More On Advocacy
Search Within Advocacy
Showing 261 - 280 of 356
Op Ed
City Budget
Reducing Organic Waste Without Increasing Costs
February 03, 2016
The Department of Sanitation's focus on organic waste is merited by the size of the waste stream (more than 1 million tons annually) and environmental benefits of reducing greenhouse gases through use of alternative disposal strategies, such as composting, rather than transport to distant landfills.
Testimony
Taxes
Testimony on Flaws in New York City's Real Property Taxation System
Submitted to the NYS Assembly Committee on Real Property Taxation
January 22, 2016
The two most significant issues are: 1) among residential properties, rental buildings are taxed more heavily than single family homes, and 2) within the two subgroups of residential properties—small homes and large rental buildings—property tax rates vary widely.
Op Ed
City Budget
What de Blasio’s Budget is Missing
January 21, 2016
The mayor’s plan increases spending without any increases to tax rates, thanks to rising property values and continued economic growth: Employment has reached an all-time high, real wages are growing and tourists are still flocking to the city in record numbers.
Op Ed
State Budget
A $15 Public-Worker Wage Will Cost a Lot
January 03, 2016
There is a growing movement in New York, led by low-wage workers and unions and now championed by Gov. Cuomo, to raise the legally minimum pay to $15 per hour — a sizable increase over the current statewide minimum of $8.75, which rose on Dec. 31 to $9.
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.
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.
Statement
City Budget
Statement on FY16 Adopted Budget for New York City
June 22, 2015
The FY 16 adopted budget announced by the Mayor and the Council this evening adds approximately $200 million in spending for additional police, social service providers and other programs.
Op Ed
City Budget
New York City Should Be Cautious About Increasing Its Debt
June 16, 2015
New York City has more outstanding debt than ever before, and Mayor Bill de Blasio has proposed a 10-year capital plan that will increase it substantially.
Op Ed
City Budget
The New York City Housing Authority's Bold Plan Deserves Support
May 27, 2015
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Shola Olatoye, Chair and CEO of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), released a 10-year roadmap called "NextGeneration NYCHA". The roadmap is a bold plan that deserves to be supported.
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.
Statement
City Budget
Statement on Mayor de Blasio's Executive Budget for FY 2016
May 07, 2015
The continuing strong performance of the local economy provides a favorable context for the Executive Budget released by Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Op Ed
City Budget
The Importance of Increasing Efficiency in New York City Government
April 26, 2015
Mayor Bill de Blasio has thus far declined to require city agencies to meet targets for increasing efficiency in the delivery of government services. In doing so, he has broken a pattern established by every mayor since the fiscal crisis in the 1970s, and he's taking a gamble that may come back to haunt the city's taxpayers.
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony Examining Health Care Savings Under Recent Collective Bargaining Agreements
Delivered to the NYC Council Committee on Finance
April 01, 2015
Savings that would have normally been reserved for general budget needs—such as funding libraries or maintaining public parks—and are attributable to a national slowdown in health care costs, are now being credited to the health savings agreement.
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
City Budget
Residential Garbage Fees Vital to Achieving NYC's Environmental Goals and Lowering Costs
February 17, 2015
Landfilled trash managed by New York City's Department of Sanitation costs $300 million each year and produces more than 1 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The high expense and environmental impact result from the City's low residential diversion rate and high reliance on private and municipal landfills in faraway locations.
Statement
City Budget
Statement on Mayor de Blasio's Preliminary FY 2016 Budget
February 09, 2015
The Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2016 reflects the good news that New York City's economy continues to thrive and provide additional revenues, while retaining a large general reserve and other funds for potential risks.
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
City Budget
Reduce New York City's High Cost of Garbage Collection
September 28, 2014
Municipal garbage collection in New York City is exceptionally expensive - the Department of Sanitation's costs are more than double private-sector charges and much higher than collection costs in other cities.
Op Ed
Capital Spending
What New York Should Do With $4B
July 23, 2014
New York State will soon receive more than $4 billion in settlements from large financial institutions. It is an unprecedented windfall and it is generating discussion about what to do with the money.
Statement
Pensions & Benefits
Statement on Commissioner Linn's Response to CBC Letter on NYC Health Agreement With the MLC
June 09, 2014
The CBC appreciates receiving Commissioner Linn’s response to CBC President Carol Kellermann’s letter relating to potential savings from health insurance reforms under the recent agreement with the Municipal Labor Committee.