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Statement
Taxes
CBC Convenes Special Committee to Focus on Federal Tax Cuts
December 21, 2017
The Special Committee consists of CBC trustees, civic leaders, and policy experts, and will identify the greatest impacts and options for appropriate state and local government action.
Op Ed
Transportation
The MTA's Closely Guarded Secret
New Yorkers should be told how much it would cost to fix the entire transit system
December 19, 2017
At next month’s State of the State address, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to unveil a congestion-pricing proposal that would generate a dedicated funding stream for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Letter
Transportation
CBC Urges Governor to Veto Two Free Transfers Legislation
December 14, 2017
CBC calls on Governor Andrew Cuomo to veto bill that would require the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to provide two free transfers between subways and buses within a two-hour period.
Op Ed
State Budget
Repeal the Film Tax Credit, But Don't Expect Savings Just Yet
Even if this wasteful program is killed in 2018, its expenditures will continue for years
December 13, 2017
The Citizens Budget Commission is a long-time critic of the New York State Film Tax Credit program and supports its repeal. However, due to some unusual provisions of state tax law, repeal of the credit will not yield immediate state savings.
Statement
Transportation
Statement on the Mayor’s Proposal to Raise Revenue for the MTA
through an Increase in the NYC Personal Income Tax
August 07, 2017
Mayor de Blasio’s proposal to raise the top rate on the personal income tax is not an appropriate way to raise funds.
Op Ed
Transportation
Shared sacrifice to save the subways
It's not just the mayor and governor; transit workers and motorists must chip in, too
July 28, 2017
Neither the “city” nor the “state” is a person with a bank account: it is taxpayers who are being called upon to foot the bill. Motorists and workers should also share the burden.
Statement
Taxes
Statement on Property Tax Lawsuit
April 25, 2017
A judicial review based on objective evidence presented in a public forum can be a catalyst for constructive change of the seriously flawed NYC property tax.
Op Ed
Transportation
Funding Fares Should Be the City's Responsiblity
April 02, 2017
If the mayor supports the policy, it should be a priority that is accommodated within the city’s financial plan.
Letter
Transportation
Letter to MTA on Fare and Toll Increases
January 23, 2017
The MTA Board should continue the policy of regular and predictable fare increases.
Op Ed
Transportation
Make the MetroCard a gateway to opportunity, not a barrier
Transit should be half-price for the working poor
January 08, 2017
Half-priced metrocards for low-income adults should be paid for by the City, not the MTA. The City already supports reduced fares for the elderly and disabled.
Letter
Taxes
CBC Recommendations to the New York State Tax Relief Commission
November 26, 2013
This letter to the NYS Tax Relief Commission includes cautions about the State's ability to commit to large new property tax relief programs, and recommendations for providing better relief with the $4 billion the State spends on current programs.
Letter
Transportation
CBC Calls for Improved Budget Process, More Transparency at the Port Authority
July 16, 2013
The CBC urged the Port Authority to improve its budget process and make it more transparent. The letter offered six recommendations to resolve these problems, such as long-term planning, regular reporting, and detailed budgeting.
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.
Op Ed
City Budget
The Big Difference in Next Year's New York City Budget
February 23, 2012
Earlier this month, Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented New York City's Financial Plan for the next four years. It demonstrates a stark new reality: there is no large surplus of revenues, as there has been in past years, to help balance the budget.
Op Ed
Capital Spending
Think Small to Think Big
July 10, 2011
In the July 2011 edition of the PPP Journal, Senior Research Associate Maria Doulis reviews the success of public-private partnerships in NYC and considers opportunities for pursuing additional PPPs.
Op Ed
Transportation
MTA Bus Service: Lots of Passengers, Limited Efficiency
May 17, 2011
CBC Executive Vice President and Director of Research Chuck Brecher pens an op-ed on our recent report comparing the MTA's unit costs with other large urban transit agencies in the United States.
Op Ed
State Budget
Bravo on Budget; Now to Lawmaking
April 02, 2011
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state legislative leaders deserve credit for agreeing on a budget that breaks some bad habits. It was on time, reins in spending that was growing at an unsustainable pace, and minimizes the facile devices that checkered past budgets—deficit borrowing, tax hikes, one shots and other gimmickry.
Op Ed
Transportation
Down Bound Train
October 28, 2006
In September 2006, Peter Kalikow, chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, eliminated a five percent fare increase for subways, buses and train on the grounds that revenues are running ahead of schedule. CBC recommends two strategies: 1) a greater commitment to productivity enhancements in order to reduce the rate of cost increases and 2) increasing revenue.