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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.
Report
Transportation
It’s Only Fair
Policies to Reduce Fare and Toll Evasion Are Critical to Transit Sustainability
April 02, 2024
In 2023, the cost to the MTA alone was more than $700 million, which evidence suggests is growing.
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.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
Giving Credit Where It’s Due? New York City’s $1.3 Billion in Health Insurance Savings
December 28, 2014
In its recent mid-year budget modification the de Blasio administration credited a coalition of municipal employee unions with achieving $1.3 billion in savings in the City’s employee and retiree health insurance costs. Yet the unions have not agreed to any changes in the plan, and the City and the unions have taken no actions to reduce costs. How can this be?
Video
Capital Spending
Modernization of New York's Built Environment: If Not Now, When?
How NY's Procurement Laws Hinder Effective Project Delivery
November 12, 2014
Video of a panel discussion examining the hindrances of NY's procurement rules and detailing how alternative" service delivery methodologies contributed to the success of both public and private projects in NY.
Report
Transportation
Misplaced Priorities in the MTA's Capital Plan
October 23, 2014
The plan identifies $16.9 billion in available funding, but a gap of about $15.2 billion remains unfunded. This CBC study focuses on how the money would be spent and recommends that the proposed plan be revised to address three serious shortcomings.
Blog
Transportation
At PATH a Higher Fare is a Fairer Fare
September 29, 2014
On October 1, 2014, the single-ride fare for the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH)—the rail system connecting Newark, Harrison, Jersey City, and Hoboken to Midtown and Lower Manhattan—will increase by 25 cents. Many riders will complain, but the simple truth is that the higher fare is a fairer fare.
Blog
Transportation
Agency Focus: NYS DOT
Budget Analysis
September 28, 2014
Two major challenges face the New York State Department of Transportation: undertaking a comprehensive needs assessment and identifying resources needed to implement a capital plan.
Blog
City Budget
Agency Focus: DEP
Budget Analysis
September 21, 2014
Three entities govern New York City's water and sewer system: the Department of Environmental Protection operates and maintains the system; the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority (WFA) borrows to finance capital investments; and the Water Board sets rates for customers to meet financing needs. Learn more.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
LIRR Pension Fraud Could Happen Again
August 04, 2014
Summarizes findings from a GAO report indicating the federal agency administering disability pensions for those workers had not done enough to prevent a repeat of a widespread fraud scheme by LIRR employees uncovered in 2008.
Blog
Capital Spending
An Update on Port Authority Budget Reform
July 22, 2014
How far has the Port Authority come on improving its budget process, long-term financial viability, and accountability to the public?
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
Five Benefit Sweeteners Pass in State Legislature
June 19, 2014
Five bills on CBC’s Benefit Sweetener Scorecard have passed both houses of the State Legislature in 2014. These bills are highlighted in red on the Scorecard.
Blog
Public Workforce
Three Questions about 1,000 New Police Officers
June 18, 2014
As the New York City budget for fiscal year 2015 nears adoption, one of the more expensive Council initiatives, at an estimated cost of almost $100 million annually, is the hiring of 1,000 new police officers to increase staffing at police precincts.
Video
City Budget
The NYC Budget and Teachers Contract
A Panel Discussion
June 17, 2014
The NYC Budget and Teachers Contract: A Panel Discussion at the Manhattan Institute.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
Benefit Sweeteners on the Move in State Legislature
June 15, 2014
Last week five bills on CBC’s Benefit Sweetener Scorecard passed one house of the State Legislature. The most expensive bill (A7862/S5644) was passed in the Senate and would increase pension benefits for SUNY police officers to half-pay after 25 years.
Statement
Pensions & Benefits
Statement on Commissioner Linn's Response to CBC Letter on NYC Health Agreement With the MLC
June 09, 2014
The CBC appreciates receiving Commissioner Linn’s response to CBC President Carol Kellermann’s letter relating to potential savings from health insurance reforms under the recent agreement with the Municipal Labor Committee.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
An Expensive Pension Enhancement Bill is on the Move
June 08, 2014
About the bill to increase disability pension benefits for police officers hired after July 1, 2009, when a more financially sustainable “Tier III” plan went into effect.
Letter
Pensions & Benefits
CBC Proposes Guidelines for Determination of Health Insurance Savings Between City and MLC
Letter to Commissioner Robert Linn
June 05, 2014
This letter suggests guidelines for effective implementation of the agreement between the City and the Municipal Labor Committee to generate $3.4 billion in health care savings between fiscal years 2015 and 2018.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
2014 Benefit Sweetener Scorecard
May 11, 2014
Reviews initial set of bill that “sweeten” or enrich public employee pensions and benefits introduced in the last weeks of the 2014 session.