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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.
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony on Oversight of Changes to Municipal Retirees’ Health Care Plan
Testimony before the City Council Committee on Civil Service and Labor
October 28, 2021
This agreement starts right and then veers off course to miss the finish line because the resulting savings do not flow to the City’s bottom line.
Testimony
State Budget
Testimony on New School Aid Spending and Performance
Testimony submitted to the New York State Senate Committees on Education, New York City Education, and Budget and Revenue
October 05, 2021
New York State should ensure that this massive school funding increase drives results and target school aid to districts with the greatest needs.
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:
Op Ed
State Budget
Our New Governor’s Budget-Balancing Act
New York Daily News
September 01, 2021
Tackling these crises requires swift action. It is encouraging to hear Hochul emphasize performance and transparency. Her next step should be to convert those pledges into action.
Op Ed
State Budget
Enough waiting for transparency
Albany Times Union
May 15, 2021
Ten years ago this week, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission opened a portal for New Yorkers to “suggest ways to improve the efficiency and quality of government services.”
Op Ed
Public Workforce
Early Retirement Incentives for City Workers Is Foolhardy and Expensive
Crain’s New York Business
April 15, 2021
New York state has just authorized New York City to offer most civilian employees an incentive to retire early. The city should flatly reject this opportunity.
Op Ed
City Budget
Fed aid is a bridge; stable shore needed: American Rescue Plan good for NYC only if used prudently
New York Daily News
March 13, 2021
The American Rescue Plan will not only provide tremendous support to individuals, families, businesses and organizations, but can be a game-changer for New York state and city government. Success, however, is far from guaranteed.
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.
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.
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.
Testimony
Education
Public Comment on School Planning and Siting Process
Submitted to the NYC Council Working Group on School Planning, Siting, and Overcrowding
May 24, 2017
CBC offers two recommendations for improving the school planning and siting process: maximize use of existing capacity, and target new capacity to areas with the highest need.
Op Ed
City Budget
End de Blasio’s giveaway to bus companies
May 09, 2017
The program was bad policy from the outset-- and was extended for a third year. The City Council should defund it when the budget is adopted.
Op Ed
Transportation
Funding Fares Should Be the City's Responsiblity
April 02, 2017
If the mayor supports the policy, it should be a priority that is accommodated within the city’s financial plan.
Op Ed
Education
Fix NY's broken formula for distributing school aid
March 22, 2017
How much more funding should New York state provide to Syracuse public schools? A report by the Citizens Budget Commission, for which I was the primary author, says that an increase of $83 million is needed for the City of Syracuse school district.
Op Ed
Education
How Much More State Education Funding Is Needed?
March 08, 2017
With reforms to the way funding is distributed, the State can fund a "sound, basic education" with $569 million more in annual funding.
Testimony
Economic Development
On Economic Development Proposals in the NYS Executive Budget for FY2018
Submitted to the Joint Legislative Conference on Economic Development
January 31, 2017
The growth of economic development costs should be halted until the effectiveness is demonstrated through standardized performance measures and transparent reporting.
Testimony
City Budget
Comments on Proposed Small Business Services Rule on Bus Contracts
Pursuant to Section 1301 of the New York City Charter
January 30, 2017
CBC opposes extending the Department of Small Business Services program providing grants to companies that provide school bus transportation in order to maintain the wages and benefits of certain employees for a third year.