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Op Ed
State Budget
What Will Be The Long-Term Impact Of The State Budget Agreement?
April 03, 2016
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget projected out-year deficits of $1.2 billion, $3 billion and $3.4 billion in state fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020 (before unspecified savings associated with adherence to a 2 percent state operating spending growth cap).
Testimony
Pensions & Benefits
Testimony on Health Care Savings Under Recent Collective Bargaining Agreements
Delivered to NYC Council Committees on Finance and Civil Service
February 26, 2016
CBC has been monitoring New York City's efforts to find health savings. CBC has long advocated negotiating changes to health insurance as part of collective bargaining and applauded the labor-management agreement that committed to meet annual savings targets.
Letter
State Budget
Recommendations on the FY 2017 Executive Budget
February 25, 2016
CBC offers recommendations for legislative action on the Governor’s Executive Budget for fiscal year 2017. The recommendations cover four proposals that deserve support, five proposals that should be modified, and four proposals that should be rejected.
Statement
Transportation
Statement on MTA Funding Agreement
October 09, 2015
The announcement of an agreement for funding the MTA’s 2015-2019 capital plan is an important step in maintaining and enhancing the region’s most vital transportation assets. However, additional steps must be taken.
Op Ed
Transportation
Funding the MTA Capital Plan: Avoiding a False Choice
July 30, 2015
Funding the next five-year capital plan for the MTA is a priority for the NYC region, and fortunately the funding gap has narrowed. The real question should be: how much funding should come from motorists versus taxpayers and commuters?
Statement
Transportation
Statement Regarding Ongoing Discussions of MTA Capital Plan
July 24, 2015
Debating how to apportion funding for the remaining $9.8 billion gap between “the City” and “the State” is counterproductive. Funding for mass transit should be defined as coming from three sources: fares, tax subsidies, and motor vehicle cross-subsidies.
Letter
Transportation
CBC Encourages Governor Cuomo to Veto Costly Free Transfers
July 13, 2015
This letter urges rejecting a bill (A2607/S3228) that would cost the MTA $40 million annually.
Op Ed
Transportation
How to Pay for the MTA
May 22, 2015
The MTA is vital to the region’s economic well-being. Its mass transit services, seven bridges, and two tunnels comprise a $1 trillion asset.
Testimony
Capital Spending
Testimony On Ten-Year Capital Strategy and Capital Budget
Delivered to NY City Council Committee on Finance
May 18, 2015
The Mayor's Ten-Year Capital Strategy totals $83.8 billion- a $30 billion increase from the prior plan. CBC has two main concerns about the Strategy: there is insufficient information available to judge the investments, and the investments will add to the City’s high debt burden.
Op Ed
Transportation
To Fund The Subways, Charge Drivers More
And A Vehicle-Miles-Traveled Tax Should Be Part Of The Equation
April 02, 2015
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority needs about $32 billion over the next five years to repair, replace and improve its facilities, notably the vast and essential mass transit system. It only has about $13 billion. The $19 billion hole requires a new way of thinking about how we fund mass transit.
Op Ed
Transportation
Port Authority's Brooklyn Port Facilities Should Be Reimagined
February 02, 2015
The port of New York-New Jersey is the largest container port on the East Coast. It's publicly owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and it consistently loses money ($82 million in 2013).
Op Ed
State Budget
Ten Key Takeaways from Governor Cuomo's Executive Budget
January 28, 2015
Last week, Citizens Budget Commission listed the Top Ten Things to Look for in the NYS 2016 Budget. Here is how they fared in the Executive Budget Proposal outlined by Governor Cuomo on January 21.
Testimony
Transportation
Testimony on MTA Fare Policies
To the MTA Board
November 13, 2012
CBC proposes a “25-50-25” formula for funding the MTA’s transit services. That is, 20-25 percent of transit expenses should be paid for by auto-user cross subsidies, 45-50 percent paid by riders, and 25-30 percent paid through state and local tax subsidies.
Op Ed
Transportation
A Better Way to Pay for the MTA
October 16, 2012
CBC President Carol Kellermann pens an opinion piece for the Huffington Post on the importance of creating a new approach to financing the MTA. The op-ed is premised on our latest MTA report, "A Better Way to Pay for the MTA."
Op Ed
Transportation
MTA Finances: A Looming Train Wreck
September 23, 2012
CBC President Carol Kellermann pens an op-ed about the serious financial troubles facing the MTA and the need for a long-term solution.
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony on the NYC Executive Budget for FY2013
To NY City Council Committee on Finance
June 06, 2012
First, the Council should focus on structural changes to municipal finances that will make budgeting easier in future years. Second, the Council should phase out the unusual practice of reimbursing retired municipal workers for their Medicare Part B premiums.
Op Ed
Pensions & Benefits
Sneak Labor Giveaway
May 05, 2012
Across New York, the cost of health benefits for retired government employees is growing so rapidly that it threatens to crowd out funding for essential government services. Rather than lay off police or close libraries, public officials may want to use their discretion to alter retiree health insurance — but some state legislators are trying to take away that discretion.
Statement
Public Workforce
Statement on Tier VI Reforms
March 14, 2012
The bill that passed both houses of the State Legislature early this morning included important, beneficial changes in most components of the pension formulas that will determine benefits for future employees.
Op Ed
Pensions & Benefits
New York State’s Pension Plan
March 12, 2012
Deferrals of pension fund contributions by New York State and localities relies on unconvincing arguments by the State Comptroller that the plan is justified by the need for short-term relief from rising pension costs and that it is transparent.
Op Ed
Pensions & Benefits
Cuomo’s Reforms Are Perfectly Fair
February 21, 2012
Gov. Cuomo’s proposed “Tier VI” pension formula for future state and local government employees is more than fair by national standards. With New Yorkers now paying more than twice the US average per person for public-employee pensions, it’s time to rein in these costs.