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Letter
Economic Development
Letter from Good Government Groups On Economic Development Contracts
October 26, 2016
In order to restore the public’s faith in state economic development contracting, end the role of state-affiliated non-profits and SUNY in awarding those contracts, and transfer all economic development procurement, contract awards, and management to ESDC.
Report
Pensions & Benefits
An Expensive and Risky Benefit
How Low Interest Rates Cost New York City Taxpayers $1.2 Billion Annually
October 05, 2016
A unique feature of a tax deferred compensation plan available to NYC teachers guarantees them a 7% investment return regardless of what happens to interest rates or in the stock market.
Report
Economic Development
New York City's Competitiveness in Attracting Talent
2016 Scorecard
September 28, 2016
How does the New York City metro area compare to other large cities in the competition for a talented workforce? Affordability and commute times remain challenges.
Report
Economic Development
Increasing Without Evidence
NYS Economic Development Spending Update
September 26, 2016
This report tracks growth in NYS' economic development programs between 2010 and 2014. Little progress has been made on improving transparency and demonstrating effectiveness.
Report
Transportation
Access-A-Ride
Ways to Do the Right Thing More Efficiently
September 20, 2016
This report identifies strategies and options the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) can pursue to improve the financial outlook and quality of Access-A-Ride, the paratransit program.
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.
Report
Energy & Environment
Can We Have Our Cake and Compost It Too?
An Analysis of Organic Waste Diversion in New York City
February 02, 2016
This report examines the feasibility and the cost of options for expanding the Department of Sanitation's organic waste program.
Report
Pensions & Benefits
8 Things New Yorkers Should Know About Public Retirement Benefits in New York State
October 19, 2010
This report presents eight facts about retirement benefits for New York State and local employees intended to stimulate a substantive discourse on pursuing changes to prevent underfunding of the pension systems and to make retirement benefits more fair and affordable.
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.
Report
Pensions & Benefits
Better Benefits from our Billion Bucks
August 02, 2010
This report describes the organization and financing of the union welfare funds, identifies and documents three problems with the current arrangements – limited accountability, poor financial management and inefficient provision of benefits - and presents recommendations to improve the use of these payments and provide taxpayer savings.
Letter
Economic Development
CBC Urges the State Legislature to Let the Empire Zones Program Sunset
April 12, 2010
This letter was written to urge the State legislature to allow the seriously flawed Empire Zones program to sunset as of June 30, 2010, as established by law, and to enact the Excelsior program as proposed by the Governor.
Report
State Budget
In The Danger Zone
A Comparative Analysis of New York State's Long-Term Obligations
March 08, 2010
This comparative analysis examines the debt burden of the 50 states. It finds that New York's debt burden is well above national averages and greater than that of all but three states.
Report
Pensions & Benefits
Out of Balance
A Comparison of Public and Private Employee Benefits in New York City
December 16, 2009
The CBC and the Partnership for New York City surveyed large private firms in New York City to provide a basis for comparing the health insurance and pension benefits of private sector workers with those of municipal employees.
Report
Education
Is It a Good Deal?
How New Yorkers Should Judge The Next Teachers' Contract
November 11, 2009
The New York City teachers’ contract expired on October 31, 2009. A new agreement may be reached soon. As the City faces a $5 billion budget gap for the next fiscal year and key educational reforms remain unfinished, here are key questions parents and taxpayers should ask to judge whether the next contract is a good deal for them.
Report
Transportation
Working in the Dark
Implementation of the MTA's Capital Plan
October 20, 2009
This report analyzes the MTA’s effectiveness at managing its five-year capital plans. It does so by examining the capital projects scheduled by the MTA for work in the three-year period from January 2005 to December 2007.
Report
Economic Development
Overhauling the New York Power Authority's Economic Development Programs
September 22, 2009
This report focuses on the numerous subsidized power programs for economic development run by the New York Power Authority. It is the second in a series, the intent of which is to identify ways that New York's current tools can be used more effectively.
Letter
Transportation
CBC and Others Outline a Plan to Finance Long-Term Capital Needs of the MTA
May 05, 2009
This letter from the CBC and other advocates outlines a plan to finance the long-term capital needs of the MTA and its immediate operating deficit. The mobility tax should be used for expenses related to the MTA's capital plan, not for operating expenses after the first year.
Report
Pensions & Benefits
The Explosion in Pension Costs
10 Things New Yorkers Should Know About Retirement Benefits for New York City Employees
April 06, 2009
In recent years, one of the fastest growing expenses for New York City government has been retirement benefits for municipal workers. This growth is driven mainly by investment losses in the pension funds and the enrichment of retirement benefits. As New York taxpayers have a critical interest in understanding the reasons behind the explosion in retirement benefit costs and what can be done to limit future liabilities, this report summarizes 10 facts about retirement benefits for New York employees.
Letter
Economic Development
CBC and Others Urge the State Legislature to Reform Empire Zones
February 11, 2009
This letter to the State Legislature, written in conjunction with the NYS AFL-CIO, the Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central New York and the Partnership for New York City, is in support of Governor David Paterson's proposal to scale back the almost $600 million-a-year Empire Zone Program.
Letter
Transportation
Letter to the Governor Regarding Ravitch Commission
January 28, 2009
In this letter CBC agrees, for the most part, with a report released by the Commission on Metropolitan Transportation Authority Financing but offers suggestions for improvement. Specifically, CBC supports legislation to implement the Commission’s core recommendations (with revision), which are highlighted in the testimony.