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Testimony
Pensions & Benefits
The Health Care Savings Agreement: A Look Back and a Look Forward
Testimony Submitted to the New York City Council Committees on Finance and Civil Service and Labor
November 29, 2018
Savings to health benefit expenditures are crucial to attaining labor settlements that are fair and reasonable for both City employees and taxpayers.
Letter
Pensions & Benefits
Governor Cuomo Should Veto Costly Employee and Retiree Benefits
A Letter to the Governor
November 27, 2018
CBC Recommends veto of A8164-b/S3770-b, A8402-b/S6435-b, A9909/S7705, A9910/S7704, and A10735/S7933.
Testimony
Housing
Testimony on the NYCHA Physical Needs Assessment
Submitted to the New York City Council Committee on Public Housing
November 15, 2018
NYCHA has an astounding $32 billion in capital needs, a nearly fivefold increase over the last decade. Today nearly all its properties require substantial rehabilitation.
Letter
Capital Spending
City Should Evaluate Project Labor Agreements
Letter to Mayor de Blasio
July 05, 2018
With the Capital Commitment Plan now topping $82 billion, it is more important than ever to find ways to reduce costs and speed up project delivery.
Statement
Housing
Statement on NYCHA Physical Needs Assessment
July 02, 2018
Radical changes need to be undertaken immediately
Op Ed
Pensions & Benefits
Pension sweeteners a bitter prospect for New York City
New York Daily News
June 15, 2018
The City Council adopted a budget for fiscal year 2019 that totals almost $90 billion. Almost $10 billion will be devoted to pensions for public employees, and the amount is projected to grow. And yet, for some, this is not enough.
Op Ed
Transportation
Four years after 'Bridgegate,' Port's fiefdoms are coming back
Crain's New York Business
May 30, 2018
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a crucial agency, but it is badly governed and in need of reform.
Testimony
Capital Spending
Testimony on the City of New York’s Capital Commitment Plan
Submitted to the NYC Council Committee on Finance and Subcommittee on Capital Budget
March 20, 2018
NYC's Capital Commitment Plan is unrealistic in its ambition, obscures capital priorities, and discourages accountability for completing capital projects efficiently.
Letter
Housing
NYCHA's Project Labor Agreement Needs Evaluation
A Letter to the Mayor and NYCHA Chair
March 05, 2018
Has the PLA between NYCHA and the BCTC delivered on expected savings? An evaluation is needed before any decision to renew the PLA.
Op Ed
State Budget
Albany Handcuffs New York’s Cities
July 04, 2012
Local governments in New York are under serious and growing fiscal pressure, and the Legislature isn’t doing enough to ease the burden. Unfortunately, the Legislature seems oblivious.
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
City Budget
Statement on the CityTime Settlement
March 14, 2012
The $500 million CityTime settlement announced today is welcome news to New Yorkers. It is important that the recouped funds be used, not for short-term budget relief and restorations, but to help defray the costs of the City’s capital program.
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.
Op Ed
Pensions & Benefits
Finally Retire New York's Overpriced Pensions
January 22, 2012
President Carol Kellermann pens an op-ed urging the legislature to pass Governor Cuomo's proposal to modernize the State's pension system by offering new employees a 401(k)-style option.
Op Ed
Pensions & Benefits
Carol Kellermann: Pension Reform is Highest Priority
January 16, 2012
President Carol Kellermann pens an op-ed urging Governor Cuomo to pursue pension reform in his 2012-2013 Executive Budget.