ALIGN

Testimony to the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Committees Budget Hearing on Economic Development From Nathalie Alegre, January 31, 2012 Good morning Sen.…

This report by Good Jobs First, a non-profit, non-partisan research center based in Washington, DC, analyzes the performance standards and enforcement policies of the states’ major economic development programs. The study shows that most states are highly inconsistent in how they monitor, verify and enforce the terms of job subsidies that cost taxpayers billions of dollars per year. New York State had one of the poorest track records, receiving a score of D+ and ranking 45th out of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia.

ALIGN joined with worker and community advocates to stand in solidarity with port truck drivers at Proud 2 Haul in Kearney, NJ.…

Regional Review: Job Creation and Industrial Development Agencies, examines the performance of Industrial Development Agencies, or IDAs, New York’s main job creation tool.…

This short report from ALIGN analyses the latest numbers and takes a borough-by-borough look at poverty and inequality.

This report by ALIGN’s Josh Kellermann and CUNY’s Stephanie Luce suggests that Walmart’s likely plans for expansion in NYC would dramatically shift the city’s entire retail landscape for the worse. In order to achieve its average 21% market share, Walmart would need to open 159 stores throughout all 5 boroughs, creating devastating effects for local small businesses, communities and workers.

Seizing the Moment: How Regional Economic Development Councils Can Build a Good Jobs Economy examines the current proposal to create Regional Economic Development Councils to serve as New York's flagship jobs program. The report argues that Regional Councils must transform the state’s economic development programs from wasteful corporate giveaways into coordinated and outcome-oriented job creation programs that deliver good jobs and broad community benefits.

What are Regional Economic Development Councils?

Governor Cuomo is proposing to create 10 Regional Economic Development Councils that award grants and subsidies on a competitive basis to spur private-sector investment and job creation. Despite being the flagship economic development initiative of his campaign, the Governor has consistently delayed release of any substantive details on the structure, power and scope of these new entities. They are to be created through executive order with appointments to the councils likely happening at the end of June 2011. Information on the councils can be gleaned from the state budget, Cuomo’s campaign pledges, government officials and newspaper articles.

Testimony for the New York City Council On the Subject of Walmart’s Labor Practices and its Negative Impact on Communities Provided by Matt Ryan Executive Director, New York Jobs with Justice Thursday, February 17, 2011 Good afternoon and thank you for inviting me to testify before the City Council. …

Members of the statewide Getting Our Money’s Worth coalition testified at a public hearing on Economic Development in the 2011-2012 Executive Budget. Matt Ryan, Executive Director of New York Jobs with Justice testified on the need for all of New York’s economic development initiatives to adopt high road performance standards, accountability standards and transparency reforms to ensure quality job creation is the primary outcome of our economic development structures.