State Government as a Vehicle for Economic Justice: State Government Initiative & Public Interest Law Center Panel Series

The State Government Initiative and the Public Interest Law Center are excited to announce the next event of our 2026-2027 panel series, State Government as a Vehicle for Economic Justice.

Living in America is increasingly unaffordable, and these affordability burdens do not fall evenly across demographic groups. The federal government is responsible for certain programs to address these economic needs, especially for older adults. However, the bulk of the work in making sure people don’t fall through the cracks and can afford to thrive falls on the states. Through tax policy, social services and safety nets, economic development programs, infrastructure, and more, states use their power to further economic justice—or fail to do so.

Careers in state government are one of the best ways for you to work towards economic justice in your country and your community. This panel features three speakers who have used different levers of state government to improve economic justice in New York. 

Nathan Gusdorf '18, Deputy Director for Policy Planning and Delivery at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, is currently a leader in crafting NYC’s budget priorities. He previously served as Executive Director of the Fiscal Policy Institute, where he was a leading advocate for making New York State’s budget more progressive.

Alison Passer is the Deputy Superintendent for the Civil Investigations Unit in the New York State Department of Financial Services, where she protects New Yorkers from fraud and abuse in the financial services industry and beyond.

Alec Webley '16 is an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the New York State Attorney General's Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau, where he litigates and works on policy to protect consumers’ economic interests.

Professor David Siffert '09, Executive Director of the State Government Initiative, will moderate.

The event will take place on Tuesday, November 10th from 1:15pm – 2:15pm in Room 220 of Vanderbilt Hall, 40 Washington Square South. RSVP here.

Lunch will be served.

We hope you all can join us!

NYU Law provides reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Requests for accommodations for events and services should be submitted at least two weeks before the date of the accommodation needed. Please email makayla.boxley@nyu.edu or call 212-998-6244 for assistance.