Daniel Powers

• Worked on the statewide “Getting Our Money’s Worth” campaign and wrote two op-eds to the Buffalo News regarding the need to reform economic development practices in Buffalo focusing on Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs). Researched and compiled a database of subsidies handed out by local IDAs to track job creation and waste.
• Participated in the campaign on immigration reform by assisting with a photo project and engaging labor groups and prominent local clergy with the cause.
• Improved social media practices of CEJ and managed accounts.

"I chose the High Road Program because I wanted realworld experience working for a nonprofit organization, and to help me determine what I want to do after college.

For me, the High Road method is people acting together to transform the conditions and institutions that govern our lives. Through my work at the Coalition for Economic Justice, I’ve been helping to do that. I’m tracking the money spent by local Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) to hold these government agencies accountable to the public. I’ve also been researching the backgrounds and developing biographies of IDA members and comparing state legislation that CEJ is supporting with the policy adopted by the Erie County IDA. My favorite task so far has been comparing CEJ-backed legislation for local hiring with the Erie County IDA’s policy. It’s giving me the opportunity to think critically about implications of language and how differences in wording can affect policy implementation.

Among other things, I gained a better understanding of government failure, refugee issues, the impact of legislation, and participatory budgeting through my research. "