RAVITCH FISCAL REPORTING PROGRAM

Ravitch January Sessions Are Filled

Summer dates to be announced in April

The five-day Ravitch Fiscal Reporting Program to be held at the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism the week of Jan. 5. is full as is the two-day 2025 election consequences session for alums of the program.

Upcoming Ravitch plans include a two-day housing session in the late spring, a three-day local economic reporting program in the early summer and the traditional five-day fiscal program, probably in July. Check back in March when dates should be annoj nced.

The Ravitch Program is now in its 11^th year and has attracted some 800 journalists from around the country. It was conceived of and originally funded by New York civic leader Richard Ravitch and is continuing with the generous support of the Ravitch Foundation.

Contact director Greg David to answer any questions at greg.david@journalism.cuny.edu.

• Ravitch Reporting Program Renewed For 3 Years

The Ravitch Fiscal Reporting Program, a unique training series that for a decade has provided advanced instruction on issues related to fiscal policies at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, will continue for the next three years under a new commitment by the Ravitch Foundation.

In the 10 years since New York civic leader Richard Ravitch began the program, some 800 journalists have participated in the training at the Newmark J-School.

The program includes a twice a year, five-day deep dive into fiscal policy including budgets, bonds, incentives, housing and other timely topics; a three-day program on better local economic coverage; and other sessions on issues ranging from housing to transit to the impact of federal elections on cities and states. There is no charge to attend, and the programs cover travel, lodging, and other costs of attending.

“Dick had become very frustrated at what he saw as a lack of expertise in reporting on issues like budgets and bonds and pensions and approached Dean Emerita Sarah Bartlett about what could be done,” said Program Director Greg David, who is also the director of Newmark’s Business and Economics Reporting Program. “We at the J-School were sure we could help correct that. And when I sent Dick the stories the reporters would write after attending, he knew his money was well spent.”

Ravitch died in June 2023 just shy of his 90th birthday. He was also a driving force behind the creation of THE CITY and a founding member of its board.

“Richard Ravitch was a true champion of the Newmark J-School and a long-serving member of our foundation board. We thank Richard’s sons Joseph and Michael Ravitch and Peter Davis for their continued support of this transformational journalism program,” said Dean Graciela Mochkofsky.

The Ravitch program will offer the next five-day fiscal program in January 2025, followed by an advanced session on the impact of the 2024 election for alumni of the program. The plan for the next three years includes two annual fiscal sessions: one economic reporting session a year, as well as in-depth programs focused on timely issues involving state and local governments.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Ravitch Fiscal Reporting Program at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York  provides advanced training in state and local fiscal issues through week-long and three-day programs emphasizing in-depth knowledge of key controversies, overcoming reporting challenges and improving storytelling. It will help reporters stay on top of breaking issues through emails, social media, website, and by creating a network of reporters covering the beat. The Ravitch Program was originally funded by generous grants from Richard Ravitch, long-time New York civic leader, who died in 2023. It continues with generous grants from the Ravitch Foundation.