State and Local Governments Lose ----  in Employment  

While the private sector has added a modest number of jobs over the last 17 months, state and local governments have shed positions for 29 months now, according to data released July 22. The decline in education jobs is greater than in any recent recession, with public-school employment now at 2006 levels. Read the Data Alert. 

States Gain, Part 1 ----  in Tax Collections. But Locals Lose        

States Gain, Part 2 ----  in Gambling Revenues    

State and local governments' revenues from gambling increased
2 percent in fiscal year 2010, following an unprecedented dip, according to an Institute report released in June. Pennsylvania accounted for nearly half the nationwide growth in 2010. Read the news release or the report (PDF). 

SUNY's Role in a Stronger N.Y. Economy

A comprehensive study by the Rockefeller Institute and the University at Buffalo Regional Institute finds the State University of New York is positioned to be the critical force in building an innovation economy for New York. SUNY's students, alumni and employees number 2.1 million statewide. It has a diverse array of economic development activities already in place ----  and a growing potential. Read the news release or the report (PDF), and see "Public Policy Events," below, for more.  

Nancy Zimpher

SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher introduced the report, How SUNY Matters: Economic Impacts of the State University of New York (see Latest Research, above) and described how it relates to SUNY's strategic plan. University at Buffalo Regional Institute Director Kathryn Foster and Rockefeller Institute Director Thomas Gais reviewed findings. Access video, left.

The Budget Outlook for 2011, 2012 and Beyond

New York's adopted budget for this year restructures "the basic

landscape" of the state's fiscal future, Budget Director Robert L. Megna told a May 26 forum. At the same time, Megna said, success of the plan depends on key elements ----  including a cap on Medicaid spending ----  that pose lingering challenges. The forum also included discussion among Mr. Megna, Rockefeller Institute Senior Fellow Donald Boyd and Institute Deputy Director Robert Ward. Access video, audio and a summary here.

Expanding Public Health Insurance 

This lively, interactive forum focused on how several states are expanding public health coverage, using individual mandates, public options and single-payer plans. The forum kicked off with presentations from speakers representing states neighboring New York, and continued with response from New York officials and stakeholders. Access audio and video here.    

James Follain

Lessons from the Housing Bust     

James R. Follain, a senior fellow at the Institute, and Seth R. Giertz, of the University of Nebraska, have analyzed data from the recent housing bust in two studies. One, in the Journal of Housing Economics, assesses the stress test used to determine the fiscal strength of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, saying it came up short in the period leading up to the Great Recession. The other, published by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, looks at the possibility of forecasting future housing price bubbles.  

Higher Ed is Key to Innovation Economy  

Institute experts published op-ed pieces examining higher education's critical role in creating an innovation economy throughout New York. Institute Director Thomas Gais joined Kathryn Foster of the University at Buffalo Regional Institute in penning "Education gives innovation a lift" for Newsday. Gais also wrote "A Tutorial in Innovation" for the Albany Times Union. David Wright, director of urban and metropolitan studies, wrote "How SUNY Helps New York's Economy" for Crain's New York Business.  

Governor Cuomo's Historic Trifecta

New York's freshman governor delivered three policy changes in his first legislative session that are likely to have long-lasting effects, Institute Deputy Director Robert Ward wrote in this commentary on the Institute Web site; an earlier version appeared in the New York Post. The governor's legislative achievements with gay marriage, a property tax cap and sharp reduction of a structural budget gap represent restoration of a powerful chief executive's office in Albany, Ward says.  

Medicaid Helps ----  in Oregon Anyway     

Groundbreaking research out of Oregon shows extremely positive results for poor people enrolled in Medicaid compared to those who are not covered by the government health insurance program. Yet as Senior Fellow James Fossett notes in this commentary, it's not easy to generalize from one state Medicaid program to another.

Donald Boyd

Volcker-Ravitch Task Force Directed by Boyd

Donald Boyd, a senior fellow at the Institute, will serve as executive director of the Task Force on the State Budget Crisis, created by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker and former New York Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch. The Task Force was established to improve understanding of the fiscal challenges facing states. Read the news release. 

Reuters: "Economic woes threaten states' revenues: report"  

Reuters covered the release of the Institute's latest report on state revenues. The story quotes report author Lucy Dadayan, who notes that weak economic conditions threaten to stall recent gains for states. Read the story (PDF).

Marketplace: "California's New Budget Deal"  

The national radio broadcast from American Public Media featured an interview with Robert Ward, the Institute's deputy director, about a proposed budget deal in California. Read the transcript (PDF).  

Financial 411, WNYC: "SUNY's Impact on New York Economy"  

The New York Times: "For States, A Glimmer of Hope" 

This story cautioned against declaring states' fiscal crises to be over, despite long-awaited announcements of good budget news. Donald Boyd, a senior fellow at the Institute, was quoted, saying states are not out of the woods yet. Read the story.