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Podcast episode
Transportation
275, with MTA Board Member Veronica Vanterpool
November 21, 2019
275 is the number of meetings Veronica Vanterpool has attended since she was appointed to the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. She is one of four individuals appointed by the Mayor to the 21 member board. She joined the pod to discuss her time on the board, the important challenges facing the MTA, and more.
Podcast episode
Taxes
Episode 83: $81.3 billion, with Commissioner Michael Schmidt
October 24, 2019
$81.3 billion the amount of tax revenue New York State will collect in fiscal year 2020—46 percent of all resources in the $176 billion New York State budget. Michael Schmidt, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, joined the podcast to parse the details on the State’s tax base and taxation policies.
Blog
Transportation
NYC Ferry Comparative Analysis
October 07, 2019
Among large urban ferry systems, NYC Ferry's subsidy is second highest.
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
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.
Blog
Transportation
Watch the (MTA Budget) Gap!
Operating Budget Is Worse Than It Appears
August 07, 2019
The MTA's 2020 Preliminary Budget and four-year financial plan reveals an alarming fiscal outlook.
Podcast episode
Transportation
1.28 cents, with Patrick Orecki
May 23, 2019
1.28 cents is the amount New York collects in fuel taxes for every vehicle mile driven. A recent CBC report "Switching Gears" explored the implementation of an innovative approach to finance highway and bridge improvements: a vehicle-miles traveled fee. What’s a VMT, and how does it work? CBC's Patrick Orecki joined the podcast to discuss what a VMT might look like in New York.
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.
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
City Budget
NYC Revenues in a Recession
Quantifying the Potential Shortfall
February 26, 2019
The potential shortfall from a recession comparable to the last two recessions could be substantial: between $15 billion and $20 billion below projections over three years.
Blog
Transportation
Principles for Congestion Pricing
February 13, 2019
Motorists should pay a greater share of the costs of mass transit to offset the negative impacts of auto use. CBC recommends five principles to guide the crafting of a congestion pricing program
Op Ed
Transportation
Want better service?
Raise the fare: It would be a mistake to link price increases to improved performance
January 24, 2019
Exasperated straphangers are expressing frustration with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s plans to raise fares when, they say, service shows little sign of improvement.
Op Ed
Transportation
The MTA's Closely Guarded Secret
New Yorkers should be told how much it would cost to fix the entire transit system
December 19, 2017
At next month’s State of the State address, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to unveil a congestion-pricing proposal that would generate a dedicated funding stream for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Op Ed
State Budget
Repeal the Film Tax Credit, But Don't Expect Savings Just Yet
Even if this wasteful program is killed in 2018, its expenditures will continue for years
December 13, 2017
The Citizens Budget Commission is a long-time critic of the New York State Film Tax Credit program and supports its repeal. However, due to some unusual provisions of state tax law, repeal of the credit will not yield immediate state savings.
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.
Op Ed
Transportation
Shared sacrifice to save the subways
It's not just the mayor and governor; transit workers and motorists must chip in, too
July 28, 2017
Neither the “city” nor the “state” is a person with a bank account: it is taxpayers who are being called upon to foot the bill. Motorists and workers should also share the burden.
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.