New York’s public-sector collective bargaining law, the Taylor Law, is unique in that it’s the only law that people risk breaking by discussing it. The Empire Center launched “Dues and Don’ts” to help public employers fulfill their obligation to educate employees about their rights without fear of improper practice charges under the Taylor Law. Visit the Dues & Don'ts website to learn more. Read More
In a turnabout from recent trends, downstate New York’s population decreased twice as fast as upstate’s last year, according to the latest Census Bureau annual estimates. Read More
Over the past seven years, New York’s cap on local property tax levies has generated billions of dollars in savings for homeowners and businesses, compared to previous trends. The cap has been especially effective in restraining school property taxes, which have long been the largest and fastest-growing component of New York’s tax burden. Read More
New York’s hospitals are in the throes of two seemingly contradictory trends. Their collective revenues are showing strong growth, yet more and more of them are chronically operating in the red. Read More
The costs and risks of a state-run single-payer health-care program would be much greater, and the benefits much smaller, than its proponents claim. Read More
New York continues to lead the nation when it comes to net outflow of residents to other states. Read More
Analyzing the impact of single-payer health care on New York's hospitals Read More
Compare the taxes, spending and debt of local governments across New York State. Read More
There has been a sharp and growing economic divide between upstate and downstate. Read More
Unearthed videos of 1982 Cuomo-Lehrman debates: An example of how much (and, in some ways, how little) has changed in NY politics over the intervening decades. Read More
When public schools across the Empire State open their doors for 2018-19, pupil enrollment will be at its lowest level in nearly 30 years. Read More
Local government is a labor-intensive business, and employee compensation is the single biggest element of most municipal budgets. Read More