//Columns & Op-Ed Articles

In Albany, Smart Dialogue Trumps Reckless War

February 2015

Since the Great Recession, economic development has dominated statewide priorities. Now, it is education’s turn. What a great opportunity. Yet, while improving education seems like something everyone can get behind, the issue is as divisive as ever.

No matter how the statistics are framed, there are […]

2017-11-27T14:15:22+00:00 February 23rd, 2015|Categories: Columns & Op-Ed Articles|Tags: , |

NY Surplus Could Fuel Jobs, Infrastructure

December 2014       For the Times Herald-Record

In government, you seldom get to make a real wish list.

Yet New York state right now is contemplating what to do with a multi-billion-dollar surplus. So far, Governor Cuomo has made it clear that it should be spent on a one-time cost, so that the establishment of a new […]

P-Tech Program Shows Best of Students, School and Industry

November 6, 2014

By Jonathan Drapkin / For the Times Herald-Record

When you think of work force development, you probably wouldn’t think of 9th-graders. But you should.

The Pattern staff recently had an opportunity to visit the inaugural class of the P-Tech program at Newburgh Free Academy. If you want hope for the City of Newburgh, the Hudson […]

Difficult Changes Required to Meet Healthcare Needs

September 15, 2014 

By Jonathan Drapkin  / For The Times Herald-Record

Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress recently completed an eight-month study on the region’s aging population and the readiness of the region’s health-care institutions and stakeholders to address it.

We were aided by an incredible group of committed health-care professionals who helped shape the focus of the study.

Observations […]

Many Challenges Loom for Region in Next 25 Years

July 21, 2014

By Jonathan Drapkin / For the Times Herald-Record

Where are we going as a region? As Pattern for Progress approaches its 50th anniversary, we’ll be asking this question a lot and looking to many sources for answers.

What we find may not please everyone. We expect that. Yet, to not challenge the Hudson Valley to […]

Jobless Rate Isn’t the Whole Story of Economy’s Health

April 9, 2014

By Jonathan Drapkin / For the Times Herald-Record

One of the most highly reported numbers about the state of the economy has always been the unemployment rate.

It is the gold standard of economic measures. Or maybe I should say “was.” For some very legitimate reasons, the use of the unemployment rate to take the […]

We Need Cuomo To Boost State Initiatives Locally

January 16, 2014

By Jonathan Drapkin / For the Times Herald-Record

Even as we pore over the 230 pages of the full text of the governor’s State of the State message, we take note of the many positive statements we’ve heard, as well as the numerous complaints as to why the Hudson Valley did not receive more […]

Thanking Gov. Cuomo, and Wanting More

December 23, 2013

By Jonathan Drapkin / For the Times Herald-Record

It’s the holiday season — time for people to make lists of what they want. Sometimes they get the items on their lists, and sometimes they don’t.

In the world of economic development and government, a whole lot of list-making has been going on. Over the past […]