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Blog
Transportation
MTA’s New Capital Plan Not on Track with Need for Better Service
June 15, 2017
The MTA's revised capital plan adds $2.8 billion investments, but the new money and other changes are not wholly aligned with what is needed to get the trains running on time
Blog
Transportation
Five Noteworthy Changes in the MTA's Financial Plan
March 15, 2017
The MTA's modified financial plan include 5 noteworthy changes which have the combined impact of slightly worsening the agency’s fiscal outlook.
Blog
Transportation
More Than Enough Problems
The MTA 2018 Final Proposed Budget and Four-year Financial Plan
November 27, 2017
There are unanswered questions about the MTA's 2018 budget and $1.5 billion Subway Action Plan.
Blog
Transportation
Who Pays When “The City” Gives Money to the MTA?
May 05, 2015
Calls for “the City” to provide more funding should be clear about who is really being asked to foot the bill: New York City taxpayers already provide most of the MTA's revenue through the combination of local, regional, and state taxes.
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
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
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.
Blog
Transportation
Welcome Back, Joe Lhota!
June 26, 2017
Joe Lhota returns as Chairman of the MTA. Much has occurred since Lhota last chaired the MTA, and the following charts illustrate the agency’s current plight.
Blog
Transportation
Agency Focus: NYS DOT
Budget Analysis
September 28, 2014
Two major challenges face the New York State Department of Transportation: undertaking a comprehensive needs assessment and identifying resources needed to implement a capital plan.
Blog
Transportation
A Fairer Fare Increase
March 18, 2015
Discusses another, arguably fairer, revenue-raising strategy for the MTA
Blog
Transportation
Why We Should Go Slow on the Second Avenue Subway
November 03, 2015
Why delaying plans for the second phase of the Second Avenue subway is sensible.
Blog
City Budget
Agency Focus: DEP
Budget Analysis
September 21, 2014
Three entities govern New York City's water and sewer system: the Department of Environmental Protection operates and maintains the system; the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority (WFA) borrows to finance capital investments; and the Water Board sets rates for customers to meet financing needs. Learn more.
Blog
Transportation
Best (and Worst) Stations by Subway Line
September 14, 2015
identifies the best and worst train stations in New York City Transit-MTA system.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
An Expensive Pension Enhancement Bill is on the Move
June 08, 2014
About the bill to increase disability pension benefits for police officers hired after July 1, 2009, when a more financially sustainable “Tier III” plan went into effect.
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
Giving Credit Where It’s Due? New York City’s $1.3 Billion in Health Insurance Savings
December 28, 2014
In its recent mid-year budget modification the de Blasio administration credited a coalition of municipal employee unions with achieving $1.3 billion in savings in the City’s employee and retiree health insurance costs. Yet the unions have not agreed to any changes in the plan, and the City and the unions have taken no actions to reduce costs. How can this be?
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
Capital Spending
An Update on Port Authority Budget Reform
July 22, 2014
How far has the Port Authority come on improving its budget process, long-term financial viability, and accountability to the public?
Blog
Pensions & Benefits
LIRR Pension Fraud Could Happen Again
August 04, 2014
Summarizes findings from a GAO report indicating the federal agency administering disability pensions for those workers had not done enough to prevent a repeat of a widespread fraud scheme by LIRR employees uncovered in 2008.
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
Transportation
At PATH a Higher Fare is a Fairer Fare
September 29, 2014
On October 1, 2014, the single-ride fare for the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH)—the rail system connecting Newark, Harrison, Jersey City, and Hoboken to Midtown and Lower Manhattan—will increase by 25 cents. Many riders will complain, but the simple truth is that the higher fare is a fairer fare.