New York City contributes 60% of the State's GDP—up from 54% in 2010. To better understand "who pays" and the fiscal flow between NYC and the rest of the state, we partnered with the Center for New York City Affairs. Read more about the revenues, taxes & more that fund services. buff.ly/mbRsT7q

A new NYC City Council bill would create an agency deploying mental health teams to respond to certain 911 calls, advancing a priority of Mayor-elect Mamdani. And it has strong early support. From @nytimes.com, one way the new admin is seeking to reshape local government:

"Setting a new wage floor for human service workers would pull 100,000 New Yorkers out of poverty and pump $23 billion into the state’s economy." In amNewYork, a new op-ed highlights our research to make the case for a stronger, more resilient human services sector. buff.ly/OlVye9i

Federally, New York State taxpayers contribute more to the gov't than they get back. A new analysis shows the same is true of New York State & New York City. We partnered with @thenewschool.bsky.social's Center for New York City Affairs to assess the fiscal flow between NYC & Albany.

Groups like MADVoters and the Policy Circle are creating accessible spaces—from Civics Literacy Labs to small-group policy discussions—to help community members learn, ask questions, and see that civic engagement is for everyone. Input Fort Wayne dives in: buff.ly/iP5bZBW

Staffing shortages and high turnover in NYS agencies that support vulnerable adults show why workforce development and living wages matter. Gaps in the system directly affect those who rely on these critical services. Via @gothamist.com: buff.ly/jX57QIA

In a novel survey, the National Council of Urban Indian Health is examining brain injuries among Native survivors of domestic violence. The results will help direct support to survivors. Read more from Stateline on how data and scientific research can inform public services: buff.ly/EdSpp2N

Strong movements need more than funding; they need shared stories and shared commitments. @npquarterly.bsky.social explores how the concept of “narrative infrastructure” strengthens the cultural power that helps communities align and advance justice together: buff.ly/i6GI92Z

“It's all about seeing how you harmed someone, and how to fix it. At its core, it’s accountability.” Across NYC, schools and youth centers are using a restorative justice approach to resolving conflicts, growing important communications skills along the way. Read how on our blog.

Millions of New Yorkers rely on human services workers from daycare staff to home health aides. Yet many earn ~$20k below a living wage. Raising pay benefits workers and the wider economy. Our ROI analysis shows how. Read more: buff.ly/koEWzHB

Iowa is reporting its lowest recidivism rate in a decade. The DOC credits new data and analytic tools that help improve release decisions as well as monitor safety and medical needs. @routefifty.bsky.social on how greater data capacity can help keep recidivism down: buff.ly/GEoOEpt

Building more affordable housing is a priority for state and local governments across the US. And they have a unique tool that can both support residents and spur development: vacant property taxes. Here's how cities and states have tapped into them.

With SNAP benefits reinstated, it’s clear how critical these benefits are to countless families. Queens- and Brooklyn- serving org Forestdale saw how quickly food insecurity deepened with SNAP benefits frozen. More from QNS: buff.ly/cwLrCkT

NYC voters approved four ballot measures last month, including big changes to how the city builds affordable housing through props 2–4. Prop 5 also passed, meaning the City will create a unified, digitized City map. See the voter breakdown: buff.ly/L6N4ZTS

Childcare, healthcare, social services—demand is rising, but wages for the human services workforce aren’t. To build truly sustainable services, workers need livable wages. CUNY ISLG analyzed the ROI of raising their pay. Here’s what we found:

Public health data illuminate emerging problems among different populations. When that data disappears, we lose sight of what communities need. @RWJF.org breaks down why preserving accurate, transparent data helps us advance equity and accountability: buff.ly/GZlkyMu

Growing racial and ethnic disparities in youth incarceration continue to “deepen cycles of trauma and inequality, harming families and communities alike.” Black youth are 15% of U.S. youth but 46% of those incarcerated. Data from @sentencingproject.bsky.social: buff.ly/FNpsz5x

This just in: the November 📰edition of Institute Intelligence. Dig into the work we've done the past month, including profiles of our Community-Based Restorative Justice partners and a ROI analysis on bringing NY's human services sector up to a living wage.

Restorative justice isn’t just for repairing harm—it also teaches us to listen, learn, and hold ourselves and others accountable. For #RestorativeJusticeMonth, read how Community-Based Restorative Justice Initiative orgs are supporting youth from elementary school to college prep.

A technical deliverable is only as useful as the community's ability to use it. Collaborating across agencies & changing protocols is complicated, but with communication and planning, impactful, long-term solutions can take root. buff.ly/omngGAG

Mayor-Elect Mamdani announced his transition advisory teams this week, and we’re excited to see some familiar names: ISLG’s Michael Jacobson will serve on the Committee on the Criminal Legal System, and Marc Shaw joins Government Operations. Congrats to all. Let the work commence!

ICYMI: In the Queens Daily Eagle, Civic Engagement Fellow Stephanie Frias speaks from personal and professional experience on the financial, emotional, and legal challenges people (and their family) face when they're held on Rikers.

When working toward systemic change, things don't always go as planned. Unforeseen challenges and evolving priorities means goals can shift quickly. Trust, flexible support, and infrastructure makes it possible to pivot quickly. Here's how we did that in Fulton County, Georgia. buff.ly/omngGAG

Findings from the College-in-Prison Reentry Initiative show the potential benefits of widening access to education in NYS prisons. See how measures like misconducts, reconviction, & wages varied between students and non-students in the outcome evaluation: buff.ly/B5w9ial

At Harlem’s Emma L. Bowen Center, the food pantry line is longer than ever. Even before SNAP benefits are set to expire, demand has doubled this month due to the federal shutdown. AM NewYork shares the local implications of a national issue: buff.ly/cIMT5mO

Even with NYC’s many social services, residents still struggle to access supports. A Blueprint for Social Service Navigation in NYC and Beyond shows how local, data-informed programs can bridge those gaps, especially if federal support lags. Read more: buff.ly/vJ4aYCs

From arrest to sentencing, the criminal legal system fails to account for women’s unique circumstances — and it’s hurting families. @Stateline.org covers a new @CouncilonCJ.org report calling for fairer detention decisions & trauma-informed responses. Dig in: buff.ly/7hoUF1J

Apprenticeships offer job seekers paid hands-on training, but many states lack systems to support them. Two new state programs show how skills-based models can better meet labor market needs & create a sustainable workforce. Governing explores the model: buff.ly/H02s3Gm

For the 5th consecutive school year, the number of homeless children in NYC has risen. Students experiencing homelessness face health and safety concerns and are more likely to drop out. See how the crisis varies by school district from @citylimitsnews.bsky.social: buff.ly/ymqYEoS

This just in: ISLG Senior Fellow Dean Fuleihan was announced as First Deputy Mayor in Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani's administration. Dean's notable contributions to NY City & State government are sure to be a strength in this administration. ✍🏽 @nytimes.com:

In some neighborhoods, libraries are more than a place to rent books—they're also public spaces that can boost civic engagement and draw people to nearby local businesses. Bloomberg's CityLab explores the renaissance of new library designs and upgrades: buff.ly/mjuBtC4

National Guard deployments in cities are the latest step in a crackdown on crime. Yet crime data from the federal gov't itself shows violent crime rates are down - especially in most of the cities being targeted. @Stateline.org shares the data: buff.ly/fa8cMMl

Jail populations dropped in cities & counties after they joined the Safety and Justice Challenge, driven by fewer bookings. But now that numbers are down, what’s the makeup of today’s jail populations, and why? Our latest analysis breaks it down: islg.cuny.edu/resources/us...

Safety. Accountability. Participation. Do those words resonate with you? @niemanlab.org looks at new research that explores what messages or words get people inspired to care about local news—or turn away from it. See what stuck: buff.ly/FROvWsa

A recent survey found that many of us want the same thing: safety, good jobs, and opportunities to be healthy. People also believe they have the power to create change locally. @rwjf.org shares the findings: buff.ly/1Udipmm

Some cool election data from the folks at CUNY's @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social 👇 Want to your voice to be included? Polls are open until 9!

Since NY ended cash bail for most misdemeanors & nonviolent felonies, recidivism dropped nearly across the board. In the most comprehensive look at the impact of how the 2020 reforms, Data Collaborative for Justice’s report shows eliminating cash bail does not undermine public safety.

Pop quiz: What is "civic engagement?" It's defined as “individual or collective action that seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.” But what's it mean in real life? Our latest blog digs into how it's happening in NYC: buff.ly/bTRTY5A

New Yorkers: do you know which judges you’re voting for on November 4th? With less candidate info available, these races have little transparency. @gothamist.com explains how judges get on the ticket and who'll be on your ballot: buff.ly/J1bpPzs

By safely reducing jail populations, cities & counties also reduce the harms & cost of incarceration. Our new analysis of Safety and Justice Challenge data shows how sites are not just lowering jail populations, but rethinking the role of jail itself. Explore the data: buff.ly/28r0p0V

In 2021, the Bronx had the lowest voter turnout in the NYC election. Now, the Civic Engagement Fellowship is working to increase civic engagement in the borough and bring those voter turnout rates up. See our latest blog on the importance of voting here: buff.ly/bTRTY5A

Financing community-led solutions requires shifting both money and power. @ssir.org explains how Community-Driven Outcomes Contracts do just that by putting communities in the lead to define problems, design solutions, and measure success. Read about it:

Watch ISLG Policy Program Director Patrick Hart on BronxTalk at @lehmancollege.bsky.social! A great conversation about our freshly launched Civic Engagement Fellowship, how it aims to boost voting in the South Bronx, and how the model can be replicated throughout the city (and beyond). 📻🗳️

NYC is known by many names, but what about civic laboratory? Participatory budgeting in NYC shows how civic engagement can give residents real power to shape their neighborhoods, bringing New Yorkers up close to democracy. @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social has the scoop: buff.ly/38j09tL

Challenges across sectors—like housing, early education, and climate resilience—are interconnected. Solutions should be, too. Local gov't can lead by bringing together public, private & community partners to create lasting change. Governing explains: buff.ly/UGcCsH0

New Yorkers: Are you registered to vote in the upcoming NYC General Election? Make your voice heard! Our latest blog explores what local government looks like in NYC and why voting in local elections is a great way to speak up for your community. Dive in: buff.ly/bTRTY5A

Child care access supply and demand is a challenge in every state. An interactive map from the Buffet EC Institute highlights gaps in care and gives policymakers valuable insights down to the county and district level. Explore it here: childcaregap.org

Survivors of gender-based violence often face barriers to accessing support—especially those with criminal legal system involvement. For #DVAM, learn more about how we're examining how orgs serve survivors & how survivors navigate these networks. 🔗

Philly’s first youth restorative justice program shows what’s possible when accountability is rooted in healing. Since 2021, Healing Futures has diverted youth from the court system, offering a path instead that centers repairing harm. ✍🏼 @metrophilly.bsky.social: buff.ly/1pCyj2M

For local criminal legal systems, federal grants can spark innovative, impactful services. In Tucson, funding helped police, courts & advocates remove guns from high-risk domestic violence cases, but cuts put the program—and survivors—at risk. From @thetrace.org: buff.ly/n2lOh0M