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Blog
Taxes
Pied-à-Terre Tax
Appealing but Problematic
March 13, 2019
The pied-à-terre tax is appealing politically because it is levied on wealthy people with means to pay and nonresidents who do not vote. Nevertheless, it is problematic for several reasons.
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony on Charter-Defined Budget and Management Practices
Testimony Before the 2019 Charter Revision Commission
March 11, 2019
While many worthwhile ideas will be proposed, CBC believes the Commission should focus on and proposing only those changes essential to the Charter’s purpose
Blog
Housing
Six Guidelines for NYCHA's New Federal Monitor
March 08, 2019
The federal monitor is tasked with ensuring that NYCHA will remediate its most pressing physical issues, including lead, mold, broken elevators, and other deficiencies.
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
PEGging It Right
Guidelines for the PEG Process
March 05, 2019
For the first time since taking office, Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced plans to implement a Program to Eliminate the Gap (PEG), which requires agencies to generate savings through expense reductions or revenue enhancements. The de Blasio administration previously eschewed PEGs in favor of Citywide Savings Plans (CSPs); in contrast to the PEG, agency participation in the CSP was voluntary. Pursuing a PEG presents both a challenge and an opportunity. This blog proposes three guidelines for the process: 1) identify significantly more than $750 million in savings, 2) encourage recurring savings through efficiency, and 3) follow agencies’ leads.
Blog
City Budget
NYC Revenues in a Recession
Quantifying the Potential Shortfall
February 26, 2019
The potential shortfall from a recession comparable to the last two recessions could be substantial: between $15 billion and $20 billion below projections over three years.
Letter
State Budget
Recommendations for Legislative Action on the NYS Executive Budget for FY 2020
A Letter to the NYS Legislature
February 25, 2019
The Executive Budget does not sufficiently restrain spending growth or build reserves, which are critical if the State is to weather an eventual economic downturn without harmful spending cuts and counterproductive tax increases.
Letter
Transportation
Hold Public Confirmation Hearings for MTA Vacancies
A Letter to Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins
February 20, 2019
We write to ask that the State Senate conduct confirmation processes for appointees to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) through public hearings.
Blog
Health Care
Medicaid Supplemental Payments
State Workgroup Makes Limited Progress on Part of the Problem
February 15, 2019
New York State’s $78 billion Medicaid program includes $5.3 billion of “supplemental payments”. These supplemental payments are crucial to hospitals across the state, especially those largely serving uninsured and Medicaid populations.
Blog
Transportation
Principles for Congestion Pricing
February 13, 2019
Motorists should pay a greater share of the costs of mass transit to offset the negative impacts of auto use. CBC recommends five principles to guide the crafting of a congestion pricing program
Testimony
Capital Spending
Testimony on Intro. No. 113
For an Online Database of Pending Construction Projects
February 12, 2019
Intro. No. 113 would require the City of New York to produce an online database of all pending construction projects that includes initial and current completion dates and costs.
Blog
State Budget
How to Address New York State's Revenue Shortfall
February 11, 2019
In the budget’s 30-day amendments to be released this week, the State should take and propose actions to close the current year and fiscal year 2020 gaps.
Testimony
Education
State Education Aid Proposal for 2019-2020
Testimony Submitted to a Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Elementary and Secondary Education
February 06, 2019
In the aggregate New York State spends enough to provide all students with a sound basic education; however, State school aid is not targeted well enough to achieve this goal in all districts.
Blog
City Budget
Sound Strategy, Sound Future
Recommended Approach for the City’s Preliminary FY 2020 Budget
February 01, 2019
A thriving economy has allowed the City to increase spending by $20 billion since fiscal year 2014. The City should undertake a necessary course correction with this four-part strategy:
Blog
State Budget
Clear Picture
NYS Executive Budget Grows 3.4 Percent
January 29, 2019
State Operating Funds spending will grow by 3.4 percent in fiscal year 2020, the third straight year it has increased by more than 2 percent.
Blog
State Budget
Third Term, First Budget:
An NYS Budget Strategy
January 10, 2019
In this uncertain economic and fiscal environment, the Governor should follow this three-pronged strategy.
Testimony
Education
Testimony on the New Department of Education Five-Year Capital Plan
Submitted to a Joint Hearing of the City Council Committees on Education and Finance and Subcommittee on the Capital Budget
December 18, 2018
City officials cannot continue to expect the City can build its way to a solution; making real progress will require implementing operational strategies that alter the use of space and redirect students to facilities with capacity.
Blog
City Budget
Charter Revision 2019
Clearing Out the Clutter
December 14, 2018
The 2019 Commission will avoid the shortcomings of recent commissions if it stays true to its stated criteria and pursues Charter revisions that simplify and update the document.
Blog
State Budget
Don’t Get Too High on Potential Marijuana Revenues
December 13, 2018
There is significant revenue potential from the marijuana industry, but research suggests that many months or years of careful planning precede consistent revenues.
Testimony
Pensions & Benefits
The Health Care Savings Agreement: A Look Back and a Look Forward
Testimony Submitted to the New York City Council Committees on Finance and Civil Service and Labor
November 29, 2018
Savings to health benefit expenditures are crucial to attaining labor settlements that are fair and reasonable for both City employees and taxpayers.