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Op Ed
State Budget
Priorities for Governor Cuomo's Next Budget
December 17, 2012
Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature have successfully tackled serious budget issues in recent years, but important challenges remain. These must be addressed in his next budget in order to improve the state's fiscal condition and give local governments better tools to manage their structural deficits.
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
City Budget
Cleaning Up NY's Garbage Disposal
June 03, 2012
New York City generates more than 25 tons of garbage per minute. That's 14 million tons per year, and the city's Department of Sanitation spends $2 billion annually to collect and dispose of about a third of it.
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
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
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.
Testimony
Economic Development
Testimony to the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Economic Development
January 31, 2012
First, the legislature should not authorize additional funds for another round of regional competition until the “hydra” of economic development is tamed. And second, they should improve the accountability and transparency of all expenditures in this area.
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.
Testimony
Energy & Environment
Testimony on NYC Solid Waste Management Practices
Submitted to NYC Council Committee on Sanitation & Solid Waste Management
October 27, 2011
New York is being wasteful in its waste management practices. We could save tens of millions, perhaps even hundreds of millions, of dollars without harming the environment by more sensibly managing New Yorkers’ solid waste. An improved system for waste collection and disposal could prevent further reductions in essential services in coming budgets.
Op Ed
Economic Development
Four Principles for Governor Cuomo's Regional Economic Development Councils
September 27, 2011
CBC Vice President and Director of State Studies Elizabeth Lynam pens an op-ed listing four principles to govern the operation of the new regional economic development councils. These principles will help the state face the sizable challenges ahead and avoid the mistakes made in past economic development efforts.
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
Economic Development
Cuomo's Job is to Deliver Jobs
January 31, 2011
An op-ed penned by CBC President Carol Kellermann and SEIU Local 32BJ President Mike Fishman on the need to revamp New York State's economic development programs.
Op Ed
Transportation
The MTA: Who'll Pay?
December 02, 2008
This op-ed by CBC President Carol Kellermann and Research Director Charles Brecher proposes the most equitable division of responsibility for mass transit in the metro area. CBC believes that the appropriate balance among riders, car and truck drivers, and the general public (in the form of tax subsidies) is about 50/25/25.