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Blog
Education
Absent Teacher Reserve Costs $136 Million and Needs Reform
June 14, 2018
Teachers in the Absentee Teacher Reserve (ATR) will cost the City $136 million in this school year. The City should pursue reforms to the ATR, such as a 6-month time limit, in upcoming labor negotiations with the UFT.
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
City Budget
City's Fourth Extension of the School Bus Grant Program Should Be Rejected
March 08, 2018
The City Council should reject this program, and all new school bus contracts should be awarded with an eye toward realizing savings in the costs of pupil transportation, now more than $1.2 billion.
Blog
Education
Governor’s Education Proposal Pierces Cap And Lacks Needed Reforms
February 20, 2018
The NYS FY2018-2019 Executive Budget increases school aid by $769 million, or 3 percent, to $26.4 billion- twice the increase allowed by the school aid cap.
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
Ripe for Reform
$466 Million in Education Aid
January 02, 2018
New York State will send $25 billion to local school districts during the 2017-2018 school year, accounting for approximately 37 percent of school district revenues.
Blog
City Budget
NYC Resident Feedback Survey: Issues Requiring More Attention from City Government
October 20, 2017
New Yorkers tell us what the biggest issues are requiring the attention of city government. Click to see how your neighbors responded.
Blog
Education
New York Per Pupil Education Spending is Nation’s Highest
Where Does the Money Come From?
September 07, 2017
Based on the most recent national data, New York spends more per pupil than any other state: $21,206 per pupil compared to the national average of $11,392 as of the 2014-2015 school year.
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
Housing
$1.9 Billion More For Affordable Housing, But Plan Lacks Specifics
June 30, 2017
City documents offer few details on how the new funding will be used to enhance different levels of affordability.
Blog
Education
State Budget Increases School Aid Without Needed Reforms
April 20, 2017
In order to adequately fund education in all districts without excessive state spending, more comprehensive modifications are required.
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.
Blog
Education
Governor’s School Aid Proposal Extends Existing Inequities
February 09, 2017
Big changes proposed to Foundation Aid bake in existing inequities.
Blog
Education
Agency Focus: NYSED
Budget Analysis
October 15, 2014
What are the challenges facing the New York State Education Department's (NYSED)?
Blog
Transportation
Agency Focus: NYS DOT
Budget Analysis
September 28, 2014
Two major challenges face the New York State Department of Transportation: undertaking a comprehensive needs assessment and identifying resources needed to implement a capital plan.
Blog
City Budget
Agency Focus: DEP
Budget Analysis
September 21, 2014
Three entities govern New York City's water and sewer system: the Department of Environmental Protection operates and maintains the system; the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority (WFA) borrows to finance capital investments; and the Water Board sets rates for customers to meet financing needs. Learn more.
Blog
Capital Spending
An Update on Port Authority Budget Reform
July 22, 2014
How far has the Port Authority come on improving its budget process, long-term financial viability, and accountability to the public?
Blog
Education
New York Led the Nation in Education Spending in 2012
June 01, 2014
New U.S. Census data show New York maintained its position as the top per-pupil spender among states on public elementary-secondary education in 2012.
Blog
Education
What School Aid Cap?
For a Second Year School Aid Grows More than 5 Percent
April 03, 2014
The fiscal year 2015 New York State enacted budget increased school aid by $1.1 billion for school year 2014-15, or 5.4 percent - above the "cap" of 4 percent.
Blog
Education
Fix New York State’s Broken School Aid Formulas
March 11, 2014
Large increase in school aid proposed in the State fiscal year 2014-15 Executive Budget will be misdirected to school districts with less need than others.