Testimony - April 2012
The Economic Impact of NYC’s LibrariesAt a City Council hearing on the city's proposed $100 million budget cut to public libraries, CUF's David Giles testified on the growing importance of branch libraries as community centers. At a time when the city faces enormous human capital challenges, more and more New Yorkers depend on the public libraries for job information, resume writing help, adult literacy, English language classes and other key services.
Testimony - December 2010
Closing the College Achievement GapAt a December 14th New York State Assembly hearing on strengthening student success in higher education, CUF Senior Fellow Thomas Hilliard testified that policymakers should make student success a top state priority and restructure the way New York governs and finances its community colleges.
Testimony - October 2009
Translating New York’s Science and Technology Assets Into Economic ActivityAt an October 9th hearing held by the Governors Task Force on Diversifying the New York State Economy through Industry-Higher Education Partnerships, CUFs Jonathan Bowles testified about how to make New Yorks pre-eminent scientific research institutions engines of entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Testimony - June 2009
Using Workforce Development As A Tool to Diversify the EconomyAt a June 23 New York City Council hearing on how workforce development can help diversify the local economy, CUF project director David Jason Fischer testified that officials must force alignment between job training programs and the city's economic development objectives and investments.
Testimony - October 2008
The Road to Reforming CTEAt a recent City Council oversight hearing, CUF project director David Jason Fischer called upon city officials to add more detail and specificity to plans for remaking career and technical education in New York City.
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.
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.
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.
Testimony - May 2007
Meeting Demand for ESOL in NYCIn this testimony before a City Council hearing prompted by the Center's 2006 report, "Lost in Translation," associate research director Tara Colton lays out steps the city can take to address the enormous unmet demand for ESOL classes.
Testimony - February 2007
In Working OrderAt a City Council hearing on the state of NYC's workforce development system, CUF Project Director David Fischer testified that the Bloomberg administration has made great strides but needs more resources and a broader vision.
Testimony - September 2006
From Disconnected to Career-DirectedAt the NYC Workforce Investment Board meeting on Sept. 13, CUF Project Director David Fischer made this presentation on aging worker replacement and career opportunities for disconnected youth in several vital sectors of the city's economy.
Testimony - June 2006
A New Workforce for New York: How the City Can Replace Thousands of Retiring Baby BoomersAt a City Council hearing prompted by the Center's May 2006 report, "Chance of a Lifetime," project director David Jason Fischer testified about what the city must do to prepare at-risk young New Yorkers for the world of work, and the value of a youth-focused workforce intermediary to rationalize and coordinate these efforts.
Testimony - April 2006
Immigrant Entrepreneurs’ Role in the Growth of Staten Island’s EconomyCUF director Jonathan Bowles argues that immigrant entrepreneurs could be a significant catalyst for economic growth on Staten Island in this speech, which he delivered on April 25 at the Staten Island Conference, sponsored by SIEDC.
Testimony - April 2006
The Limits of WIAIn testimony before a New York City Council hearing on April 11, CUF project director David Jason Fischer articulated how the severely limited funding and onerous legislative restrictions of the federal Workforce Investment Act have impaired efforts to serve New York City employers and jobseekers.
Testimony - April 2006
Beyond the Construction CommissionCUF Project Director David Jason Fischer testified at an April 4 City Council hearing on the work of the Mayor's Commission on Construction Opportunity, citing the Commission as a model for attaching young New Yorkers to career-track jobs in other key city industries.
Testimony - December 2005
New York State’s Welfare-to-Work ProgramsIn this written testimony submitted for a Dec. 15 hearing of the New York State Assembly's Social Services Committee, CUF Project Director David Fischer assesses an important recent shift in state welfare-to-work programs.
Testimony - October 2005
A Workforce Vision for Continuing EducationCUF project director David Fischer recently spoke to the Continuing Education Association of New York about the increasing convergence of continuing ed programs within colleges and universities, and publicly funded and run workforce development systems.
Testimony - September 2005
Poverty in New York City, 2005CUF Project Director David Fischer testified at a Nov. 15 City Council hearing on the rising poverty rate in New York, focusing on the city's increasing "working poor problem."
Testimony - June 2005
Testimony: Giving Small Firms the BusinessIn this testimony before the City Council, CUF research director Jonathan Bowles argues that the proposal to redevelop the Bronx Terminal market is one of many city-sponsored projects in which a significant number of small businesses are being displaced.