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Testimony
Transportation
CBC Urges MTA to Publish TYNA Addendum Detailing Costs, Benefits of State of Good Repair Projects
Submitted to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
May 22, 2024
CBC again urges the MTA to publish an addendum—prior to the release of the capital program—that includes detailed estimates of the costs, benefits, and timelines, for all assets and investment needs in the categories of “Rebuild” and “Improve” the system, including those that bring assets to and keep the system in a state of good repair.
Statement
Pensions & Benefits
Statement on Proposed Tier 6 Benefit Sweetener as Part of State’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
March 27, 2024
The proposed change to Tier 6 pension benefits, which will cost the State and local governments in New York nearly $400 million per year, is unnecessary, expensive, and should be rejected.
Testimony
Transportation
Public Comment on the Proposed Structure For the Central Business District Tolling Program
Submitted to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
February 29, 2024
While the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) has long held the position that there should not be credits for bridge or tunnel crossings, we believe the Traffic Mobility Review Board’s (TMRB) congestion pricing toll recommendations, as a whole, are reasonable.
Letter
Education
CBC Urges Approval of Preschool Special Education Oversight Bill
December 10, 2013
CBC urges the approval of A7302-A/S5568-A, a bill that will improve the oversight of preschool special education program providers and reduce fraud, abuse and mismanagement.
Op Ed
Economic Development
Find Ways to Attract Talent
August 11, 2013
CBC's Director of New York City Studies Maria Doulis pens an op-ed in the New York Times' Room for Debate on how the next mayor can achieve important economic development goals: more jobs, a more diversified industry mix, a larger middle class and enhanced entrepreneurship.
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.
Letter
Education
CBC Encourages Governor Cuomo to Approve Bill on Preschool Special Education Program Providers
July 02, 2013
In a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo, the CBC urges approval of A7302-A/S5568-A, which will improve the oversight of preschool special education program providers.
Op Ed
Economic Development
Remaining the World's Most Competitive City
June 18, 2013
A study released earlier this month by The Economist Intelligence Unit held good news for New York City, which ranked first among 120 global cities based on ability to attract capital, businesses and talent. But the competition is fierce, and is not limited to international megacities like London, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.
Op Ed
Public Workforce
The Next Mayor's Biggest Challenge
May 19, 2013
As the New York City mayor's race builds momentum, candidates are discussing a wide range of issues - but not how they would tackle the biggest challenge the next mayor will certainly face: negotiating municipal labor contracts.
Op Ed
Public Workforce
Finding a Better Way on Labor Bargaining
May 18, 2013
Taxpayers are at a disadvantage in collective bargaining with police and firefighter unions in New York state because of the way binding arbitration is done. The culprits are provisions of a statute, known as the Taylor Law, that expire July 1.
Op Ed
Pensions & Benefits
Reining in New York City's Skyrocketing Health Insurance Costs
April 17, 2013
The City's employee unions, whose contracts have expired, may prefer to wait and negotiate with the next mayor, but the election won't change the fiscal reality: the City's share of health insurance premiums for city workers and retirees is high in comparison to norms in the private and public sectors.
Letter
State Budget
Recommendations on the FY2013-2014 New York State Budget
March 07, 2013
In a letter to the state legislature the CBC makes recommendations for the fiscal year 2013-14 New York State budget.
Op Ed
Economic Development
NY's People Strengths Need Constant Work
February 09, 2013
Human capital is a hot topic. Thriving in the information economy requires a highly skilled workforce with specialized expertise and an ability to innovate. Attracting such a workforce is essential to New York's ability to retain strength in core industries and cultivate emerging ones.
Op Ed
Public Workforce
City Workers, Pay Your Share
February 03, 2013
The cost of health insurance for New York City public employees and retirees is projected to grow by almost 40% by 2016 — rising to nearly $7 billion a year. That growth will amount to $1.5 billion of the $1.9 billion budget deficit projected for 2016.
Testimony
Transportation
Testimony on 2010 MTA Capital Plan
Delivered to State Senate Standing Committees
December 03, 2009
Testimony before the New York State Senate Standing Committees on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions and Investigations and Government Operations on the MTA's 2010-2014 capital plan.
Testimony
Economic Development
Testimony on Empire Zone Program
Submitted to NY City Council Economic Development Committee
November 24, 2009
The CBC argued that the Empire Zone program's mission has been lost, the program's objectives are not measured consistently, local agencies do not hold firms accountable for the economic commitments they make, and the program is failing to meet the targets firms set when they are approved for benefits.
Testimony
Energy & Environment
Testimony on NY Power Authority Economic Development Programs
Delivered to a Joint Session of State Committees
September 23, 2009
A testimony before a number of State Senate and Assembly committees which reviews the findings of a recent CBC report on the efficacy of NYPA's economic development programs.
Testimony
Transportation
Testimony on Challenges Facing the MTA
Submitted to Senate Finance Committee
September 03, 2009
Testimony of CBC President Carol Kellermann to the New York State Senate Finance Committee regarding the critical challenges that will face the MTA in the coming years, including balancing the MTA's operating budget, financing new capital investments, and planning and implementing capital projects.
Op Ed
State Budget
Bolster Budget
Pare Spending, Reform Pensions, Protect MTA
July 26, 2009
This op-ed was the CBC's contribution to a series of short op-ed's submitted by advocates around the state to Crain's New York Business. Here the CBC strikes at the core issues that severely impact the State's budget.
Letter
Transportation
CBC and Others Outline a Plan to Finance Long-Term Capital Needs of the MTA
May 05, 2009
This letter from the CBC and other advocates outlines a plan to finance the long-term capital needs of the MTA and its immediate operating deficit. The mobility tax should be used for expenses related to the MTA's capital plan, not for operating expenses after the first year.