Project Coordinator
Nicholas Simons leads the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium, which aims to reduce violence involving firearms through research and analysis. He also specializes in education policy research and data visualization, writing pieces on K-12 and higher education topics for the Institute and building interactive graphics for Institute reports. He previously served as policy analyst for SUNY Central Administration’s Office of Government Relations, and as special assistant to the president at the University at Albany. Simons received his bachelor’s in political science and master’s in public administration from the University at Albany.
Ep. 39. NYS Legislative Session Wrap: Firearm Legislation
June 17, 2021
Joe Popcun and Nick Simons discuss the major firearm bills that will be sent to the governor, the issues those bills address, and how research can best support policymakers as they seek to disrupt the cycle of firearm-involved violence. Continue Reading...
Ep. 38. Ghost Guns: A New Federal Rule
May 11, 2021
Nicholas Simons explains what is in the proposed new rule on "ghost guns" by the US Department of Justice, how it may impact the use of ghost guns, and the next steps for finalizing the rule. Continue Reading...
Ghost Guns: A Haunting New Reality
April 14, 2021
As more untraceable firearms are recovered by law enforcement, states and the federal government are moving to develop and clarify laws regulating ghost guns. Continue Reading...
Gun Owners, Opinions, and Policy Opportunities Amid the Pandemic
January 27, 2021
This analysis examines gun owner demographics, political opinions, and attitudes toward measures aimed at preventing gun violence. Continue Reading...
New Student Orientation: The Latest Challenges in Counting College Goers
September 3, 2020
This analysis details how developments related to the COVID-19 public health emergency threaten to diminish federal aid to states and localities by disrupting an accurate count of college students as part of the 2020 census. Continue Reading...
Ep. 25. What It Takes to Research Gun Violence
July 23, 2020
Joseph Popcun, Rockefeller Institute director of policy and practice, and Nicholas Simons, project coordinator at the Institute, discuss the role of the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium in finding and developing policy to reduce gun violence. Continue Reading...
Ep. 23. COVID-19: Achieving a Complete Count during a Pandemic
June 1, 2020
Nicholas Simons, project coordinator at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, discusses how COVID-19 is affecting the 2020 Census and how the US Census Bureau is adjusting its operations to account for disruptions from the pandemic. Continue Reading...
Introducing the COVID-19 State Relief Dashboard
May 13, 2020
This analysis and data dashboard track how federal COVID-19 relief spending is being dispersed across the states. Continue Reading...
The Politics of Healthcare Reform vs. the Problems of Healthcare Reform
June 9, 2019
Even with the healthcare reform occurring under the ACA, there is a push to do more to expand healthcare further to make insurance more accessible and affordable. But the question is what. Continue Reading...
A Preliminary Analysis of Teacher Salaries in New York by Region and Wealth
April 17, 2019
While there are significant differences in how teachers are compensated between regions in New York, the median salary paid to teachers is consistently higher compared to other workers with bachelor’s and graduate degrees. Continue Reading...
If the Cap Fits, Let Them Wear It
March 6, 2019
We conservatively estimate that the tax cap has saved property taxpayers more than $25.6 billion since its enactment. Continue Reading...
By the Numbers: Regional School Property Tax Growth under the Tax Cap
February 15, 2019
School property tax rates have been dramatically cut in every region after the tax cap was put into effect and, using conservative estimates, homeowners have saved at least $16.7 billion on school taxes as a result. Continue Reading...
As Albany Debates a Permanent Property Tax Cap, How Is the Cap Affecting School Budgets?
January 23, 2019
New York State's local property tax cap has significantly reduced school property taxes and helped stabilize school budget adoption since it was enacted in 2012. Continue Reading...
A Multistate Review of Government Responses to Bump Stocks in High-Casualty Mass Shootings
January 14, 2019
Banning bump stocks and similar attachments will not address all gun violence issues, however, it will reduce the tools available to those who wish to carry out mass shootings. Continue Reading...
Avoiding Student Loans: Investing in Prepaid Tuition Plans
December 20, 2018
A state-sponsored prepaid tuition plan for New York's public colleges and universities could expand access to SUNY and CUNY for tens of thousands of students while creating a new pathway around student debt. Continue Reading...
A Deeper Look at Student Loan Debt in New York State
November 30, 2018
Better understanding the actual size, scope, and impact of student debt in New York is critically important if issues are to be properly addressed and solutions appropriately tailored to provide the most effective relief. Continue Reading...
