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Testimony
Transportation
Testimony on 2010 MTA Capital Plan
Delivered to State Senate Standing Committees
December 03, 2009
Testimony before the New York State Senate Standing Committees on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions and Investigations and Government Operations on the MTA's 2010-2014 capital plan.
Letter
Transportation
CBC and Others Outline a Plan to Finance Long-Term Capital Needs of the MTA
May 05, 2009
This letter from the CBC and other advocates outlines a plan to finance the long-term capital needs of the MTA and its immediate operating deficit. The mobility tax should be used for expenses related to the MTA's capital plan, not for operating expenses after the first year.
Report
Transportation
Working in the Dark
Implementation of the MTA's Capital Plan
October 20, 2009
This report analyzes the MTA’s effectiveness at managing its five-year capital plans. It does so by examining the capital projects scheduled by the MTA for work in the three-year period from January 2005 to December 2007.
Testimony
Transportation
Testimony on Challenges Facing the MTA
Submitted to Senate Finance Committee
September 03, 2009
Testimony of CBC President Carol Kellermann to the New York State Senate Finance Committee regarding the critical challenges that will face the MTA in the coming years, including balancing the MTA's operating budget, financing new capital investments, and planning and implementing capital projects.
Report
Transportation
How To Balance the MTA's Budget
June 27, 2006
In order for New York to maintain a strong and vibrant economy, its transportation system has to be kept up to par and expanded to meet future needs. This report examines the two problems and suggests alternative financing policies for the MTA that would balance its operating budget and provide sufficient capital to accelerate the pace at which its facilities are brought to a state of good repair.
Report
Transportation
Refunding the MTA's Debt
The Importance of Getting it Right
May 06, 2012
This brief examines the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) large-scale refunding of outstandingdebt. It focuses on a refunding that saves money and spreads debt service costs fairly over time and does not juggle the timing of debt service costs in a manner places unfair costs on riders and taxpayers in the more
distant future.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
A More Flexible Pension Plan
January 25, 2012
Part of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s “Tier VI” proposal to make pension benefits for public employees of New York’s State and local government more affordable and sustainable over the long term is an optional 401(k)-style plan, already used widely in the private sector and becoming more common in the public sector.
Report
Transportation
A Better Way to Pay for the MTA
October 09, 2012
This report builds upon previous research on the issue of how to finance the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, particularly its mass transit services. It updates and revises the findings and recommendations of a 2006 report and seeks to provide guidelines for future budget decisions.
Video
Transportation
Citizens Budget Commission Says MTA Riders Should Pay More
NY1
October 15, 2012
As the MTA prepares to raise subway and bus fares once again, a fiscal watchdog group says riders should pay even more than what the agency is expected to propose.
Blog
Transportation
Getting the Facts Straight on Metropolitan Transportation Authority Fare Ratios
November 25, 2012
The blog describes the different ways of calculating MTA fare ratios and of comparing the MTA ratios to those of other systems.
Blog
Transportation
Suburban Smiles May Turn to Frowns
September 09, 2012
MTA revenue lost from the payroll mobility tax could be made up in a way that is far more burdensome to suburban commuters.
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.
Letter
Transportation
Letter to the Governor Regarding Ravitch Commission
January 28, 2009
In this letter CBC agrees, for the most part, with a report released by the Commission on Metropolitan Transportation Authority Financing but offers suggestions for improvement. Specifically, CBC supports legislation to implement the Commission’s core recommendations (with revision), which are highlighted in the testimony.
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
Pensions & Benefits
Six-Figure Civil Servants
Average Compensation Cost Of New York City Public Employees
January 08, 2009
In fiscal year 2008, the average compensation cost per New York City full-time employee was $106,743; this figure represents a system out of sync with the private sector and an opportunity to limit the growth of the City’s liability in the future while continuing to provide fair and adequate compensation to the City’s employees. Three factors that have driven the growth in compensation among City employees are: 1) Pay increases are directly attributable to contract settlements with unions; 2) More generous terms of the health insurance benefits offered by the City, as compared to the private sector and other state and local governments; and 3) The benefit retirement plans offered by the City that lock in the City’s future payouts to retirees based on the employee’s pay, years of employment and age at retirement among other factors. CBC offers three recommendations in response to these factors.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
A Reasonable Proposal: Sharing More of the Cost of Public Sector Pensions with Employees
February 15, 2012
Increasing the employee contribution rate for public pensions in New York State is not unreasonable. Comparisons with nationwide norms show proposal would move New York toward the middle of the pack among states.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
The Next Challenge: Retiree Health Benefits
April 16, 2012
Pension reform, done. Next up, retiree health insurance and OPEB.
Letter
State Budget
10 Do's and Don'ts for Spending the Federal Stimulus Funds
February 25, 2009
This letter to the Legislature warns that the federal aid to New York is limited and temporary, suggests ten do’s and don’ts for using the federal funds and closing the budget gap while avoiding harmful cuts and tax increases, and highlights possible allocation of the funds.
Report
Education
Striking a Balance
Financing Education Reform in the Most Heavily-Taxed State
November 01, 2006
Following up on its previous research on the issues surrounding the State Court’s decision in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case, CBC hosted two expert panel discussions focusing on key issues in education finance reform. This brief recounts the proceedings from the second of those discussions, which took place on April 27, 2006. The discussion focused on responsibly generating revenues to fund the Court’s mandate, thinking about other changes needed to accomplish reform, and developing the role of the business community in seeing reform across the finish line.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
Pension Reform: Firefighters Will Not Be Running Into Burning Buildings at Age 65
March 06, 2012
Debunks misconception that "Tier VI" proposal would have employees whose duties require certain physical capacities to work until age 65.