Empire Center Empire Center

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.