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Blog
Public Workforce
TWU Contract
Productivity Not a Done Deal
February 18, 2020
The agreements should include greater savings, including workrule changes, to offset the impact of these increased costs.
Blog
Public Workforce
A Closer Look at Paterson's Proposed Layoffs
October 31, 2010
Review Governor Paterson's plan to lay off state workers and allow additional positions to be vacated.
Blog
Public Workforce
The Growth of NYC Employee Headcount
Time to Reduce the Size of the Public Workforce
May 18, 2020
NYC budget documents don't show a plan to shrink the workforce, which reached an all-time high, during this recession. That should change.
Blog
City Budget
Was the NYPD Budget Cut by $1 Billion?
August 13, 2020
The size of the NYPD’s budget was a prominent focus of this year’s budget negotiations, with many activists and elected officials calling for a $1 billion cut.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
Big Decisions Before Albany Do Not Deter Sweeteners
June 09, 2015
Tracking bills enhancing benefits for public employees introduced in the 2015 Legislative Session
Blog
Economic Development
Economic Development Bigger in State Budget, But Benefits Unclear
April 15, 2015
Since 2011 New York leaders have restrained growth in the state’s operating budget; in contrast, the scale and scope of questionable economic development programs continue to be expanded significantly. In 2014 state and local spending for these activities totaled $8 billion.
Blog
Economic Development
End the Empire Zones Program and Adopt Excelsior
March 24, 2010
Explains why Empire Zones were ineffective and argues in favor of the improved features of Excelsior tax credits.
Blog
City Budget
The Cost of More Cops: A Full Accounting
August 03, 2015
Police officers have a greater budget impact than most other City employees: what's the cost of 1,300 new cops?
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
Not so sweet
June 20, 2010
While the State and local governments struggle to pay for current salaries and fringe benefits of public employees and to fully fund the pension system for retirees - resorting to a "borrowing" scheme to stretch out required payments - the State Legislature has remained undeterred in introducing and acting upon bills that would add even more costs in the 2010 session.
Blog
City Budget
Buoying EDC's Operating Budget
June 01, 2020
EDC’s recent decision to reduce service hours and recalibrate routes on NYC Ferry is a step in the right direction.
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.
Video
Economic Development
Seeking Clean State Contracting
May 11, 2017
CBC's Director of State Studies David Friedfel joins Liz Benjamin and other good government groups to discuss needed reforms.
Video
Energy & Environment
John Rhodes, Chair of the Public Service Commission
A CBC Breakfast Series
October 26, 2017
CBC Breakfast conversation with John Rhodes, Chair of the Public Service Commission
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony Examining Health Care Savings Under Recent Collective Bargaining Agreements
Delivered to the NYC Council Committee on Finance
April 01, 2015
Savings that would have normally been reserved for general budget needs—such as funding libraries or maintaining public parks—and are attributable to a national slowdown in health care costs, are now being credited to the health savings agreement.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
The State and Local Pension Stretch
June 16, 2010
New York stands out for consistently setting aside adequate funds to make its employee pension systems fiscally sound, but political leaders are considering heading down a fiscally irresponsible path.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
New York Should Stop Borrowing from its Pension Funds
February 25, 2015
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Budget for FY2016 proposes to borrow an additional $1.8 billion from public employee pension funds in coming years. This proposal adds to taxpayers’ long-run costs and risks weakening the fiscal condition of the funds.
Testimony
Economic Development
Testimony on Economic Development Programs
Given to the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry, and the Standing Committee on Small Business
November 13, 2017
Testimony on economic development programs that leverage state funds to translate technological advancements into viable long-term business development and economic growth.
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
Education
Fringe Benefits Pushed New York Education Spending Higher in 2013
June 22, 2015
High levels of school spending in NY largely reflected the relatively high cost of employee compensation.