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Blog
Education
Making the Grade
New York State Should Ensure that Massive School Funding Increase Drives Results
September 15, 2021
New York’s schools open this year slated to receive more aid than ever from the State plus $11.4 billion in one-time federal pandemic aid that can be spent over four years.
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.”
Blog
State Budget
And State Spending Growth Resumes
Buoyed by Revenue Strength and Federal Aid
March 26, 2021
Governor’s Fiscal Year 2022 Executive Budget proposes to increase State Operating Funds spending an average of 3 percent per year over the next four fiscal years.
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.
Blog
State Budget
NYS Should Not Borrow for Operations Without Spending Restraint, Fiscal Stability Plan, Enhanced Oversight, and Transparency
February 10, 2021
Using long-term debt to fund operations can be a tempting way to close budget gaps, but it should be a last resort.
Blog
State Budget
What to Look for in the NYS FY 2022 Executive Budget
January 15, 2021
Balancing the fiscal year 2022 budget will require some combination of spending cuts, additional revenues, and other actions
Blog
State Budget
Pre-Budget Ruminations
What to Look for in the NYS Fiscal Year 2019 Executive Budget
December 17, 2017
With a reported gap between $4.4 billion and $6.3 billion, and billions in federal changes yet to be recognized, here's what CBC will ask when Governor Cuomo rolls out the 2019 Executive Budget.
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
Education
New York Per Pupil Education Spending is Nation’s Highest
Where Does the Money Come From?
September 07, 2017
Based on the most recent national data, New York spends more per pupil than any other state: $21,206 per pupil compared to the national average of $11,392 as of the 2014-2015 school year.
Blog
State Budget
A Rank of 39th for State Financial Health – Is New York Really That Bad?
August 09, 2017
A recent analysis ranks New York’s fiscal health 39th of the 50 states.
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
Housing
$1.9 Billion More For Affordable Housing, But Plan Lacks Specifics
June 30, 2017
City documents offer few details on how the new funding will be used to enhance different levels of affordability.
Blog
State Budget
When 2 Percent Isn't 2 Percent
May 30, 2017
Adjustments to consistently track year-to-year reveal a 3.7% growth rate in fiscal year 2018.
Blog
Education
State Budget Increases School Aid Without Needed Reforms
April 20, 2017
In order to adequately fund education in all districts without excessive state spending, more comprehensive modifications are required.
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.
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.
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
“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.
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.