Spending time with Jonathan Bowles offered an insightful look into the role think tanks play in shaping policy, which I had never thought about previously. Bowles mentioned that cities are becoming increasingly autonomous, relying less on state and federal guidance. In NYC, the mayor holds significant power, particularly in setting the agenda through the budget, but the City Council technically serves as a check on the mayor.

Bowles’ work at the Center for an Urban Future (CUF) stresses the importance of accessible, solution-oriented research. Unlike traditional journalism, which often highlights problems without proposing remedies, CUF focuses on actionable policy recommendations. His contributions, such as the CUNY Fresh Start initiative, demonstrate how research can directly impact policy, particularly in expanding economic opportunities. Bowles’ emphasis on making reports understandable to City Council members reinforced the idea that research must be understandable to be put into action.

Related to that, Bowles related how policy change often requires persistence. Ideas introduced today may not gain traction immediately but can resurface when the political climate shifts.

Overall, the conversation emphasized that while NYC faces significant challenges—rising homelessness, mental health crises, and economic inequality—it has the structural capacity to address them. The key lies in ensuring that policymakers have access to research-backed solutions and the political will to implement them.