Empire Center

05/20/2026

Even the district with the lowest spending at $24,000 exceed what most U.S. states spend per student. More than half of the New York school districts will spend over $37,000 – easily outspending every other state and country. Finally, 67 districts plan to exceed $50,000 per student – basically, a private-boarding-school-in-Europe type of money.

New York has built an education system that spends at elite levels, staffs at near private-college ratios, and pays accordingly—yet when it comes to achievement, we are behind Mississippi and on par with Alabama.

Even the district with the lowest spending at $24,000 exceed what most U.S. states spend per student. More than half of the New York school districts will spend over $37,000 – easily outspending every other state and country. Finally, 67 districts plan to exceed $50,000 per student – basically, a private-boarding-school-in-Europe type of money.

As voters across New York head to the polls to decide their local school budgets, the big question – why....

05/18/2026

LIRR workers average about $160,000 with overtime, and some make $300,000+. Many riders or LIRR earn far less. If everyone in New York making below $160,000 walked off the job, the state would be paralyzed.

05/14/2026

NY corrections officers earning $500,000. Guess who’s paying? Taxpayers.

04/21/2026

28¢ vs 17¢. That's an extra $1,122 a year New York "premium" just for electricity

04/17/2026

New Yorkers may soon face $6-a-gallon gasoline if Albany layers new climate-program costs on top of today’s prices.

03/05/2026

Something is not right with New York's energy policy

03/04/2026

New York has the 6th highest electricity prices in the U.S. — and they’re rising 4x faster than inflation.

01/13/2026

Here is our take on Governor Hochul’s State of the State.

🩹 HEALTHCARE. The governor had disappointingly little to say about New York’s dysfunctional health care system, which features some of the highest costs and lowest quality ratings in the U.S. Failing to put forward a strong reform agenda is a recipe for more of the same: soaring Medicaid expenses, sky-high insurance premiums and substandard care. The governor appointed a Commission on the Future of Health Care more than two years ago. It’s high time for that commission’s report to see the light of day.”

📈 TAXES. Governor Hochul’s promise to hold the line against tax hikes is crucial to restoring New York as a vibrant place to live, work and raise a family. If the state’s leaders truly care about affordability, they should be cutting taxes, not raising them.”

⚡ ENERGY. Instead of addressing the flaws in New York’s energy policy, Hochul is choosing to vilify utilities, pressure the state’s independent regulator, and use taxpayer money to hide the fact that New Yorkers pay some of the highest electricity prices in the country.

📚 EDUCATION. The uncomfortable truth is that New York lags behind Mississippi and Alabama in achievement while leading the world in spending. Yes to better teaching and better teachers, but without addressing the root causes of New York’s underperformance, things will not improve.”

🔨 ON RED TAPE. Governor Hochul hit a couple of right notes on New York’s burdensome regulatory environment. She promised to address the state’s environmental review process, SEQRA, and the delays and abuses its process causes for the types of development needed to make New York more affordable. And she committed to reviewing and reducing the red tape New Yorkers face starting businesses and living their everyday lives. Fixes to both could make New York a better place to live and work, but both will require a sustained effort from the Governor. So we will wait and see.

12/21/2025

Banks are accused of inflating interest owed during foreclosure auctions. Critics say the process lacks transparency and is difficult for homeowners to navigate.
https://bit.ly/4iv4KKM

An investigation by Gothamist and New York Focus found lenders are using a disputed method of calculating debts in thousands of foreclosures and taking money from hundreds of former homeowners.

12/21/2025

Governor Hochul has pledged transparency, but her record tells a different story. A series of vetoes blocked measures that would have expanded oversight and disclosure.

Governor Kathy Hochul made news this fall when she used her legislative veto power in a way that looked personal.....