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Letter
State Budget
CBC Encourages Governor Cuomo to Veto Bill on School Bus Contracts in NYC
November 18, 2016
This bill imposes two unnecessary and costly requirements on the City’s procurement process for pupil transportation.
Letter
Economic Development
CBC Encourages Governor Cuomo to Veto New Tax Credits for Music and Digital Gaming Media Production
November 17, 2016
This bill would create new tax credits for music production and digital gaming media production, with both credits costing $25 million annually for the next three years. The total cost is estimated to be $150 million.
Letter
Economic Development
Letter from Good Government Groups On Economic Development Contracts
October 26, 2016
In order to restore the public’s faith in state economic development contracting, end the role of state-affiliated non-profits and SUNY in awarding those contracts, and transfer all economic development procurement, contract awards, and management to ESDC.
Op Ed
Economic Development
Economics of State's Initiatives
October 23, 2016
Recent indictments have put a major New York state economic development initiative — the so-called Buffalo Billion — in the forefront of the media and raised questions of alleged bid-rigging.
Letter
Economic Development
Watchdog Groups Call for Fundamental Reforms
Change Needed in the Aftermath of Massive State Bid Rigging Scandal
September 29, 2016
We write in the aftermath of the recent federal and state criminal complaints against many of the major players involved in New York’s Upstate economic development program to call on you to undertake major reforms.
Testimony
Economic Development
Testimony on Regular Evaluation of Tax Expenditures
Submitted to the New York City Council Committee on Finance
September 22, 2016
The impact of tax expenditures should be regularly assessed to determine whether they are inducing behavior or subsidizing activity that would happen anyway.
Testimony
Economic Development
Testimony on Economic Development Programs
Delivered to the NYS Assembly Committee on Economic Development
August 03, 2016
Project-specific appropriations for economic development should cease at least until eligibility criteria are established and accountability mechanisms enhanced.
Op Ed
State Budget
What Will Be The Long-Term Impact Of The State Budget Agreement?
April 03, 2016
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget projected out-year deficits of $1.2 billion, $3 billion and $3.4 billion in state fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020 (before unspecified savings associated with adherence to a 2 percent state operating spending growth cap).
Letter
State Budget
Recommendations on the FY 2017 Executive Budget
February 25, 2016
CBC offers recommendations for legislative action on the Governor’s Executive Budget for fiscal year 2017. The recommendations cover four proposals that deserve support, five proposals that should be modified, and four proposals that should be rejected.
Op Ed
Pensions & Benefits
Fringe Benefits Challenge New York School Budgets
July 20, 2015
The problems facing school districts are complex, but one common challenge is the unrelenting rise in fringe benefit costs.
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).
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
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.
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
Education
Testimony on Improving the NYC Department of Education's Fiscal Transparency
Submitted to the NY City Council's Joint Education and Contract Committee
April 11, 2009
CBC submits this written testimony to the City Council joint Education and Contracts Committee hearing on oversight of the Department of Education's contracting and procurement process; CBC has two recommendations to increase accountability and transparency with regard to all of DOE’s fiscal operations, including contracting and procurement.
Letter
Economic Development
CBC and Others Urge the State Legislature to Reform Empire Zones
February 11, 2009
This letter to the State Legislature, written in conjunction with the NYS AFL-CIO, the Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central New York and the Partnership for New York City, is in support of Governor David Paterson's proposal to scale back the almost $600 million-a-year Empire Zone Program.
Op Ed
State Budget
An Easy Trim
December 15, 2007
This op-ed states that if State leaders want to avoid tax increases in what is already one of the most heavily taxed states in the nation, they will need to find savings of about $6 billion to $7 billion per year over the next three years.