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Blog
Transportation
How Much Do City Taxpayers Really Contribute to the MTA?
February 21, 2020
City taxpayers pay 71% on MTA non-toll, non-federal revenues.
Blog
Public Workforce
The High Cost of the MTA’s New Police Officers
September 25, 2019
The MTA has committed to hiring 500 new police officers to address quality of life concerns, but it is necessary to understand this strategy comes at a cost.
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.
Press Release
Transportation
CBC Releases “Reform At the Bargaining Table”
Report Details the Need to Improve Productivity at the MTA and Recommends “Net-Zero” Wage Increases
April 30, 2019
CBC released a report detailing the critical need to slow the growth of labor expenses if the MTA is to become fiscally sound.
Blog
Public Workforce
TWU Contract
Productivity Not a Done Deal
February 18, 2020
The agreements should include greater savings, including workrule changes, to offset the impact of these increased costs.
Blog
Public Workforce
The Growth of NYC Employee Headcount
Time to Reduce the Size of the Public Workforce
May 18, 2020
NYC budget documents don't show a plan to shrink the workforce, which reached an all-time high, during this recession. That should change.
Blog
City Budget
Was the NYPD Budget Cut by $1 Billion?
August 13, 2020
The size of the NYPD’s budget was a prominent focus of this year’s budget negotiations, with many activists and elected officials calling for a $1 billion cut.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
An Expensive Pension Enhancement Bill is on the Move
June 08, 2014
About the bill to increase disability pension benefits for police officers hired after July 1, 2009, when a more financially sustainable “Tier III” plan went into effect.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
Giving Credit Where It’s Due? New York City’s $1.3 Billion in Health Insurance Savings
December 28, 2014
In its recent mid-year budget modification the de Blasio administration credited a coalition of municipal employee unions with achieving $1.3 billion in savings in the City’s employee and retiree health insurance costs. Yet the unions have not agreed to any changes in the plan, and the City and the unions have taken no actions to reduce costs. How can this be?
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
Big Decisions Before Albany Do Not Deter Sweeteners
June 09, 2015
Tracking bills enhancing benefits for public employees introduced in the 2015 Legislative Session
Blog
State Budget
New York Taxes: Layers of Liability
June 25, 2020
Any consideration of tax increases should include the impact on State and local economic competitiveness
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
Pensions & Benefits
LIRR Pension Fraud Could Happen Again
August 04, 2014
Summarizes findings from a GAO report indicating the federal agency administering disability pensions for those workers had not done enough to prevent a repeat of a widespread fraud scheme by LIRR employees uncovered in 2008.
Blog
Economic Development
Economic Development Bigger in State Budget, But Benefits Unclear
April 15, 2015
Since 2011 New York leaders have restrained growth in the state’s operating budget; in contrast, the scale and scope of questionable economic development programs continue to be expanded significantly. In 2014 state and local spending for these activities totaled $8 billion.
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
City Budget
The Cost of More Cops: A Full Accounting
August 03, 2015
Police officers have a greater budget impact than most other City employees: what's the cost of 1,300 new cops?
Blog
City Budget
Buoying EDC's Operating Budget
June 01, 2020
EDC’s recent decision to reduce service hours and recalibrate routes on NYC Ferry is a step in the right direction.
Blog
Taxes
How Much to Bank on? When it Comes to Revenue Forecasting, Better Safe Than Sorry
April 12, 2015
What kind of impact could a recession have on New York City's revenues?
Blog
Taxes
Let a Sleeping Tax Lie
New York Should Reject Proposals to Reinstate the Stock Transfer Tax
November 09, 2020
If the rebate were eliminated, essentially putting the tax back into effect, New York would become the only state to impose such a tax on the sale and transfer of stock.
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.