Research

One of New York City’s largest public-sector unions has been effectively taken over by its national parent after an audit revealed extensive financial mismanagement. It’s the latest example of misconduct made possible under New York’s public-sector collective bargaining rules that force the government to collect hundreds of millions of dollars annually without any safeguards on how the funds are spent.  Read More

Nationwide test results revealing major pandemic learning loss have been front page news this month. Read More

The state's Essential Plan has generated billions in surpluses as the program automatically drew pandemic relief money that it did not need Read More

A few months into its third fiscal year since the pandemic’s start, New York City’s finances have never looked so flush — and so precarious. Read More

Two of Albany’s most-vetoed concepts are headed toward Governor Hochul’s desk, this time concealed as a “firefighter bill of rights.”  Read More

Over the past three years, the Empire State's recovery has been steady but slow, moving payrolls back to within three percentage points of the 2019 pre-pandemic level Read More

As Labor Day weekend arrives, another push by Albany legislators to hike the state minimum wage is gaining steam. Read More

In a bit of awkward timing, a severe heat wave is boosting electrical demand in California, causing the State to beg citizens to delay charging electric vehicles until after 9 p.m. Read More

The onboarding process has become a key battleground for the country’s government unions. Read More

Gov. Kathy Hochul, who hasn’t proven shy about issuing orders, had one for the state’s Republicans this week Read More

Private employment in New York State remained more than 300,000 jobs short of the pre-pandemic level Read More

Local government is a labor-intensive business, and employee compensation is the single biggest element of most municipal budgets. Read More