$168.2 billion is the NYS Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019. Dave Friedfel joins WT[D]P to discuss budget growth, school aid, medicaid, economic development, and proposals to deal with the impact of federal tax law changes.

$3.2 billion -- how much New York City spent on economic development in 2016, including tax expenditures, operating costs, and capital spending.

NYCEDC President and CEO James Patchett joins the podcast to discuss the City's development strategy, tax breaks, NYC Ferry and the BQX project.

374 is the number of pages in Governor Cuomo's State of the State policy book. Laura Nahmias of Politico NY joins the podcast to discuss what the new year has in store for State and City politics.

2.7% is the economic growth forecast for 2018 in the Port Authority’s 17-county region, which encompasses more than 200 municipalities. The Port Authority's Chief Economist Alex Heil joined WT[D]P to discuss the economic and transportation trends that impact the Port's bottom line.

The state faces significant fiscal challenges in the coming year amid changes on the federal level. In 2018 the state is estimated to have a budget deficit of as much as $4.6 billion.

NYCED President and CEO James Patchett joined the CBC to discuss the role of NYCEDC during a period of economic growth in New York City.

1996 is the last time a comprehensive regional plan was issued by the Regional Plan Association. Special guest Chris Jones, Senior Vice President and Chief Planner at RPA, joined the podcast to discuss the 4th Regional Plan, which was released last month. The plan contains 61 separate recommendations in four action areas that represent major challenges and areas of opportunity.

10 years is the amount of time the de Blasio administration says it will take to shut down Rikers Island.

Special guest Michael Jacobson is the executive director of the CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance. He was once the City's Correction Commissioner as well as the Probation Commissioner.  He is a member of the Lippman Commission, convened by the City Council to solve the crisis at Rikers. Michael joined the podcast to discuss the Commission's findings--namely to close Rikers and move the inmates to facilities near courthouses and civic centers throughout the boroughs.

$26 billion is the amount of property taxes the City will collect this fiscal year-- it is the largest single source of revenue that funds NYC government. Special guest Martha Stark is a former Commissioner of the Department of Finance. She joined the podcast to discuss the complexities of the system for valuing and taxing real property and explained why reform is badly needed.

44 is the number of days left in term-limited Council Member Daniel Garodnick's tenure. Council Member Garodnick has been a voice of reason in the City Council, having raised important questions about the city budget, economic development, and contracts. He chairs the City Council's Committee on Economic Development, is on the budget negotiating team, and in his final months has been fighting to pass reform of the commercial rent tax.

Governor Andrew Cuomo is back in New York after a rare, overnight trip to California, fundraising with Hollywood executives whose industry has benefited from New York's $420 million film tax credit program.

This event is the first of a series of symposiums on challenges in implementing Medicaid redesign strategies. Keynote address and presentation were given by NYS Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson.