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Blog
State Budget
Don’t Get Too High on Potential Marijuana Revenues
December 13, 2018
There is significant revenue potential from the marijuana industry, but research suggests that many months or years of careful planning precede consistent revenues.
Letter
Pensions & Benefits
Governor Cuomo Should Veto Costly Employee and Retiree Benefits
A Letter to the Governor
November 27, 2018
CBC Recommends veto of A8164-b/S3770-b, A8402-b/S6435-b, A9909/S7705, A9910/S7704, and A10735/S7933.
Testimony
Housing
Testimony on the NYCHA Physical Needs Assessment
Submitted to the New York City Council Committee on Public Housing
November 15, 2018
NYCHA has an astounding $32 billion in capital needs, a nearly fivefold increase over the last decade. Today nearly all its properties require substantial rehabilitation.
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).
Letter
Taxes
New York State Should Create an Unincorporated Business Tax
A Letter to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
July 26, 2018
A UBT is needed to blunt the impact of federal tax reform; here are CBC's recommendations for designing it.
Blog
City Budget
Reduction in Uniformed Overtime Is Still Needed
July 12, 2018
Without workrule changes the City’s uniformed overtime caps are unlikely to be successful. In fact, several agencis have already exceeded their FY 2018 caps.
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.
Blog
State Budget
Reallocate Settlement Payments to Boost Rainy Day Funds
July 09, 2018
NYS has wom more than $11 billion in litigation settlements since FY 2014-2015. The spending of some of the settlement funds have more merit than others, but one major shortcoming is that none of the funds were allocated to boosting reserves.
Letter
Capital Spending
City Should Evaluate Project Labor Agreements
Letter to Mayor de Blasio
July 05, 2018
With the Capital Commitment Plan now topping $82 billion, it is more important than ever to find ways to reduce costs and speed up project delivery.
Statement
Housing
Statement on NYCHA Physical Needs Assessment
July 02, 2018
Radical changes need to be undertaken immediately
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.
Blog
State Budget
The State Budget Cap Has Lost Its Meaning
May 29, 2018
Keeping with Albany tradition, the state's leaders adopted the budget on the final day of last fiscal year in the wee hours of the morning with little debate and no transparency, once again proclaiming the budget complies with a 2 percent growth cap.
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.
Statement
State Budget
Statement on the NYS FY2019 Budget
March 31, 2018
The budget gap will be closed using short-term measures instead of restraint in and reform of spending commitments.
Statement
State Budget
CBC Urges State Leaders to Respond to the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act To Promote Competitiveness and Protect New Yorkers
March 26, 2018
With budget negotiations in the final push, here's what State leaders should do now and in months to come.
Testimony
Capital Spending
Testimony on the City of New York’s Capital Commitment Plan
Submitted to the NYC Council Committee on Finance and Subcommittee on Capital Budget
March 20, 2018
NYC's Capital Commitment Plan is unrealistic in its ambition, obscures capital priorities, and discourages accountability for completing capital projects efficiently.
Letter
State Budget
Significant Impacts the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on the Residents and Revenues of New York State
Letter to Governor Cuomo
March 20, 2018
I write to convey the Citizens Budget Commission’s findings about the significant impacts the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) will have on the residents and revenues of New York City and New York State and recommended steps needed to address these problems.
Blog
Capital Spending
Rightsizing and Right Timing New York City’s Capital Plan
March 14, 2018
Despite a pledge to collaborate with the City Council on a realistic Capital Commitment Plan, the City's overly ambitious proposal is neither realistic nor transparent.
Blog
Health Care
Three Strikes Against the Governor’s Proposed Conversion Revenue
March 13, 2018
Counting on the revenue from health insurance company conversations is not prudent for three important reasons.