Commentary/Op-Ed - July 2008
Opportunity CostsOur latest Off the CUF commentary criticizes City Hall for slashing the budget of a critical ESOL program at a time when immigrants make up a growing share of the city's workforce and there is a huge unmet need for English language instruction.
Testimony - June 2008
Are New York Schools Preparing Students for Work?In this testimony before a New York State Senate hearing, the Centers David Jason Fischer detailed the promise of high school career and technical education programs to guide New York students toward remunerative careers in high-demand fields.
Commentary/Op-Ed - June 2008
Trouble BrewingThis Off the CUF commentary by the co-founder of the Brooklyn Brewery details his firms unsuccessful four-year saga to find new space in the five boroughs and calls on policymakers to provide more support for small manufacturers in the face of gentrification, rezoning of industrial areas and rising real estate prices.
Commentary/Op-Ed - June 2008
Recipe For GrowthThis Off the CUF commentary urges city economic development officials to support the creation of additional kitchen incubators, which give food entrepreneurs something that's often impossible to find in New York: a licensed commercial kitchen at affordable rates.
Report - May 2008
Schools That WorkThis new report finds that New York City's long overlooked and under-funded career and technical education high schools might hold the key to improving citywide educational outcomes and ensuring a steady stream of skilled workers for local employers.
Report - May 2008
Getting in the GameThis report finds that the fast-growing video game industry represents a promising opportunity for New York City's economy, but the sector faces significant challenges and still lags well behind established gaming hubs like Seattle, Los Angeles and Montreal.
Report - March 2008
Affordable Housing Gaps in High Cost Urban AreasAs the nations housing and lending crisis began to unfurl in 2007, banking, government and housing experts convened for a groundbreaking conference sponsored by the Office of Thrift Supervision and Citi to discuss the future of affordable housing in NYC. This white paper details the ideas discussed.
Commentary/Op-Ed - February 2008
Q&A with Matthew Goldstein, chancellor of CUNYAs part of our series of Q&As with New York City innovators, entrepreneurs and policy experts, the Center's Jonathan Bowles interviews Matthew Goldstein about CUNY's recent accomplishments, the universitys role in the city's changing economy and Governor Spitzer's new higher education initiatives.
Commentary/Op-Ed - February 2008
Q&A with Cathie Mahon, head of the citys Office of Financial EmpowermentAs part of our series of Q&As with New York City innovators, entrepreneurs and policy experts, the Center's Jonathan Bowles interviews Cathie Mahon about Mayor Bloomberg's new anti-poverty initiatives and what her office is doing to help low income New Yorkers open banking accounts, build savings and avoid costly fees for basic financial transactions.
Commentary/Op-Ed - February 2008
Q&A with Blake Walters Foote, head of NYCs Workforce Investment BoardAs part of our series of Q&As with New York City innovators, entrepreneurs and policy experts, the Center's David Fischer sits down with Blake Walters Foote to discuss the WIBs priorities and the future of workforce development in New York.
Commentary/Op-Ed - February 2008
Something To Build OnThe Mayors Commission on Construction Opportunity has produced promising early results in bringing women and non-whites into the citys construction workforce. But will the changes prove lasting, or merely cosmetic?
Testimony - January 2008
Measuring the Success of Workforce Development ProgramsAppearing before a City Council hearing, CUF project director David Fischer testified that the problems of New Yorks workforce programs-grossly inadequate funding, statutory limitations and too-modest ambition-are properly laid on Washington, DC doorsteps.
Testimony - December 2007
Creating Greater Opportunities for Immigrant EntrepreneursIn this testimony before a City Council hearing prompted by the Center's "A World of Opportunity" report, CUF director Jonathan Bowles argues that policymakers and economic development officials must do more to support immigrant entrepreneurs, which are a growing but often neglected part of the city's economy.
Commentary/Op-Ed - December 2007
Immigrants Would Thrive With More English ClassesIn this op/ed for Newsday, the Center's Tara Colton argues that the growing unmet demand for English-language instruction could have dire economic consequences for Long Island.
Commentary/Op-Ed - November 2007
Recapturing Suburban ShoppersThis policy brief shows that ethnic retail strips from Jackson Heights to Richmond Hill are attracting hordes of suburban shoppersand having a big impact on the citys economy.
Report - November 2007
Still Lost in TranslationA new analysis shows that the enormous gap between demand for ESOL and the supply of available classes in New York State has gotten even worse over the past year.
Testimony - September 2007
It’s Time to Reinvent New York’s Street FairsIn this testimony before the City Council, associate research director Tara Colton argues that a significant overhaul of the citys street fair system is long overdue and the city should do more to involve local entrepreneurs and artists in the fairs.
Commentary/Op-Ed - September 2007
Too Few Jobs For YouthNew York City's Summer Youth Employment Program recently completed another successful summer--but, as CUF notes in this recent Gotham Gazette op-ed, it's still reaching too few of the city's teens.
Commentary/Op-Ed - August 2007
Libraries, An Invaluable Resource for ImmigrantsIn this op-ed for El Diario/La Prensa, CUF Director Jonathan Bowles argues that the restoration of six day a week service at the city's public libraries is a huge victory for immigrants, children, seniors and working adults.
Commentary/Op-Ed - August 2007
Engineering A Tech SectorThis Off the CUF essay argues that NYU's proposed merger with Polytechnic University could provide a critical spark to the city's long-frustrated efforts to establish a more robust high-tech sector.
