Empire Center

Empire Center

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Empire Center episodes

  • Episode 36: Prop 1 and Squatting

    In this episode of "Messages of Necessity", Kyle Davis, Director of Public Affairs at the Empire Center, and Cam MacDonald, Adjunct Fellow, delve into recent developments. They begin by dissecting the latest ruling on Proposition 1 and how the rule of law was upheld. Then, they explore Cam's blog on squatters' rights, discussing how the State may need to take a different action to resolve this problem.

    19 min
  • Episode 35: Budget Breakdown

    In this episode of Messages of Necessity, Ken Girardin and Bill Hammond dissect the latest NYS budget, focusing on healthcare, education, and budgetary trends. They offer valuable insights into the allocations and their implications for New Yorkers.

    36 min
  • Episode 34: Introducing Z

    In this episode of Messages of Necessity, Kyle Davis, Director of Public Affairs at the Empire Center, engages in a conversation with the organization's new Executive Director, Zilvinas Silenas (also known as Z). Together, they delve into Silenas's background and expertise, exploring how his unique experiences will propel the Empire Center and the Empire State forward to new heights.

    26 min
  • Episode 33: Pension Problems

    In this episode of "Messages of Necessity," Cam Macdonald and Ken Girardin dive into the contentious debate surrounding New York's public pensions. Unraveling myths and confronting harsh realities, they analyze the union's arguments for retroactively sweetening pensions and explore the implications of such actions, including the potential burden on taxpayers.

    19 min
  • Episode 32: Mesa Charter High

    In this episode of Messages of Necessity, Danyela Souza Egorov, Project Director of Parent PowerED NY, interviews Arthur Samuels, co-founder of MESA Charter High School. Since its establishment in 2013, MESA has boasted a remarkable 90% graduation rate, earning recognition as one of New York State's top charter high schools. Join us as we uncover the strategies and ethos behind MESA's success, straight from the co-founder himself.

    30 min
  • Episode 31: Green Guardrails

    Join Ken Girardin, Director of Research at the Empire Center, and Kyle Davis, Director of Public Affairs, as they explore the findings of Ken's latest report, "Green Guardrails".

    Discover the significant costs outlined in the report, with projections indicating New Yorkers could face expenses of $4.9 trillion by mid-century, offset by $4.3 trillion in "avoided" costs. Gain insights into the implications of these figures for residents, including the potential impact on the cost of living and the reliability of the electric grid.

    27 min
  • Episode 30: Hollywood Handouts

    In this episode of Messages of Necessity, Ken Girardin and E.J. McMahon from the Empire Center discuss New York's taxpayer-funded subsidies for film and television production. Together, they examine the findings of an independent study commissioned by the state Department of Taxation and Finance, providing a critical analysis of the economic impact of these subsidies.

    26 min
  • Episode 29: Cap & Invest

    In this episode of "Messages of Necessity," Adjunct Fellow Cam MacDonald and Research Director Ken Girardin delve into the increasingly important topic of Cap and Invest. They explore what aspects have been thoroughly examined and which details still lack clarity.

    17 min

About Empire Center

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The Empire Center for Public Policy, Inc. is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank based in Albany, New York.Our mission: Make New York a better place to live and work by promoting…