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Report
Education
A Better Foundation Aid Formula
Funding Sound Basic Education with Only Modest Added Cost
December 12, 2016
This report explains why Foundation Aid, a need-based State school aid program, was developed, what is wrong with it, and how to make it better.
Report
Pensions & Benefits
An Expensive and Risky Benefit
How Low Interest Rates Cost New York City Taxpayers $1.2 Billion Annually
October 05, 2016
A unique feature of a tax deferred compensation plan available to NYC teachers guarantees them a 7% investment return regardless of what happens to interest rates or in the stock market.
Report
Economic Development
New York City's Competitiveness in Attracting Talent
2016 Scorecard
September 28, 2016
How does the New York City metro area compare to other large cities in the competition for a talented workforce? Affordability and commute times remain challenges.
Report
Economic Development
Increasing Without Evidence
NYS Economic Development Spending Update
September 26, 2016
This report tracks growth in NYS' economic development programs between 2010 and 2014. Little progress has been made on improving transparency and demonstrating effectiveness.
Report
State Budget
Predicting the Peak, Preparing for the Trough
An Examination of the Impact of a Possible Recession on New York State
June 20, 2016
The impact of a possible recession could be as high as $59 billion, or 18.2 percent of tax revenues over four years.
Report
Health Care
What Ails Medicaid in New York?
And Does the Medicaid Redesign Team Have a Cure?
May 20, 2016
This report assess the progress of the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT), launched in 2011, in implementing strategies to curb costs and improve the quality of care in Medicaid.
Report
Energy & Environment
Can We Have Our Cake and Compost It Too?
An Analysis of Organic Waste Diversion in New York City
February 02, 2016
This report examines the feasibility and the cost of options for expanding the Department of Sanitation's organic waste program.
Report
Public Workforce
Twenty Years Later
Integrating Services In The New York City Fire Department
December 09, 2015
The FDNY responds to more more medical emergencies than fires. The department needs a fundamental transformation.
Report
Economic Development
An Assessment of Performance Reporting by Regional Economic Development Councils
November 29, 2015
This brief assesses the performance of New York State's Regional Economic Development Councils over the past four years and offers recommendations for further improving data collected on projects and on the economic performance of the regions.
Report
Housing
Whose Burden Is It Anyway?
Housing Affordability in New York City by Household Characteristics
November 12, 2015
This report looks at New York City rent burdens in more detail, using an in-depth housing survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau to consider a variety of household characteristics.
Report
Housing
Five Myths about Rent Regulation in New York City
May 25, 2015
This brief includes five facts to consider regarding myths about rent regulation and New York City's rental market.
Report
Housing
Cleaning House
How to Close the New York City Housing Authority's Operating Gaps
April 29, 2015
This report identifies the reasons for NYCHA's operating deficits in the last decade - insufficent operating subsidies, low rent collections, low nonrental income and high operating costs - and offers recommendations to increase revenues, curb expenses and improve productivity in order to eliminate NYCHA's projected $150 million deficit and improve conditions for its residents.
Report
Economic Development
Bigger Not Better
New York’s Expanding Economic Development Programs
February 18, 2015
Although some modest reforms have been made, many economic development programs have grown significantly without the improvements needed to address widely noted shortcomings.
Report
Education
Better Targeting New York’s Pupil Transportation Aid
December 12, 2012
This brief examines education funding in New York State with an emphasis on the distribution of funding versus costs across school districts. The brief includes recommended reforms to the State aid formulas in order to better target resources to the neediest districts and promote greater efficiency in school district management.
Report
Public Workforce
A Comparative Analysis of the Pay of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Officers
December 02, 2012
This brief compares the wages of Port Authority police officers with those of the largest state and local police forces in the region, as well as a federal agency. The major finding of the report is that Port Authority police officers are paid more generously than other agencies in the analysis.
Report
Economic Development
Recommendations for the Next Round of Economic Development Council Awards
October 10, 2012
This brief analyzes the first round of awards for New York State's Regional Economic Development Councils and provides recommendations to standardize and improve evaluation of programs, as well as move toward a unified economic development budget.
Report
Energy & Environment
Taxes In, Garbage Out
The Need for Better Solid Waste Disposal Policies in New York City
May 30, 2012
This report makes the case for a significant change in the New York City Department of Sanitation's solid waste disposal practices, a shift from heavy reliance on long-distance exporting to landfills to greater reliance on use of local waste-to-energy facilities.
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
Pensions & Benefits
The First Priority in the New Year – Pension Reform
January 10, 2012
This brief examines pension cost growth in New York State and its effect on the New York's competitiveness. It recommends the adoption of a new tier of pension plans known as the Tier VI Proposal.
Report
State Budget
New York State's Competitiveness: A Scorecard for 12 States
July 11, 2001
This Competitiveness Scorecard assesses the performance of the State of New York over the past five years. The scorecard examines nine different factors that contribute to economic and social well-being and compares New York to eleven other states.