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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.
Letter
Pensions & Benefits
CBC Encourages Governor Cuomo to Veto Four Pension Sweeteners
July 13, 2015
This letter calls for vetoing four pension sweeteners (A7490/S3010, A6771A/S4907, A5327C/S3948B, and A7547/S5785) that would begin to undo savings from hard-won pension reforms.
Letter
Economic Development
CBC Urges Governor Cuomo to Improve Practices of Industrial Development Agencies
July 13, 2015
This letter calls on the Governor to sign A7915/S5867, which would improve the effectiveness of millions of dollars in tax breaks awarded by Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs).
Statement
State Budget
Statement on New York State End of Session Agreement
June 25, 2015
The resolution (albeit short term for some) of several issues of great importance to New York - 421a, rent regulation, the property tax cap, and mayoral control of schools - is welcome news. However, the last minute addition of large spending commitments is fiscally troubling.
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
Economic Development
What's the Return on Investment for New York's Economic Development Efforts?
March 22, 2015
New York State's economic development programs have long been the subject of debate because it is difficult to measure the benefits they produce. Are the State's considerable investments worthwhile? Although their political value is clear, their economic value is not.
Letter
State Budget
Recommendations on the FY 2016 Executive Budget
February 25, 2015
CBC's recommendations to the State legislature cover six proposals that deserve support, three proposals that should be improved, and three proposals that should be rejected.
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.
Op Ed
Pensions & Benefits
NY Needs Real Pension Reform
December 07, 2010
Senior Research Associate Maria Doulis pens an op-ed on the need to reform public employee pensions that costs state and local governments nearly $1.5 billion.
Op Ed
Health Care
Where Cuomo Should Cut Medicaid
November 29, 2010
Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo, facing a $9 billion projected gap in the state budget when he takes office in January, should move quickly to rein in the state's out-of-control Medicaid spending.
Op Ed
State Budget
Fill the Gaps: End Protected Overspending
November 07, 2010
CBC President Carol Kellermann offers advise to the upcoming Cuomo administration on the State budget, namely to end overspending in the areas of school aid, Medicaid and employee compensation.
Letter
Transportation
CBC Encourages MTA to Link Fares to Operating Expenses; Explore Peak Pricing
September 30, 2010
The CBC seeks to stress two points: 1) the fare increases to be approved for January 2011 and proposed for January 2013 should move toward establishing a long-term policy to cover half of operating expenses with fare revenue, and 2) the MTA should explore the feasibility of incorporating the practice of “peak pricing" for subways and buses.
Op Ed
Transportation
Keeping the City from Falling Apart
July 28, 2010
With the city's 2011 operating budget recently approved it is worth asking how well current budgets provide for repair and maintenance of our roads, bridges, tunnels, parks and other public infrastructure. The answer is disappointing.
Letter
Pensions & Benefits
CBC Encourages Governor Paterson to Veto Benefit Sweeteners
July 22, 2010
The fiscal realities of the time have not deterred the Legislature from advancing dozens of bills enhancing benefits for State and local employees and retirees. Three were already sent to you for consideration this week; another will be shortly. We are writing to ask that you veto them.