Read More

A total of $104 million in grant awards was steered to 305 local projects between April and October by DASNY Read More

The Empire Center for Public Policy today released a slate of policy recommendations that would make New York State a better place to live and work.   Read More

New York governments at all levels owe a combined $359.7 billion in debt to pay retired public employees health benefits, according to a new Empire Center report. Read More

18% of all public-school teachers and administrators employed by school districts outside New York City were paid over $100,000 last year Read More

Full career police and firemen (those serving 20 or more years) enrolled in New York’s Police and Fire Retirement System (PRFRS) who became eligible to start receiving a pension during 2020 are eligible for an average award of $86,852 annually.  Read More

The Cuomo administration left out many people who died without a test during the early weeks of the pandemic Read More

As an organization committed to openness in government, we welcome your commitment to leading a fully transparent administration Read More

2020 payroll data for a total of 79,146 employees at 331 different New York State public authorities is now posted at SeeThroughNY.net, the Empire Center’s transparency website. Read More