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City Budget
A $3 Billion Problem
Homeless Services in New York City
May 24, 2018
Despite multipronged concerted efforts, the dramatic growth in City spending on homeless services has not reduced the number of people in shelters, and homelessness remains a serious problem.
Report
City Budget
Short-term Goals for Long-term Debt
Time to Prioritize Reducing New York City’s Liabilities
September 18, 2018
Paying down the City's debts should be a greater priority.
Podcast episode
City Budget
Episode 59: 1981
November 16, 2018
The data point for today is 1981, the year in which the State Legislature enacted S7000A, the landmark bill that formalized the current property tax system for New York City. A response to the Hellerstein case, which found the system was in violation of State law, S7000A essentially codified the status quo.In doing so, it established a system of property classification, fractional assessments, caps, phase-ins, and class shares that is still with us 37 years later. These structural features and statutory requirements are the root of the system’s inequities and complexities. A home worth $500,000 can face the same tax bill as a home worth $1.5 million, while the value of a condominium unit, according to the City, is a fraction of its sale price. In fact, some buildings have values that are below the sale price of individual units. And commercial and rental property faces a higher average property tax burden than 1-, 2- and 3-family homes.
These inequities and problems have led to repeated calls for reform, including pending litigation. This past May, Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Johnson formed the Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform. In September, the Citizens Budget Commission, the Regional Plan Association, and NYU Robert Wagner School of Public Service held a panel to discuss the problem, inequities and potential reforms
Op Ed
City Budget
New Priorities for Mayor Bloomberg's Third Term
November 15, 2009
CBC President Carol Kellermann outlines the fiscal priorities that need to be addressed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in his third term in this op-ed published in the Huffington Post.
Report
Pensions & Benefits
Six-Figure Civil Servants
Average Compensation Cost Of New York City Public Employees
January 08, 2009
In fiscal year 2008, the average compensation cost per New York City full-time employee was $106,743; this figure represents a system out of sync with the private sector and an opportunity to limit the growth of the City’s liability in the future while continuing to provide fair and adequate compensation to the City’s employees. Three factors that have driven the growth in compensation among City employees are: 1) Pay increases are directly attributable to contract settlements with unions; 2) More generous terms of the health insurance benefits offered by the City, as compared to the private sector and other state and local governments; and 3) The benefit retirement plans offered by the City that lock in the City’s future payouts to retirees based on the employee’s pay, years of employment and age at retirement among other factors. CBC offers three recommendations in response to these factors.
Presentation
City Budget
Options to Reduce Expenditures
The Most Important Economic and Fiscal Decisions Facing the Next Mayor
December 06, 2013
In this presentation, CBC puts forward eight options to reduce expenditures by nearly $4 billion by FY2018.
Letter
City Budget
Improving Fiscal Integrity and Stability in NYC's FY25 Budget
A Letter to the Mayor and City Council
June 17, 2024
The decisions you make adopting the fiscal year 2025 budget will not only affect the City’s activities in the upcoming year, but will set the stage for the City’s ongoing fiscal capacity and stability to provide needed services and weather future crises.
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony Before the New York City Charter Revision Commission
June 13, 2024
Our Preliminary Recommendations focus on three areas to improve the Charter: Fiscal Integrity and Stability, Management Quality and Efficiency, and Resident Feedback.
Report
Pensions & Benefits
Union-Administered Benefit Funds
Getting More Out Of A Billion Dollar Taxpayer Contribution
February 08, 2018
NYC taxpayers are projected to contribute $1.1 billion to 108 union-administered benefit funds. Better management, oversight, and consolidation can create more than $160 million in savings for the City and improve benefits for members.
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.
Report
City Budget
NYC's Already High Spending Keeps Climbing
February 22, 2024
Despite the pandemic, recession, and multiple rounds of PEGs, City-funded spending is slated to increase 22.6 percent between fiscal years 2019 and 2025.
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony on NYC Fiscal Year 2025 Preliminary Budget
Submitted to the New York City Council Finance Committee
March 04, 2024
CBC’s analysis finds that the Preliminary Budget presents balanced budgets for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 as required by law; however, proposed spending in fiscal year 2025 is short by $3.6 billion needed to continue the current level of services.
Report
City Budget
Real Numbers, Real Choices
Recommendations for a Clearer Fiscal View in the NYC Executive Budget
April 18, 2024
New York City’s long-run fiscal stability is precarious, and its short-term prospects are uncertain. Major causes of this uncertainty are revenue estimates that may be unreasonably conservative and spending estimates for current programs that are alarmingly understated.
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.
Video
Capital Spending
PANYNJ Executive Director Rick Cotton
CBC Breakfast Series
March 06, 2018
Recently appointed the Executive Director of PANYNJ, Rick Cotton joins CBC to share the Port's priorities in the coming years.
Op Ed
Housing
In Need of Partners
Affordability Gap Too Large for New York City to Cover Alone
October 17, 2018
The City's committment to create and preserve affordable housing units and make critical repairs at NYCHA is unprecedented. But can this effort address affordability for all rent-burdened New Yorkers?
Blog
Public Workforce
The Cost of a Growing City Workforce
Ballooning Budgets and Long-term Liabilities
July 10, 2018
NYC’s municipal workforce is projected to reach a record 331,520 employees by the end of fiscal year 2019. Headcount expansion has a significant impact on the City’s budget and long-term financial position.
Report
Capital Spending
Transportation Infrastructure and New York's Competitiveness
June 29, 1999
This CBC report analyzes New York's competitiveness with respect to transportation infrastructure. The report focuses on the highway and mass transit systems of the New York metropolitan area and assesses New York City's competitiveness in relation to its domestic rivals (Chicago and Los Angeles) and its international competitors (London, Tokyo, and Paris).
Video
Economic Development
Economic Development Panel
The Most Important Economic and Fiscal Decisions Facing the Next Mayor
December 06, 2013
This presentation and panel discuss economic development in New York City since 2000, with a focus on the City's relative economic performance, the broad range of activities of the Economic Development Corporation, and the effectiveness of development strategies.
Press Release
Economic Development
CBC Releases Report On Mayor De Blasio's Economic Development Record
January 02, 2018
Evaluation of the City's economic development record under Mayor de Blasio and recommendations for five areas for improvement.