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Testimony
Economic Development
Testimony on the Penn Station Area Civic and Land Use Improvement Project
Submitted to Empire State Development
December 08, 2021
Individually and collectively, these projects could contribute to New York’s long-term competitiveness and well-being.
Blog
Transportation
What to Look for in the MTA's November Budget Update
November 16, 2021
The MTA will be releasing its operating budget update Wednesday. Here is what we are looking out for.
Testimony
Transportation
Testimony on the MTA’s Finances and Operations
Testimony before the Senate Standing Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions; and the Senate Standing Committee on Transportation
September 29, 2021
The MTA is facing a long-term structural deficit of approximately $2.7 billion annually, meaning its recurring income from fares, tolls, and other sources will be roughly $2.7 billion less than the recurring expenditures needed to run the system.
Testimony
Transportation
Testimony on Congestion Pricing Implementation
Submitted to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
September 23, 2021
When the MTA determines the policies and implements congestion pricing, it should follow six recommendations:
Blog
Transportation
Getting the Pricing Right
Six Recommendations for Congestion Pricing
July 28, 2021
As the Traffic Mobility Review Board considers its recommendations and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority determines the policies and implements the program, they should follow six recommendations
Blog
Transportation
Light, at the Beginning of the Tunnel
What to Look for in the MTA 2021 July Financial Plan
July 20, 2021
While the path to achieving operating savings is hard, it is much preferable to phase in these savings over the next few years than to have massive fare and toll increases, economically damaging service cuts, or significant increases in dedicated taxes and subsidies.
Blog
Transportation
What to Look for in the February Update to the MTA’s Financial Plan
February 17, 2021
Further actions will be needed to stabilize the MTA’s finances in the long term.
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.
Testimony
Transportation
Improving the New York City Subway System
Submitted to the NYC Council Committee on Transportation
August 08, 2017
System enhancements have often been prioritized over capital improvements of the MTA's infrastructure. The sensible and ambitious turnaround plan should be funded by motorists and increased labor productivity.
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
Health Care
Time to Rethink HCRA Taxes
April 18, 2017
Taxes initially earmarked for health care programs are now being transferred to the State's General Fund and used for other purposes. The Legislature should replace them in future budgets.
Blog
State Budget
Budget Proposals with a Big Long-Term Payoff
March 16, 2017
The NYS FY2018 Executive Budget includes three proposals to reduce the State’s cost of providing retiree health insurance. Budget savings would be modest, but the reduction in the OPEB liability would be significant.
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.
Blog
Transportation
The MTA’s Preliminary 2017 Budget: Good News Now, But Risks Down the Track
September 27, 2016
Reviews the MTA's preliminary 2017 budget and points to risks, including expiring labor contracts and looming OPEB liabilities.
Blog
Capital Spending
Agency Focus: DASNY
Budget Analysis
August 01, 2016
The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) manages construction of buildings and provides low-cost financing for public and nonprofit institutions.
Blog
State Budget
A Step Backward on Medicaid Funding
March 24, 2016
New York’s policy of requiring counties and New York City to pay a sizable share of Medicaid costs is out of step with other states and results in an inequitable distribution of Medicaid costs among New York taxpayers. In 2005 the State capped the growth in the local share of Medicaid, which was a step in the right direction. In 2012 the State began a phased takeover of local share growth—a further improvement. However, the 2017 Executive Budget proposes to reinstitute New York City’s contribution toward growth in Medicaid expenses, which would be a giant step backwards.
Blog
State Budget
Heading the Wrong Way on the Thruway
March 23, 2016
Governor Andrew Cuomo proposal to provide nearly $2.3 billion of State funds from bank settlements to subsidize the New York State Thruway Authority would reverse a long-standing practice of funding the Authority from toll revenue and would put New York taxpayers on a course for financing road and bridge infrastructure that makes little economic or fiscal sense.