Non-profit

Fiscal Policy Institute

Website:

fiscalpolicy.org/

Location:

LATHAM, NY

Tax ID:

14-1737256

Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2017):

Revenue: $740,209
Expenses: $730,571
Assets: $443,545

Formation:

1991

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

Not to be confused with DC Fiscal Policy Institute, a division of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities focusing on the District of Columbia.

The Fiscal Policy Institute (FPI) is a labor union-supported think tank based near Albany, New York that advocates pro-labor union and other left-of-center policies in New York State. FPI is affiliated with two national networks of liberal state-level organizations: the State Priorities Partnership, coordinated by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and the Economic Analysis and Research Network, coordinated by the Economic Policy Institute. 1

FPI was founded in 1991. It has $845,083 in annual operations and employs nine people. 2

The majority of FPI’s Board of Directors and senior staff have direct ties with labor unions, and FPI is frequently described by mainstream media as a “labor-backed think tank.” 3 4 FPI distributes research studies that support the labor union agenda, advocates for increased taxes5 and spending,6 and promotes expanded immigration. 7

Funders

Fiscal Policy Institute is funded by liberal institutional foundations and labor unions. The Ford Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Hagedorn Foundation, and the Carnegie Corporation of New York have all funded FPI. 8 Labor unions that have supported FPI include 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, AFSCME, the United Federation of Teachers, New York State United Teachers, Communications Workers of America, and RWDSU. 9

FPI receives funding from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), a left-wing think tank that organizes the State Priorities Partnership of which FPI is a member. 10

Initiatives

Taxes

FPI advocates increasing many state taxes despite New York having the highest state tax burden in the nation. 11 FPI advocates extending and increasing the income tax on higher-income New York taxpayers. 12

A recent decline in New York City’s real estate market has been attributed to increases in the state’s real estate transfer tax and a new “mansion tax” imposed in July, 2019. 13  FPI supported those tax increases14 and advocates an additional tax on higher-end residential property used as secondary homes. 15

The State of New York caps annual increases in citizens’ property taxes to two percent. FPI supports elimination of the cap. 16

State Spending

FPI issues reports, media statements, and engages in activism supporting increased social program spending1718 and higher state education spending. 19

Union Interests

FPI supports laws that favor unions, such as a 2019 law regulating farm worker hours and facilitating farm unionization. 20

FPI supports a proposed law to mandate higher labor costs on construction projects. Current New York State law requires higher union-level wages on government construction projects, but the proposed law would extend that mandate to almost any project that receives any form of government assistance. 21

FPI supports increasing the state minimum wage, and reportedly received funding from the Mario Cuomo Campaign for Economic Justice associated with Governor Andrew Coumo (D-NY) to advocate for higher mandated wages. 22

Immigration

FPI is very active on immigration issues, recently supporting a law requiring New York State to provide drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. 23

FPI advocates increasing state spending by 125% for the New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees Program that provides assistance to recent immigrants. 24

FPI supports expanding taxpayer-paid health care programs to cover a greater number of illegal immigrants. 25

Board of Directors

Kate Breslin chairs the board. 26 She is president and CEO of the left-of-center Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy. Breslin was a former appointee of Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo (D). 27 In 2001, Breslin directed the labor union-funded California Budget Project (now the California Budget and Policy Center) 28 which provided research and messaging assistance to aid the advocacy efforts of left-wing organizations in California. 29

Vice Chair Brian McDonnell is the political and legislative director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) of New York, a large government worker union. 31

Treasurer Jean Ross is a senior program officer for the left-of-center Spitzer Foundation Charitable Trust. Previously, Ross worked for the Service Employees International Union and as executive director of the labor union-funded California Budget Project. 32 33

Secretary Sybil McPherson is an attorney and assistant director of state legislation for AFSCME District Council 37, the largest public employee union in New York City. 34 35 McPherson contributed financially to the presidential campaigns of Democratic Party candidates Al Gore and John Kerry. 36

Mike Burgess is a consultant for the senior interest group ‘Generations of New York’ and former director of the New York State Office of the Aging, appointed by former Governor of New York Eliot Spitzer (D). 37 38

Debipriya Chatterjee, PhD is a senior Economist for the Community Service Society of New York, a community-based nonprofit organization focused on poverty relief in the New York State area. 39 40 41 Prior to CSS, she served as a Senior Research Associate with the Poverty Research Unit in the New York City Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity (also known as NYC Opportunity), a NYC-based agency part of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Operations focused on reducing poverty and its social conditions. 42 43

Nancy Rankin is vice president for policy, research and advocacy for the Community Service Society of New York44 and a vocal advocate for increasing state taxes. 45 46

Peter Savage is the deputy director of legislation for the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), a left-of-center labor union affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association. 47 48 49

Fran Turner is the director of legislative and political action for the Civil Service Employees Association, a government worker union. 50 51 The union has reportedly donated more than $400,000 to New York state politicians since 2018. 52 Turner is a vocal supporter of rules that block government employees from being provided information about their legal right to not join the union. 53

Elie Ward Is the director of policy and advocacy for the American Academy of Pediatrics. 54 55 Ward is a vocal advocate for restricting e-cigarettes,56 banning tobacco sales at pharmacies,57 banning “conversion therapy,”58 banning appealing dishwasher soap packaging,59 mandating strict gun storage regulations,60 mandating furniture be more difficult to tip over,61 increasing taxes on beer and other alcoholic beverages,62 and substantially increasing taxes on soda. 63

Kay Alison Wilkie is the Secretary-Treasurer for the New York State Public Employees Federation, a worker union representing over 50,000 “Professional, Scientific, and Technical” employees in New York State. 64 65 66

Senior Staff

Jonas J.N Shaende, PhD is the Chief Economist for the Fiscal Policy Institute. 67 Previously, Dr. Shaende served as director of data analysis and strategic planning at the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs as well as a research scientist at the NYC Department of Finance, Tax Policy Division. In addition, he has taught undergraduate and graduate economics at Long Island University as well as both graduate and advanced economics at CUNY and SUNY colleges. 68

Bren Kramer, PhD is a part-time senior economist with the Fiscal Policy Institute. Previously, he worked as a technician at Verizon and received his doctorate in economics at the City University of New York Graduate Center in 2008. 69

References

  1. Fiscal Policy Institute. “About FPI”. Accessed October 5, 2019.  http://fiscalpolicy.org/about-fpi
  2. Guidestar. IRS 990. Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. 2016. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2016/141/737/2016-141737256-0eb7f016-9.pdf
  3. Slattery, Denis. “New York will dedicated $40 million to 2020 Census outreach in state budget”. New York Daily News. March 27, 2019. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-census-budget-albany-20190327-w5hwhkxgqbg3xffp6j77sjsgb4-story.html
  4. Campbell, Jon. “New York Assembly green lights driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants”. Democrat & Chronicle. June 13, 2019. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/politics/albany/2019/06/12/new-york-assembly-green-lights-drivers-licenses-undocumented-immigrants/1433936001/
  5. Fiscal Policy Institute. “NYS Taxes”. Accessed October 5, 2019. http://fiscalpolicy.org/category/topics/tax-budget/sub-topics-tax-budget/nys-taxes
  6. Fiscal Policy Institute. “NYC Budget”. Accessed October 5, 2019. http://fiscalpolicy.org/category/topics/tax-budget/sub-topics-tax-budget/nyc-budget
  7. Fiscal Policy Institute. “Immigration”. Accessed October 5, 2019. http://fiscalpolicy.org/category/topics/immigration
  8. Data compiled by FoundationSearch.com subscription service, a project of Metasoft Systems, Inc., from forms filed with the IRS. Queries conducted October 8, 2019.
  9. Data compiled by Department of Labor Office of Labor Management Standards from Annual Reports filed by labor organizations. Queries conducted October 8, 2019.
  10. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2017, Schedule I
  11. Stebbins, Samuel. “Where you’ll pay the most – and least – on state and local taxes in the US”. USA Today. March 5, 2019. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2019/03/05/taxes-2019-where-income-sales-and-property-tax-highest-us/39124869/
  12. McDonough, Annie. “The ‘millionaire’s tax’ may become permanent. Here’s what that means”. City & State New York. November 27, 2018. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/policy/policy/what-millionaires-tax-means.html
  13. Kika, Thomas. “New York Real Estate Market Tumbles In Third Quarter After Mansion Tax Hike”. International Business Times. October 2, 2019. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.ibtimes.com/new-york-real-estate-market-tumbles-third-quarter-after-mansion-tax-hike-2838542
  14. Lewis, Rebecca C. “Transferring to a real estate transfer tax”. City & State New York. March 28, 2019. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/policy/policy/new-real-estate-transfer-tax-2019.html
  15. Yale, Aly J. “The Pied-a-Terre Tax Is Making A Comeback. Is The Third Time The Charm?”. Forbes. September 12, 2019. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alyyale/2019/09/12/the-pied-a-terre-tax-is-making-a-comeback-is-the-third-time-the-charm/#75bf04ed4585
  16. Charles, J. Brian. “The Downsides of Property Tax Caps”. Governing. July 26, 2018. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.governing.com/topics/finance/gov-cbpp-report-property-tax-cap.html
  17. Fiscal Policy Institute. “Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2020. New York’s Pathway to Shared Prosperity,

    Human Services Housing and Health”. Accessed October 5, 2019.  http://fiscalpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Human-Services-Housing-and-Health.pdf

  18. Vielkind, Jimmy. “Progressives unspool counter-programming to Cuomo’s speech”. Politico. January 2, 2018. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2018/01/02/progressives-unspool-counter-programming-to-cuomos-speech-165633
  19. Fiscal Policy Institute. “Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2020, New York’s Pathway to Shared Prosperity, Education”. Accessed October 5, 2019. http://fiscalpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Education.pdf
  20. Arnold, Chad. “Farmworkers are getting these new rights in New York”. Democrat & Chronicle. July 17, 2019. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/politics/albany/2019/07/17/farmworkers-getting-these-new-rights-new-york/1754407001/
  21. Williams, Zach. “What’s pushing prevailing wage into the ‘Big Ugly’”. City & State New York. June 11, 2019. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/policy/labor/whats-pushing-prevailing-wage-into-the-big-ugly.html
  22. DeWitt, Karen. “Potential framework deal on NY minimum wage decried by supporters and opponents”. NCPR. March 25, 2016. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/31392/20160325/potential-framework-deal-on-ny-minimum-wage-decried-by-supporters-and-opponents
  23. Coronado, Acacia. “New York Bill Would Grant Undocumented Immigrants Driver’s Licenses”. The Wall Street Journal. June 16, 2019. Accessed October 5, 2019.  https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-bill-would-grant-undocumented-immigrants-drivers-licenses-11560603600
  24. Fiscal Policy Institute. “$4.5 Million for a Unique NYS Program Would Help Refugees and Grow Communities”. February 22, 2019. Accessed October 5, 2019. http://fiscalpolicy.org/nysesrp
  25. Fiscal Policy Institute. “Continuing New York’s Legacy of Providing Health Care Coverage to Immigrants”. February 9, 2018. Accessed October 5, 2019. http://fiscalpolicy.org/continuing-new-yorks-legacy-of-providing-health-care-coverage-to-immigrants
  26. “Board.” Fiscal Policy Institute, Accessed March 7, 2022. https://fiscalpolicy.org/board.
  27. Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy. “Meet Our Team”. Accessed October 5, 2019.  https://www.scaany.org/staff/
  28. California Budget Project. “Losing Ground: Declining Medical Enrollment After Welfare Reform”. October, 2001. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://calbudgetcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/r0110med.pdf
  29. California Budget and Policy Center, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2015, Part VI Facts and Circumstances Test. Accessed December 4, 2017. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/680346784
  30. AFSCME. “Testimony of Brian McDonnell (AFSME) and Ron Walsh (Council 82) before the Assembly Committee on Health and the Assembly Committee on Correction October 30, 2017 “Accessed October 5, 2019. http://www.council82.org/uploads/PDF/1509389293_AFSCME&C82Testimony.pdf[/note] 30 “Board.” Fiscal Policy Institute, Accessed March 7, 2022. https://fiscalpolicy.org/board.
  31. Philanthropy New York. “Jean Ross Has Joined the Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust As Senior Program Officer “. April 22, 2019. Accessed October 6, 2019. “https://philanthropynewyork.org/news/jean-ross-has-joined-bernard-and-anne-spitzer-charitable-trust-senior-program-officer
  32. “Board.” Fiscal Policy Institute, Accessed March 7, 2022. https://fiscalpolicy.org/board.
  33. 911 Health Watch. “Sybil McPherson”. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.911healthwatch.org/about/sybil-mcpherson/
  34. “Board.” Fiscal Policy Institute, Accessed March 7, 2022. https://fiscalpolicy.org/board.
  35. OpenSecrets.org. Donor lookup. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Sybil+McPherson
  36. Arbetter, Susan. “A fond farewell to Michael Burgess of the NYS Office of the Aging”. Times Union. October 25, 2010. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://blog.timesunion.com/arbetter/a-fond-farewell-to-michael-burgess-of-the-nys-office-of-the-aging/1612/
  37. “Board.” Fiscal Policy Institute, Accessed March 7, 2022. https://fiscalpolicy.org/board.
  38. “Board.” Fiscal Policy Institute, Accessed March 7, 2022. https://fiscalpolicy.org/board.
  39. “Debipriya Chatterjee.” Community Service Society of New York. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://www.cssny.org/staff/entry/debipriya-chatterjee.
  40. “Our History.” Community Service Society of New York. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://www.cssny.org/pages/our-history.
  41. “Debipriya Chatterjee.” Community Service Society of New York. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://www.cssny.org/staff/entry/debipriya-chatterjee.
  42. “‘Our Mission.’” NYC Opportunity. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/opportunity/about/about-nyc-opportunity.page.
  43. Community Service Society. “Key Staff Members by Department & Program”. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.cssny.org/staff/senior-staff
  44. The Brian Lehrer Show. WNYC. November 8, 2013. https://www.wnyc.org/story/unheard-third/
  45. “Board.” Fiscal Policy Institute, Accessed March 7, 2022. https://fiscalpolicy.org/board.
  46. “Board.” Fiscal Policy Institute, Accessed March 7, 2022. https://fiscalpolicy.org/board.
  47. “About NYSUT.” NYSUT. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://www.nysut.org/about.
  48. “Peter Savage.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-savage-6b258a12.
  49. “Board.” Fiscal Policy Institute, Accessed March 7, 2022. https://fiscalpolicy.org/board.
  50. CSEA Local 1000AFSCME, AFL-CIO, “Legislative and Political Action Staff”. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://cseany.org/legislative-and-political-action-contacts/
  51. Wang, Vivian and Goodman, David. “Democrats in N.Y. Find Unexpected Foe in Campaign Finance Overhaul”. The New York Times. April 29, 2019. Accessed October 5, 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/nyregion/unions-public-financing-elections.html
  52. Williams, Zach. “Mixed results for organized labor in state budget”. City & State New York. April 3, 2019. Accessed October 5, 2019.  https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/policy/labor/organized-labor-to-push-legislative-priorities-post-budget.html
  53. “Board.” Fiscal Policy Institute, Accessed March 7, 2022. https://fiscalpolicy.org/board.
  54. New York State American Academy of Pediatrics. “About Us: Staff/Contact Us”. Accessed October 5, 2019. http://nysaap.org/staffcontact-us/
  55. New York State American Academy of Pediatrics. “Legislative Successes in New York State”. Accessed October 5, 2019. http://ny2aap.org/2017/05/03/legislative-successes-in-new-york-state/
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  58. Assembly member Aravella Simotas. “Simotas and Hoylman, Joined By Consumer Groups, Call on Procter & Gamble to Change Packaging of Toxic Tide Pods”. February 6, 2018. Accessed October 6, 2019.  https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Aravella-Simotas/story/79471
  59. Schofield, Taryn. “New York State Assembly approves gun storage legislation to improve child safety”. Long Island Report. May 22, 2019. Accessed October 6, 2019.  https://longislandreport.org/news/new-york-state-assembly-approves-gun-storage-legislation-to-improve-child-safety/27469
  60. American Academy of Pediatrics, Consumer Reports, et.al. “Letter to the New York State Senate and Assembly.” May 29, 2019. Accessed October 6, 2019. https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Support-Harpers-Law-A4421-and-S1627-joint-letter-to-NYS-full-legislature-5-29-2019.pdf
  61. Citizen’s Committee for Children. “Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York Releases New Poll Data Showing the Public Strongly Supports New Taxes on Soda and Alcohol to Protect Public Health and Limit Service Cuts.” December 15, 2008. Accessed October 6, 2019. http://www.alcoholjustice.org/images/stories/pdfs/nyccc_release_poll08.pdf
  62. Citizen’s Committee for Children. “Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York Releases New Poll Data Showing the Public Strongly Supports New Taxes on Soda and Alcohol to Protect Public Health and Limit Service Cuts.” December 15, 2008. Accessed October 6, 2019. http://www.alcoholjustice.org/images/stories/pdfs/nyccc_release_poll08.pdf
  63. “PEF History.” Public Employees Federation, August 5, 2021. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://www.pef.org/about/pef-history/.
  64. “PEF Secretary-Treasurer – Kay Alison Wilkie.” New York State Public Employees Federation, February 17, 2021. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://www.pef.org/about/union-leadership/secretary-treasurer-kay-alison-wilkie/.
  65. “Board.” Fiscal Policy Institute, Accessed March 7, 2022. https://fiscalpolicy.org/board.
  66. “Staff.” Fiscal Policy Institute, November 13, 2021. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://fiscalpolicy.org/staff.
  67. “Staff.” Fiscal Policy Institute, November 13, 2021. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://fiscalpolicy.org/staff.
  68. “Staff.” Fiscal Policy Institute, November 13, 2021. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://fiscalpolicy.org/staff.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: November 1, 1992

  • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2017 Dec Form 990 $740,209 $730,571 $443,545 $271,187 N $664,858 $32,420 $5 $266,728
    2016 Dec Form 990 $962,793 $845,083 $404,973 $311,632 N $819,905 $137,825 $1 $317,665
    2015 Dec Form 990 $857,347 $789,233 $264,787 $289,156 N $751,209 $105,767 $1 $320,586 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $698,325 $813,600 $163,992 $193,485 N $570,339 $97,277 $1 $155,059 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $784,532 $766,540 $313,321 $227,539 N $677,363 $107,168 $1 $229,609 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $771,828 $809,562 $301,671 $233,881 N $683,569 $87,791 $468 $207,175 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $711,340 $836,111 $325,769 $220,245 N $600,698 $110,639 $3 $259,059 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Fiscal Policy Institute

    1 LEAR JET LN
    LATHAM, NY 12110-2313