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Blog
Capital Spending
Don’t Pass the Capital Pork
June 07, 2019
Like most other spending decisions, capital spending is best decided during budget negotiations.
Blog
Public Workforce
59 New Bills Added to Benefit Sweetener Scorecard
June 06, 2019
In the remaining weeks of the legislative session, members will propose to enhance the benefits of State and local public employees and retirees.
Blog
Education
Adopted Budget Continues Unequal Access to a Sound Basic Education
May 22, 2019
It will cost NYS school districts approximately $62.6 billion to provide a sound basic education to all students, yet several districts will not have enough funding.
Blog
Public Workforce
NYS Legislature Introduces 130 Benefit Sweetener Bills
May 01, 2019
For the remaining seven weeks of the legislative session, members will propose to enhance the benefits of State and local public employees and retirees.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
2019 Benefit Sweetener Scorecard
New York State Bill Tracker
May 01, 2019
For the remaining seven weeks of the legislative session, members will propose to enhance the benefits of State and local public employees and retirees.
Blog
Education
Funding a Sound Basic Education in 2020
March 07, 2019
Despite significant funding increases over the past decade, some districts in New York State still do not have the resources to provide a sound basic education.
Blog
City Budget
Reduction in Uniformed Overtime Is Still Needed
July 12, 2018
Without workrule changes the City’s uniformed overtime caps are unlikely to be successful. In fact, several agencis have already exceeded their FY 2018 caps.
Blog
Public Workforce
The Cost of a Growing City Workforce
Ballooning Budgets and Long-term Liabilities
July 10, 2018
NYC’s municipal workforce is projected to reach a record 331,520 employees by the end of fiscal year 2019. Headcount expansion has a significant impact on the City’s budget and long-term financial position.
Blog
Education
Absent Teacher Reserve Costs $136 Million and Needs Reform
June 14, 2018
Teachers in the Absentee Teacher Reserve (ATR) will cost the City $136 million in this school year. The City should pursue reforms to the ATR, such as a 6-month time limit, in upcoming labor negotiations with the UFT.
Blog
Capital Spending
Rightsizing and Right Timing New York City’s Capital Plan
March 14, 2018
Despite a pledge to collaborate with the City Council on a realistic Capital Commitment Plan, the City's overly ambitious proposal is neither realistic nor transparent.
Blog
City Budget
City's Fourth Extension of the School Bus Grant Program Should Be Rejected
March 08, 2018
The City Council should reject this program, and all new school bus contracts should be awarded with an eye toward realizing savings in the costs of pupil transportation, now more than $1.2 billion.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
A Budget Proposal That Seems Fiscally Responsible, But Doesn’t Tackle the True Problem
February 22, 2018
It's time to eliminate the expensive and risky benefits provided by the TDA.
Blog
Education
Governor’s Education Proposal Pierces Cap And Lacks Needed Reforms
February 20, 2018
The NYS FY2018-2019 Executive Budget increases school aid by $769 million, or 3 percent, to $26.4 billion- twice the increase allowed by the school aid cap.
Blog
Transportation
Tsk-tsk on Governor’s TIF Proposal
February 02, 2018
The FY 2019 Executive Budget proposed to allow the MTA to create tax increment financing districts in NYC to raise revenue for capital improvements. Though TIFs can play a useful role, the proposal is flawed.
Blog
Education
Ripe for Reform
$466 Million in Education Aid
January 02, 2018
New York State will send $25 billion to local school districts during the 2017-2018 school year, accounting for approximately 37 percent of school district revenues.
Blog
City Budget
NYC Resident Feedback Survey: Issues Requiring More Attention from City Government
October 20, 2017
New Yorkers tell us what the biggest issues are requiring the attention of city government. Click to see how your neighbors responded.
Blog
Education
New York Per Pupil Education Spending is Nation’s Highest
Where Does the Money Come From?
September 07, 2017
Based on the most recent national data, New York spends more per pupil than any other state: $21,206 per pupil compared to the national average of $11,392 as of the 2014-2015 school year.
Blog
Transportation
Is the Enhanced Station Initiative a Good Idea?
July 20, 2017
Is the enhancement of 32 stations at a cost of nearly $1 billion worth the trade-off against other capital needs?
Blog
Housing
$1.9 Billion More For Affordable Housing, But Plan Lacks Specifics
June 30, 2017
City documents offer few details on how the new funding will be used to enhance different levels of affordability.
Blog
Education
State Budget Increases School Aid Without Needed Reforms
April 20, 2017
In order to adequately fund education in all districts without excessive state spending, more comprehensive modifications are required.