New State & Local Policies

The DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI) conducts research and public education on budget and tax issues in the District of Columbia, with a particular emphasis on issues that affect low- and moderate-income residents.  By preparing timely analyses that can be used by policy makers, the media, and the public, DCFPI seeks to inform public debates on budget and tax issues and to ensure that the needs of lower-income residents are considered.  It also creates an annual Budget Toolkit to help people understand the annual budgeting process and the proposed budget. Read more about DC Fiscal Policy Institute...

Established in 1958 by the city of Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) aims to spur investment, support business growth, and foster development that creates jobs, revitalizes neighborhoods, and drives growth across Philadelphia.  To do so, the nonprofit offers a wide range of loans, tax-exempt financing, and technical assistance to businesses, developers, and nonprofits, and acquires, improves, plans, manages, leases, and sells industrial and commercial real estate.  To date, PIDC and its affiliates have settled 6,700 transactions, including $14 billion in financing credited with leveraging over $25 billion in total investment dollars, and helping to create or retain hundreds of thousands of area jobs.

Started in Miami in 2003, the Prosperity Campaign has rapidly expanded statewide, providing tax and benefit counseling to low-income Florida families to help them claim benefits and begin to build household savings and wealth. The money at stake is substantial. The federal Earned Income Tax Credit, for example, is a refundable tax credit of up to $4,300 for low-income working families and individuals; the average family receives nearly $2,000 — but many fail to claim the money they are owed. Read more about Prosperity Campaign...

MICAH is a multiracial, interfaith organization committed to addressing justice issues that impact the Milwaukee community. In February 2005, MICAH succeeded in getting the County Board of Supervisors to approve the Park East Redevelopment Compact, a community benefits agreement with the project developer that will incorporate jobs for local residents and other benefits into the Park East neighborhood redevelopment plan. Read more about Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope...

The Keystone Research Center conducts original research, produces reports, and promotes public dialogue that addresses important economic and civic problems. Among its accomplishments is the creation of an interactive GIS map which shows the distribution of state economic development projects down to the municipal — and often street address — level.
Read more about Keystone Research Center...

Good Jobs New York, a joint project of Good Jobs First and the Fiscal Policy Institute, serves as a clearinghouse of information about the costs and other key aspects of the largest New York City retention deals of the last decade. Besides investigating these deals, it provides information about accountability measures in use elsewhere, and other ways public resources can be used to strengthen the economy. In May 2005, advocacy efforts linked to its research led New York City to approve a corporate subsidy disclosure law. Read more about Good Jobs New York...

The Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives succeeded in convincing the state legislature to pass a bill that facilitated the creation of five health care purchasing cooperatives in different regions of Wisconsin. The co-op provides a way for workers at small businesses and family farmers to have health insurance. And member ownership helps ensure that health care decisions are truly made on the members' behalf. Read more about Co-op Care...

Founded in 2005, Community Forklift serves as a surplus and salvaged building materials outlet. The group manually disassembles buildings that are targeted for demolition so it can recover and recycle the materials for other uses. Nationally, between 1998 and 2002, 200 stores opened in this industry. According to the Washington-based Institute for Self-Reliance, sales in this sector as of 2002 had reached an estimated $70 million per year. Read more about Community Forklift...

Launched in the fall of 2006 by the E.F. Schumacher Society and the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce to encourage local shopping, BerkShares is a local currency that provides discounts for local residents who shop at local stores. The BerkShares group hopes the local currency will help build the local economy by keeping more dollars at home. In this manner, the group hopes to preserve local jobs and promote sustainable development by helping increase the level of community support of local owned enterprises and local manufacturing. Read more about BerkShares, Inc....