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Blog
Housing
NYCHA’s Physical Conditions Remain the Worst in the City
Insights from the 2017 Housing and Vacancy Survey
August 29, 2018
Every three years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey (HVS), which provides the most comprehensive information available on the size, nature, and condition of New York City’s housing stock.
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.
Blog
City Budget
Reduction in Uniformed Overtime Is Still Needed
July 12, 2018
Without workrule changes the City’s uniformed overtime caps are unlikely to be successful. In fact, several agencis have already exceeded their FY 2018 caps.
Blog
Public Workforce
The Cost of a Growing City Workforce
Ballooning Budgets and Long-term Liabilities
July 10, 2018
NYC’s municipal workforce is projected to reach a record 331,520 employees by the end of fiscal year 2019. Headcount expansion has a significant impact on the City’s budget and long-term financial position.
Blog
State Budget
Reallocate Settlement Payments to Boost Rainy Day Funds
July 09, 2018
NYS has wom more than $11 billion in litigation settlements since FY 2014-2015. The spending of some of the settlement funds have more merit than others, but one major shortcoming is that none of the funds were allocated to boosting reserves.
Blog
City Budget
NYC Adopted Budget Falls Short
June 26, 2018
On June 14, 2018 the New York City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget. Given strong economic growth and some higher than expected tax revenue generated by federal tax reform, the ample resources allowed Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Council to come to a deal quickly.
Blog
Economic Development
Governor Should Reject Ten Economic Development Bills
June 25, 2018
Ten bills to expand economic development spending had been passed by both houses of the legislature and will eventually end up on the Governor’s desk to sign or veto.
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
Pensions & Benefits
Bitter Truth
Many Benefit Sweeteners Lack Required Fiscal Estimates
June 06, 2018
To date the New York State Legislature has introduced 138 bills in this session that enhance the benefits of state and local public employees. How much these bills could cost taxpayers is unknown.
Blog
State Budget
The State Budget Cap Has Lost Its Meaning
May 29, 2018
Keeping with Albany tradition, the state's leaders adopted the budget on the final day of last fiscal year in the wee hours of the morning with little debate and no transparency, once again proclaiming the budget complies with a 2 percent growth cap.
Blog
City Budget
A $3 Billion Problem
Homeless Services in New York City
May 24, 2018
Despite multipronged concerted efforts, the dramatic growth in City spending on homeless services has not reduced the number of people in shelters, and homelessness remains a serious problem.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
Four Egregious Benefit Enhancement Bills
2018 Benefit Sweetener Scorecard Update
May 18, 2018
The 135 active bills identified on the Citizens Budget Commission’s 2018 Benefit Sweetener Scorecard this session could cost the State and local governments at least $428 million.
Blog
City Budget
NYC Budget to Absorb $1 Billion in Additional Spending Due to State Actions
April 23, 2018
The upcoming City budget will have to contend with some sizable impacts from the recently-enacted State budget.
Blog
City Budget
The Time is Right for New York City to Act on Plastic Bags
April 16, 2018
With Earth Day approaching, the City should enact a ban on plastic bags combined with a fee on alternatives.
Blog
Health Care
DSH Cuts Delayed
Opportunity for State Reform
April 11, 2018
NYS shouldn't miss an important opportunity to revise its distribution of funds to target hospitals with the greatest needs.
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
Health Care
Three Strikes Against the Governor’s Proposed Conversion Revenue
March 13, 2018
Counting on the revenue from health insurance company conversations is not prudent for three important reasons.
Blog
State Budget
California Dreaming
NY Should Build Reserves to Prepare for a Rainy Day
March 12, 2018
California is a leader in funding reserves for a rainy day--New York State should follow its example.
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
City Budget
PEGging Efficiency:
More Savings Needed Under Mayor de Blasio
March 05, 2018
Find out how Mayor de Blasio's savings plan stacks up against the savings found in Mayor Bloomberg's last three preliminary budgets.