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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.
Blog
Taxes
New York City Homeowners
Who's Got the Unfairest Tax Burden of Them All?
September 12, 2018
One of the basic principles of good tax policy is equity: similarly situated taxpayers should have similarly sized tax bills. New York City’s property tax system does not comport with this principle.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Letter
Taxes
Significant Impacts the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on the Residents and Revenues of New York City
Letter to Mayor de Blasio
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
Transportation
Tsk-tsk on Governor’s TIF Proposal
February 02, 2018
The FY 2019 Executive Budget proposed to allow the MTA to create tax increment financing districts in NYC to raise revenue for capital improvements. Though TIFs can play a useful role, the proposal is flawed.
Letter
Transportation
CBC Urges Governor to Veto Two Free Transfers Legislation
December 14, 2017
CBC calls on Governor Andrew Cuomo to veto bill that would require the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to provide two free transfers between subways and buses within a two-hour period.
Blog
Transportation
More Than Enough Problems
The MTA 2018 Final Proposed Budget and Four-year Financial Plan
November 27, 2017
There are unanswered questions about the MTA's 2018 budget and $1.5 billion Subway Action Plan.
Blog
Transportation
Is the Enhanced Station Initiative a Good Idea?
July 20, 2017
Is the enhancement of 32 stations at a cost of nearly $1 billion worth the trade-off against other capital needs?
Blog
Transportation
Welcome Back, Joe Lhota!
June 26, 2017
Joe Lhota returns as Chairman of the MTA. Much has occurred since Lhota last chaired the MTA, and the following charts illustrate the agency’s current plight.
Blog
Transportation
MTA’s New Capital Plan Not on Track with Need for Better Service
June 15, 2017
The MTA's revised capital plan adds $2.8 billion investments, but the new money and other changes are not wholly aligned with what is needed to get the trains running on time
Blog
Economic Development
NY’s Economic Development Programs Costliest in the Nation
April 07, 2017
It's official: NY's economic development programs cost more than in any other state.
Blog
Transportation
Five Noteworthy Changes in the MTA's Financial Plan
March 15, 2017
The MTA's modified financial plan include 5 noteworthy changes which have the combined impact of slightly worsening the agency’s fiscal outlook.
Blog
Transportation
“Parity” for State Transportation Investments
A Misguided Misnomer
March 09, 2017
Do the State's transportation and transit investments really achieve "parity" between the DOT and the MTA? They don't -- and they shouldn't.
Letter
Transportation
Letter to MTA on Fare and Toll Increases
January 23, 2017
The MTA Board should continue the policy of regular and predictable fare increases.
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.
Blog
Capital Spending
The Dos and Don’ts of PPPs
December 04, 2011
Dos and Don’ts for the use of PPPs, or "P3s" adapted from the CBC's 2008 report, “How Public-Private Partnerships Can Help New York Address Its Infrastructure Needs.”
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.