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Report
Transportation
NYS Infrastructure Policy
A Background Paper for the CBC Conference on The Most Important Fiscal and Economic Issues Facing New York State
December 13, 2018
This paper was prepared by HR&A Advisors as a background paper for the December 2018 CBC Conference on most important fiscal and economic issues facing New York State. The paper provides recommendations for how NYS should prioritize, fund, and deliver key infrastructure investments.
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.
Report
Transportation
Getting Back on Track
Replacing and Repairing Subway Cars Will Be Expensive and Take More Than a Decade
July 18, 2018
Decisions to redirect capital dollars to other priorities and stretch inspection and maintenance cycles contributed to the decline in subway reliability, and challenges lay ahead for plans to purchase 3,600 new subway cars and retrofit 1,200 existing cars.
Report
Housing
Stabilizing the Foundation
Transforming NYCHA to Address Its Capital Needs
July 03, 2018
Rather than continue as the nation’s largest landlord, NYCHA should transition to an affordable housing steward employing a full range of strategies to preserve the affordability of its units.
Report
Transportation
4 Things You Should Know About the MTA's Commuter Railroads
April 18, 2018
The Long Island Rail Road is much more inefficient than Metro-North. Here's why.
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
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.
Blog
Education
Stretching New York’s Education Dollar: Improving Pupil Transportation Aid Formulas
December 12, 2012
School districts in New York spent $1,100 per pupil on average on transportation in 2010, more than any other state and 140 percent above the U.S. average of $459.
Blog
Transportation
Getting the Facts Straight on Metropolitan Transportation Authority Fare Ratios
November 25, 2012
The blog describes the different ways of calculating MTA fare ratios and of comparing the MTA ratios to those of other systems.
Report
Transportation
A Better Way to Pay for the MTA
October 09, 2012
This report builds upon previous research on the issue of how to finance the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, particularly its mass transit services. It updates and revises the findings and recommendations of a 2006 report and seeks to provide guidelines for future budget decisions.
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
Transportation
Refunding the MTA's Debt
The Importance of Getting it Right
May 06, 2012
This brief examines the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) large-scale refunding of outstandingdebt. It focuses on a refunding that saves money and spreads debt service costs fairly over time and does not juggle the timing of debt service costs in a manner places unfair costs on riders and taxpayers in the more
distant future.
Report
Capital Spending
6 Things New Yorkers Should Know About Prevailing Wage
February 13, 2012
This report is intended to provide New Yorkers with an understanding of how prevailing wage law works so they can understand and evaluate the arguments in the current debate.
Report
Public Workforce
MTA-TWU Wage Negotiations
A "Fair Increase" Will Not Increase Fares
January 29, 2012
This report examines the contract negotiations between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and its largest union, the Transport Workers Union Local 100, and it applies the criteria specified by the Public Employment Relations Board for determining arbitration awards. It finds that the public interest will be served by an agreement that maintains a good standard of living for workers, is within the MTA’s ability to pay, and does not force further harm upon riders.
Report
Capital Spending
New York City's Water and Sewer System
Is the Rent Too Damn High?
December 14, 2011
This report provides a history of the City's water rental payment, critiques the current method for setting the rent, and suggests alternative approaches to setting the rent.
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.”
Report
Transportation
Benchmarking Efficiency for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Services
April 05, 2011
This report helps identify priorities for ongoing efforts to control costs at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority through benchmarking by comparing unit cost measures with other large urban transit agencies in the United States. It also suggests priorities for new efficiency initiatives.
Report
Energy & Environment
New York’s Green Policies
Too Much or Too Little – A Competitive Perspective
April 03, 2011
This report assesses how New York compares to other cities in pursuing green objectives and suggests how New York’s leaders can set priorities for taking additional steps to promote environmental goals in ways that align with goals of economic growth and urban competitiveness.
Report
Transportation
How To Balance the MTA's Budget
June 27, 2006
In order for New York to maintain a strong and vibrant economy, its transportation system has to be kept up to par and expanded to meet future needs. This report examines the two problems and suggests alternative financing policies for the MTA that would balance its operating budget and provide sufficient capital to accelerate the pace at which its facilities are brought to a state of good repair.