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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.
Op Ed
Economic Development
The Smart Money on Amazon
Strengths and weaknesses in the Long Island City deal
November 23, 2018
As New Yorkers search for Black Friday deals, including on Amazon, we are also scrutinizing the deal offered to the retail giant to come to Long Island City.
Blog
Economic Development
Breaking Down the Amazon HQ2 Deal:
Facts and Takeaways
November 21, 2018
Amazon has committed to creating 25,000 full-time high-paying jobs over ten years, investing approximately $2.5 billion, and building 4 million square feet of office space at its new headquarters in Long Island City, with the possibility of expanding to 8 million square feet and 40,000 jobs. To facilitate this investment, Amazon will receive benefits of up to $1.7 billion from New York State and $1.8 billion from New York City. This blog explains the incentive package provided by the State and City and offers five takeaways about the deal and its lessons for future economic development policy.
Blog
Energy & Environment
Commercial Waste Zones
A Green Solution in More Ways Than One
November 07, 2018
The City's plan deserves support.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
NYC Long-term Liabilities Top $257 Billion
October 31, 2018
The City's liabilities reached a record $257.3 billion, an increase of $4.7 billion since fiscal year 2017.
Testimony
Energy & Environment
Update on the City’s Organics Collection Program
Testimony Submitted to the NYC Council Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management
September 20, 2018
Because of low participation and inadequate organic waste processing capacity, the organics collection program is not ready for citywide expansion.
Blog
State Budget
Hold Your Bets
Four Guidelines for Legalized Sports Betting in New York State
September 05, 2018
State leaders should consider these four guidelines as they decide whether and how to expand sports betting in New York.
Testimony
Economic Development
NYS ABO's Oversight and Regulation of IDAs
Testimony before the New York State Authorities Budget Office
September 04, 2018
The purpose of today’s public hearing is to discuss regulations recently proposed by the Authorities Budget Office to impose additional disclosure requirements on local industrial development agencies (IDAs).
Video
Economic Development
Increasing Transparency and Economic Development Funding
Capital Tonight
September 04, 2018
There's an ongoing debate over the state's use of taxpayer money for economic development efforts, but a lot of investment happens at the local level, through Industrial Development Agencies.
Blog
Transportation
Three Takeaways from the MTA's Financial Plan
July 2018 Update
August 13, 2018
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) released its 2019 Preliminary Budget and four-year financial plan last month. Here are three important takeaways.
Video
Economic Development
Friedfel Talks Economic Development Inititatives
Capital Tonight
July 12, 2018
Ten economic development bills passed the state legislature, but CBC says the current programs need to be reformed before anything new is added.
Blog
Economic Development
Governor Should Reject Ten Economic Development Bills
June 25, 2018
Ten bills to expand economic development spending had been passed by both houses of the legislature and will eventually end up on the Governor’s desk to sign or veto.
Op Ed
Pensions & Benefits
Pension sweeteners a bitter prospect for New York City
New York Daily News
June 15, 2018
The City Council adopted a budget for fiscal year 2019 that totals almost $90 billion. Almost $10 billion will be devoted to pensions for public employees, and the amount is projected to grow. And yet, for some, this is not enough.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
Bitter Truth
Many Benefit Sweeteners Lack Required Fiscal Estimates
June 06, 2018
To date the New York State Legislature has introduced 138 bills in this session that enhance the benefits of state and local public employees. How much these bills could cost taxpayers is unknown.
Op Ed
Transportation
Four years after 'Bridgegate,' Port's fiefdoms are coming back
Crain's New York Business
May 30, 2018
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a crucial agency, but it is badly governed and in need of reform.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
Four Egregious Benefit Enhancement Bills
2018 Benefit Sweetener Scorecard Update
May 18, 2018
The 135 active bills identified on the Citizens Budget Commission’s 2018 Benefit Sweetener Scorecard this session could cost the State and local governments at least $428 million.
Video
Economic Development
Scorecard on economic development programs
Spectrum News
April 27, 2018
On Wednesday, Governor Cuomo outlined plans for the state's eighth annual regional economic development council competition, calling the program a success. But not everyone is convinced the approach is working.
Testimony
Energy & Environment
Testimony on the Department of Sanitation's Waste Characterization Study
Submitted to the New York City Council Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management
April 24, 2018
CBC testimony on the fiscal and policy implications of changes in the waste stream on the City’s waste management system.
Video
City Budget
Brian Talks New York: Fair Fares And Other NYC Budget Debates
CUNY TV Channel 75
April 19, 2018
The City Council has presented a budget that includes reduced priced Metrocards for low-income New Yorkers and other ideas. Brian discusses this with Citizens Budget Commission president, Carol Kellerman and City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez.
Op Ed
City Budget
How New York City Can Afford Fair Fares
Slowing the growth of the city’s workforce would provide the needed savings
April 16, 2018
The Fair Fares proposal can be accommodated within the city budget by exercising greater restraint in hiring and more aggressively tackling inefficiencies in its operations.