Deputy Director of Research
Dr. Laura Rabinow is the deputy director of research for the Rockefeller Institute of Government, supporting the broad array of research conducted at the Institute and focusing her own research on environmental policy issues. Her prior work has moved between public policy research and practice. Most recently, she worked in the New York State Legislature in various roles, including as a chief of staff in the Assembly and as the environmental conservation, agriculture, and cultural affairs policy analyst in the Senate. Prior to her legislative experience, she worked in agricultural microfinance and foreign policy research. Dr. Rabinow’s more recent research considers New York State and federal policies with respect to drinking water and chemical contaminants, with a particular focus on the ways that public policy, social movements, and public health cultures co-construct the production of knowledge and ignorance about contaminants.
An Overview of PFAS in Biosolids: Part II
December 19, 2024
In the second part of this series, authors Laura Rabinow and Francis Ofori-Awuku describe the federal regulatory process for biosolids and some of its limitations. Continue Reading...
An Overview of PFAS in Biosolids: Part I
October 10, 2024
Biosolids? Sewage sludge? PFAS contamination? Part I of this series on PFAS in biosolids outlines what biosolids are and describes their production and use nationally and in New York State. Continue Reading...
What We’re Watching in New York State’s FY25 Budget
March 28, 2024
Rockefeller Institute researchers highlight some key issues in different areas of the NYS FY 2025 budget that intersect with their research in healthcare, education, fiscal analysis, cannabis policy, and environmental issues. Continue Reading...
October 26, 2023
This policy brief addresses the ongoing issue of lead service lines (LSLs) in the United States, focusing on their health risks, policy history, challenges, and recent federal initiatives like dedicated funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to replace these LSLs, with a specific emphasis on New York State. Continue Reading...
At Last: First Federal PFAS Drinking Water Standards Proposed
March 16, 2023
The new rules represent the first new federal drinking water standards for any contaminant since 1996 and the first for any PFAS chemical. Continue Reading...
March 9, 2023
The Norfolk Southern train derailment is a disaster but not a surprise. Continue Reading...
Meeting New York’s Electric School Bus Mandate: Takeaways from the 2022 School Finance Symposium
November 22, 2022
A look at what’s needed for New York to make the transition to zero-emission school buses, how the transition can be financed, and the anticipated benefits of an electric school bus fleet. Continue Reading...
Parts Per Trillion: An Overview of State PFAS Drinking Water Standards
October 27, 2022
This brief looks at how, in the absence of federal enforceable drinking water standards for PFAS, nine state governments have stepped into regulate these toxic compounds. Continue Reading...
October 3, 2022
The Supreme Court of the United States will hear oral arguments in Sackett v. EPA, a case with significant potential to shift water regulations across the United States. Continue Reading...
New York’s Environmental Bond Acts
April 28, 2022
In November 2022, New Yorkers will vote in a public referendum on an environmental bond act for the first time in over 25 years. This post explores the longer history of environmental bond acts in New York State and what they can tell us about how this ballot measure may fare. It will also recap how the 2022 Bond Act came to be, and what the funding will support if passed this fall. Continue Reading...
Ep. 48. New York State Budget Roundup
April 13, 2022
The Rockefeller Institute highlights what you need to know about New York State's $220 billion budget for the 2023 fiscal year. Continue Reading...
New York’s Potential Green Amendment—A Primer
October 27, 2021
As New Yorkers go to the polls on November 2nd to vote on a green amendment to the state's constitution, this blog examines the concerns and advantages of green amendments and the experiences of other states that have adopted them. Continue Reading...
Takeaways from the Rockefeller Institute’s Webinar “Environmental Justice: New Policy Directions”
May 25, 2021
Highlights from the Rockefeller Institute's webinar, "Environmental Justice: New Policy Directions," including the history of environmental justice policy and practice in the United States and recent policy developments in New York and at the federal level. Continue Reading...
March 3, 2021
Laura Rabinow discusses her recent research examining the capacity of the Environmental Protection Agency to support the Biden administration's ambitious climate and environmental goals. Continue Reading...
Rebuilding Federal Environmental Protections
February 12, 2021
This analysis examines the state of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following extensive rollbacks and revisions to environmental regulations under the Trump administration and declines in funding and staffing at the agency. Continue Reading...
Into the (New York State) Woods: Hunting in a Pandemic
December 7, 2020
This analysis examines long-term trends in hunting education, participation, and license sales, and changes made to hunting education and licensing in New York as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Continue Reading...
Ep. 33. Policy and the Election
October 28, 2020
Rockefeller Institute researchers and fellows share remarks on the important policy issues facing the winner of the presidential election. Continue Reading...
The Shape of Water Regulations: The Disputed Waters of the United States
October 22, 2020
This policy brief examines the Trump Administration’s new definition of “waters of the United States” under the federal Clean Water Act, how the definition delineates which waters are and aren’t protected under the Act, and the potential impact of the new definition on environmental and public health. Continue Reading...
