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Podcast episode
City Budget
$780 Million
June 29, 2017
This week's data point is $780 million - the value of contracts involved in the alleged bid-rigging and corruption scandal involving State economic development programs. Special guest New York State Comptroller Tom Dinapoli discusses his proposal for independent review and reform of state procurement practices with Ben Max and Maria Doulis, and Dave Friedfel reviews what else did-- and didn't-- happen in this legislative and budget session.
Podcast episode
City Budget
44%, with Alyssa Katz
June 22, 2017
This week's data point is 44% - the share of New Yorkers who are satisfied with New York City municipal services. Listen to Ben Max, Maria Doulis, and special guest Alyssa Katz of the Daily News discuss the findings of CBC's Citywide Resident Feedback Survey.
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony in Support of the Open Budget Act
Delivered Before the New York City Council Committee on Finance
June 12, 2017
CBC supports Intro #1176 to require OMB to make relevant budgetary documents available on the city’s website; the OpenData web portal; and via an open application program interface in both a human-readable and machine-readable format.
Podcast episode
City Budget
$85.2 Billion, with Maria Doulis
June 01, 2017
New York City recently adopted an $85.2 billion budget. What are the largest aspects of spending, the most contentious parts of the budget deal, and the risks ahead?
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony on the NYC FY2018 Executive Budget
Submitted to the NYC Council Finance Committee
May 25, 2017
As City leaders move toward adopting the budget, CBC recommends greater spending restraint; increasing efficiency savings; bolstering reserves; and improving the capital planning process.
Letter
City Budget
Letter to Governor on 5¢ Plastic Bag Fee
February 08, 2017
CBC urges Gov Cuomo to veto A.04883/S.04158, which would place a moratorium on a 5 cent fee on certain plastic bags in New York City until January 1, 2018.
Testimony
City Budget
Comments on Proposed Small Business Services Rule on Bus Contracts
Pursuant to Section 1301 of the New York City Charter
January 30, 2017
CBC opposes extending the Department of Small Business Services program providing grants to companies that provide school bus transportation in order to maintain the wages and benefits of certain employees for a third year.
Letter
Transportation
Letter to MTA on Fare and Toll Increases
January 23, 2017
The MTA Board should continue the policy of regular and predictable fare increases.
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
Energy & Environment
Testimony to Reducing Food Waste in New York City
Submitted to NYC Council Committee on Solid Waste and Sanitation
June 07, 2016
Unless residential trash collection costs are reduced, new program costs will greatly overwhelm any potential savings from landfill reduction. A significant expansion of food waste collection may also outpace regional processing infrastructure.
Testimony
Pensions & Benefits
Testimony on Health Care Savings Under Recent Collective Bargaining Agreements
Delivered to NYC Council Committees on Finance and Civil Service
February 26, 2016
CBC has been monitoring New York City's efforts to find health savings. CBC has long advocated negotiating changes to health insurance as part of collective bargaining and applauded the labor-management agreement that committed to meet annual savings targets.
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.
Testimony
Taxes
Testimony on Flaws in New York City's Real Property Taxation System
Submitted to the NYS Assembly Committee on Real Property Taxation
January 22, 2016
The two most significant issues are: 1) among residential properties, rental buildings are taxed more heavily than single family homes, and 2) within the two subgroups of residential properties—small homes and large rental buildings—property tax rates vary widely.
Testimony
Capital Spending
Testimony On Ten-Year Capital Strategy and Capital Budget
Delivered to NY City Council Committee on Finance
May 18, 2015
The Mayor's Ten-Year Capital Strategy totals $83.8 billion- a $30 billion increase from the prior plan. CBC has two main concerns about the Strategy: there is insufficient information available to judge the investments, and the investments will add to the City’s high debt burden.
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony Examining Health Care Savings Under Recent Collective Bargaining Agreements
Delivered to the NYC Council Committee on Finance
April 01, 2015
Savings that would have normally been reserved for general budget needs—such as funding libraries or maintaining public parks—and are attributable to a national slowdown in health care costs, are now being credited to the health savings agreement.
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.
Testimony
Energy & Environment
Testimony on NYC Solid Waste Management Practices
Submitted to NYC Council Committee on Sanitation & Solid Waste Management
October 27, 2011
New York is being wasteful in its waste management practices. We could save tens of millions, perhaps even hundreds of millions, of dollars without harming the environment by more sensibly managing New Yorkers’ solid waste. An improved system for waste collection and disposal could prevent further reductions in essential services in coming budgets.
Letter
Pensions & Benefits
CBC Inquiry About the Health Insurance Premium Stabilization Fund
June 27, 2011
CBC Letter to Comptroller John Liu asking three questions about the Health Insurance Stabilization Fund (HISF) and calling for an audit.
Letter
Transportation
CBC Encourages MTA to Link Fares to Operating Expenses; Explore Peak Pricing
September 30, 2010
The CBC seeks to stress two points: 1) the fare increases to be approved for January 2011 and proposed for January 2013 should move toward establishing a long-term policy to cover half of operating expenses with fare revenue, and 2) the MTA should explore the feasibility of incorporating the practice of “peak pricing" for subways and buses.
Letter
City Budget
CBC Urges Gov. Cuomo to Veto Arbitrary Training Mandate for Firefighters
September 29, 2010
CBC recommends to the governor that A9885/S6784, which mandates that New York City firefighters be provided an additional 80 hours of training on the Buildings and Fire Codes, be vetoed because it is an arbitrary addition to existing preparation that is unnecessary and financially burdensome.