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Last week, WDQC Policy Analyst Jenna Leventoff attended a meeting in Albany, New York about potential amendments to New York Assembly Bill 2164-B. The meeting was hosted by the bill’s sponsor, Assembly Member Harry B. Bronson.
Assembly Bill 2164-B requires New York’s Department of Labor to provide wage data to three workforce data clearinghouses located within academic institutions in the state. The clearinghouses would be required to evaluate workforce programs and issue reports. This bill would build on a 2013 amendment to State Labor Law Section 537 to allow the New York State Department of Labor to share wage records with government agencies (including public universities) by significantly increasing the state’s analytical capacity. To date, the bill has passed the New York Assembly, and will soon be considered in the New York Senate.
Meeting participants included New York state data users and experts, such as representatives of the State University of New York (SUNY), the City University of New York (CUNY), the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP), and the Center for an Urban Future. WDQC was invited to provide a national context for the collection and use of workforce data.
During the meeting, participants discussed the value of labor market and wage data, including how it can help promote program improvement, economic development, policymaking, and student decision making. Participants also provided advice as to the types of data agreements the state could enter into, and what the composition of the clearinghouse’s Board of Advisors should be.
WDQC is pleased to provide input as this bill moves forward, and is thankful to Assembly Member Bronson for working to enable better use of existing data in New York.
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