Our new op-ed in the Albany Times Union makes the case that New York State should take the lead in developing the next generation of public benefits for the future workforce. Written by CUF Editorial and Policy Director Eli Dvorkin and Winston C. Fisher, partner at Fisher Brothers and co-chair of the New York City Regional Economic Development Council, the commentary lays out how the rise of independent work is bringing new sources of income and economic opportunity, but also new challenges (and new insecurities) to New York’s workforce. Without action, the op-ed argues, far too many of New York’s independent workers will continue to lack access to crucial benefits from workers’ compensation to retirement savings, putting themselves and their families at risk—and eroding the middle class.

You can read the op-ed here.

This op-ed is part of the Center for an Urban Future's Middle Class Jobs Project, and builds on the Center's extensive research on human capital and the challenge of generating middle-income jobs, including the recent policy forum Rethinking Public Benefits for the Future of Work.