RIGHT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources are slight to moderately conservative in bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes) to favor conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Right-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate the Empire Center Right-Center Biased for consistently promoting free-market economics, limited government, school choice, and skepticism toward progressive social and climate policies. We also rate it Mostly Factual, as the organization generally bases its arguments on identifiable data and official sources, but strong ideological framing and selective presentation of evidence reduce balance and neutrality.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER (4.5)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.6)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
The Empire Center for Public Policy is a New York–based think tank publishing policy research and commentary. According to its Who We Are page, the organization describes itself as independent, non-partisan, and non-profit, with a mission centered on promoting public policy reforms grounded in free-market principles, personal responsibility, and accountable government. The Empire Center is headquartered in Albany, New York, and focuses heavily on state and local policy issues, including taxation, labor, education, health care, and energy.
Read our profile on the United States media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
The Empire Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. While it solicits donations on its website, it does not disclose the names of individual donors, thereby limiting transparency. According to InfluenceWatch, it is affiliated with the State Policy Network (SPN), a coalition of conservative think tanks funded by organizations such as DonorsTrust, the Walton Family Foundation, and the Bradley Foundation. SPN members have been linked to opposition to climate policy and national deregulatory campaigns.
Analysis / Bias
The Empire Center functions as a policy advocacy and research organization rather than a straight news outlet. While it publishes reports grounded in data, legislative analysis, and third-party studies, its work consistently reflects a free-market, fiscally conservative perspective on public policy. This orientation places it to the right of center on economic issues, particularly in opposition to expansive government spending, regulation, and taxation.
For example, the report Green Guardrails critically examines New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, emphasizing cost projections, governance concerns, and risks to grid reliability. The analysis relies on state data, official reports, and cost estimates but frames climate policy primarily through economic risk, regulatory overreach, and legislative accountability, with limited engagement with environmental or public-health benefits emphasized by supporters of the law.
Similarly, the article Double Talk on Single Payer critiques Democratic support for the New York Health Act by highlighting projected tax increases and fiscal risks. While the piece references external estimates, such as studies by the RAND Corporation, it selectively emphasizes cost burdens and political contradictions, reinforcing the Center’s broader skepticism of large-scale government-run programs.
Across its publications, the Empire Center tends to prioritize fiscal impact, taxpayer burden, and government transparency, while giving less weight to equity-based or redistributive policy arguments.
Failed Fact Checks
- There are no direct failed fact checks of the Empire Center. However, its association with the State Policy Network, which has supported climate denial and anti-regulatory lobbying, raises concerns about the selective use of evidence and ideological framing.
Overall, we rate the Empire Center Right-Center Biased for consistently promoting free-market economics, limited government, school choice, and skepticism toward progressive social and climate policies. We also rate it Mostly Factual, as the organization generally bases its arguments on identifiable data and official sources, but strong ideological framing and selective presentation of evidence reduce balance and neutrality. (D. Van Zandt 01/25/2026)
Source: https://www.empirecenter.org/
Last Updated on January 25, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources