Jonathan Drapkin: All roads lead to need for better infrastructure
May 18. 2016
Infrastructure — not the most exciting thing that government does, but when it fails, boy are citizens upset.
It is national Infrastructure Week. Events are taking place all over the country to try to bring attention to an expenditure that typically draws […]
Jonathan Drapkin: Don’t just gripe about taxes; get informed
March 27. 2016
No question, politics at any level is all about it. The state budget process is taking the issue through the wringer. School budget talks are wrestling it to the floor. Taxes.
The mere mention of it sets off a visceral reaction in all of us. And why not? Look at your pay stub, […]
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 […]
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 […]