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Blog
Taxes
Follow the Money
The MTA’s New Revenues
April 05, 2019
The NYS Adopted FY 2020 Budget directs three revenue sources to support the MTA. This blog clarifies what the revenue streams are and how they will flow to the lockbox.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
A More Flexible Pension Plan
January 25, 2012
Part of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s “Tier VI” proposal to make pension benefits for public employees of New York’s State and local government more affordable and sustainable over the long term is an optional 401(k)-style plan, already used widely in the private sector and becoming more common in the public sector.
Report
Public Workforce
Reform at the Bargaining Table
Labor’s Participation Needed to Improve the MTA’s Financial Outlook
April 30, 2019
The MTA's fiscal outlook is dire, and improving it requires a multipronged approach. Paramount in the effort is slowing the growth of labor costs.
Blog
Transportation
Suburban Smiles May Turn to Frowns
September 09, 2012
MTA revenue lost from the payroll mobility tax could be made up in a way that is far more burdensome to suburban commuters.
Report
Pensions & Benefits
Everybody’s Doing It
Health Insurance Premium-Sharing by Employees and Retirees in the Public and Private Sectors
January 27, 2013
This report analyzes New York City’s health premium policies for employees and retirees and suggests options to generate savings by implementing premium-sharing in the City's largest plans.
Report
Pensions & Benefits
The First Priority in the New Year – Pension Reform
January 10, 2012
This brief examines pension cost growth in New York State and its effect on the New York's competitiveness. It recommends the adoption of a new tier of pension plans known as the Tier VI Proposal.
Blog
Taxes
New Revenues and the Path to Sustainable State Spending
March 07, 2011
Since the onset of the national recession the State has relied more extensively on new revenue measures than on recurring spending cuts.
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.
Blog
Taxes
The Tax Hike’s Silver Lining
December 07, 2011
If the temporary personal income tax hike is the price we pay for long-term reforms that enhance infrastructure, encourage job growth, make the state and local tax system more equitable, and reduce future pension costs, then it is a price worth paying.
Special Feature
City Budget
Facts About The NYC Budget
2019
May 13, 2019
A snapshot of NYC's budget, including projections for spending, headcount, savings, liabilities, and revenue shortfalls in case of a recession.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
Not so sweet
June 20, 2010
While the State and local governments struggle to pay for current salaries and fringe benefits of public employees and to fully fund the pension system for retirees - resorting to a "borrowing" scheme to stretch out required payments - the State Legislature has remained undeterred in introducing and acting upon bills that would add even more costs in the 2010 session.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
A Reasonable Proposal: Sharing More of the Cost of Public Sector Pensions with Employees
February 15, 2012
Increasing the employee contribution rate for public pensions in New York State is not unreasonable. Comparisons with nationwide norms show proposal would move New York toward the middle of the pack among states.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
The Next Challenge: Retiree Health Benefits
April 16, 2012
Pension reform, done. Next up, retiree health insurance and OPEB.
Blog
Taxes
Personal Income Tax Revenues in New York State and City
August 13, 2019
PIT revenues are a significant - and volatile - part of State and City budgets.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
An End to Business As Usual
April 10, 2011
CBC calls for an end to “business as usual:” the relentless introduction of pension sweeteners.
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.
Video
City Budget
Tax Revenue Panel
The Most Important Economic and Fiscal Decisions Facing the Next Mayor
December 06, 2013
This panel discusses options to reform and increase the property tax; and the impact of tax levels on residential and business location decisions.
Blog
State Budget
Stop the Wishful Thinking about a New York State Mid-Year “Surplus”
August 22, 2011
Talk of a surplus and using it for new initiatives should end immediately.
Blog
City Budget
New York City’s Adopted Budget: Missed Opportunities
July 05, 2011
In adopting the FY2012 budget, City leaders missed the opportunity to address the big-ticket items – health insurance, pensions and debt service – whose unchecked growth will continue to dominate the budget and result in service reductions and layoffs.
Blog
State Budget
Balancing the State Budget – Halfway There, But Running Out of Gas?
December 19, 2011
The Governor should avoid more new taxes as the way to close the rest of the budget gap and instead focus on containing spending growth in Medicaid, pensions, education, and economic development.