Search
Showing 121 - 140 of 296
Blog
City Budget
When the Smoke Clears
Despite Continued Economic Strength, NYC Spent More Than It Received in 2019
June 30, 2019
The City’s spending obligations in fiscal year 2019 were $255 million greater than the revenues collected. How is this possible when State law and the City Charter require balanced budgets?
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony on Intro 1574 to Establish Commercial Waste Zones in New York City
June 27, 2019
Establishing commercial waste zones can increase efficiency in collection, achieve substantial VMT reduction, and reduce the negative externalities.
Statement
City Budget
Statement on the NYC Fiscal Year 2020 Adopted Budget
June 14, 2019
The FY 2020 Adopted Budget agreement increases savings and reserves; unfortunately, new spending commitments are greater than deposits to the City’s reserves.
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony Before the 2019 Charter Revision Commission
May 09, 2019
CBC recommends this Commission exercise caution when proposing changes to the City’s fiscal management structures and processes.
Statement
City Budget
Statement on the NYC FY 2020 Executive Budget
April 25, 2019
Mayor de Blasio’s stay-the-course budget does not take the steps needed to preserve services or forestall tax increases in the eventual hard times.
Report
City Budget
To Weather a Storm
Create an NYC Rainy Day Fund
April 18, 2019
A well-funded and structured Rainy Day Fund (RDF) would help New York City weather future recessions.
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony on Intro. No. 1512
on the Establishment of a Director of Ferry Operations
April 17, 2019
NYC Ferry connects many of NYC’s waterfront neighborhoods and business districts at a high price.
Testimony
Energy & Environment
Testimony on the Proposed Paper Carryout Bag Fee
Submitted to the NYC Council Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management
April 16, 2019
CBC supports proposed legislation to impose a 5-cent fee on most paper carryout bags.
Report
Transportation
Swimming in Subsidies
The High Cost of NYC Ferry
March 28, 2019
NYC Ferry serves more than 4 million passengers at a high level of operating subsidy: $10.73 per ride, 10 times that of the New York City Transit.
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
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.
Report
City Budget
9 Things New Yorkers Should Know About How New York City Buys Stuff
February 21, 2019
CBC's new report outlines nine critical things New Yorkers should know about procurement and makes four recommendations that could generate savings for the City.
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.
Statement
City Budget
Statement on NYC Preliminary Budget FY 2020
February 07, 2019
In this uncertain economic environment, Mayor Bill de Blasio is right to urge caution and has announced the first Program to Eliminate the Gap (PEG) of his administration to be implemented in the Executive Budget. But for now, the City of New York Preliminary Budget Fiscal Year 2020 shows modest restraint in spending growth.
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:
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.
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.