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Op Ed
Transportation
Keeping the City from Falling Apart
July 28, 2010
With the city's 2011 operating budget recently approved it is worth asking how well current budgets provide for repair and maintenance of our roads, bridges, tunnels, parks and other public infrastructure. The answer is disappointing.
Op Ed
Housing
Rent Regulation: A Big Tax On NY
The Law Needs a Massive Overhaul
July 06, 2010
The push to continue rent regulation is fueled by far more populist rhetoric than economic reason. As a corrective, a new report by the Citizens Budget Commission reveals some startling facts about the current system.
Op Ed
City Budget
Time for Prudence in City Benefits
April 10, 2010
Executive Vice President and Director of Research Charles Brecher pens this op-ed that discusses ways to rein in growth of the City's retirement benefits, notably pensions and health insurance.
Op Ed
State Budget
No More Aid for the Affluent
March 27, 2010
CBC President Carol Kellermann explains how the State can cut spending equitably in the three largest areas of the budget: Medicaid, education, and employee benefits.
Op Ed
City Budget
How to Save $2B Without Slashing City Services
March 03, 2010
Research Director Chuck Brecher outlines 5 alternative solutions for saving up to $2 billion in Mayor Bloomberg's preliminary budget. Each of these proposals would avoid widespread layoffs and the reduction of other vital services.
Op Ed
City Budget
City, State Budget Woes
January 16, 2010
CBC President Carol Kellermann writes a letter to Crain's urging the City to not avoid cost cutting in the face of better-than-expected tax revenue.
Op Ed
Pensions & Benefits
NYC's Gold-Plated Worker Perks
December 20, 2009
CBC President Carol Kellermann discusses a new survey from the CBC and the Partnership for New York City that reveals that municipal employee pension and health-insurance benefits are out of balance with the job market.
Op Ed
City Budget
New Priorities for Mayor Bloomberg's Third Term
November 15, 2009
CBC President Carol Kellermann outlines the fiscal priorities that need to be addressed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in his third term in this op-ed published in the Huffington Post.
Op Ed
State Budget
New York Must Slash Spending
It's the State's Only Way Out of this Huge, Growing Budget Hole
October 14, 2009
This op-ed explains that the state can no longer tax and borrow its way out of the current economic crisis and remain competitive as a place to live, work and do business. Spending cuts are required, and they won't be easy.
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.
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.
Op Ed
State Budget
Budget Busters
August 18, 2008
CBC President Carol Kellermann discusses Governor David Paterson's offer of a menu of more than $1 billion in savings proposals from which he challenged legislators to select $600 million worth when they convened in Albany for a special session.
Op Ed
Pensions & Benefits
Paterson Must Veto Pocket-Picking Mandate
June 26, 2008
The Legislature recently passed a bill -- A9393A/S6457A -- that would prevent local officials from achieving savings in the skyrocketing cost of providing health insurance for government retirees and their dependents by prohibiting any reduction in benefits.
Op Ed
State Budget
Overhaul Prisons to Cut Costs
February 18, 2008
One place where the State can extract savings is in its prison system, an option that this op-ed discusses. New York simply does not need all 69 of its correctional facilities.
Op Ed
Transportation
This is a Smart, Fair Fare Hike
December 16, 2007
This op-ed expresses support for an MTA fare hike. MTA riders are best served by a transit system that is affordable as well as reliable, safe and accessible. Freezing fares may be politically attractive, but it would do a disservice to riders by hurting service and threatening the MTA's future.
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.
Op Ed
State Budget
NY Budget: Better Luck Next Year
April 18, 2007
In this op-ed published in the New York Post, CBC President Diana Fortuna writes that, while the 2007-2008 New York State budget negotiations resulted in a few modest reforms, the budget process is still highly dysfunctional, and New Yorkers are still the nation's most heavily taxed people.
Op Ed
State Budget
A Decent Start: Albany's First Fiscal Fixes
January 23, 2007
In this op-ed published in the New York Post, CBC Research Director Charles Brecher commends Governor Spitzer and the State Legislature for agreeing on legislation that aims to enhance the timeliness and transparency of the state budget.
Op Ed
Transportation
Down Bound Train
October 28, 2006
In September 2006, Peter Kalikow, chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, eliminated a five percent fare increase for subways, buses and train on the grounds that revenues are running ahead of schedule. CBC recommends two strategies: 1) a greater commitment to productivity enhancements in order to reduce the rate of cost increases and 2) increasing revenue.
Op Ed
State Budget
Debt Donnybrook: Legislative Battle NY Needs
October 22, 2006
To rein in runaway debt, CBC recommended that State leaders enact four high-priority reforms: 1) Stop issuing State-funded debt to cover operating deficits; 2) Make authorities' borrowing part of the State's capital plan; 3) Institutionalize rigorous financial review of authority borrowing; and 4) Reduce future debt for capital spending.