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Blog
Public Workforce
The High Cost of the MTA’s New Police Officers
September 25, 2019
The MTA has committed to hiring 500 new police officers to address quality of life concerns, but it is necessary to understand this strategy comes at a cost.
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
Mapping the Mayor's Housing Plan
An Update
September 18, 2017
Following the release of data on fiscal year 2017 fourth quarter housing starts, the CBC has updated its map of housing developments created or preserved under New York City’s Housing New York Plan.
Blog
City Budget
Less Spending, More Saving
Benchmarks to Assess the NYC Financial Plan
November 13, 2019
Four things the upcoming budget should do to put the city on better financial footing.
Blog
City Budget
What to Look for in the NYC Preliminary Budget for FY2018
January 23, 2017
The big questions surrounding the release of the FY2018 Preliminary Budget and Ten-Year Capital Strategy
Blog
City Budget
Sound Strategy, Sound Future
Recommended Approach for the City’s Preliminary FY 2020 Budget
February 01, 2019
A thriving economy has allowed the City to increase spending by $20 billion since fiscal year 2014. The City should undertake a necessary course correction with this four-part strategy:
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
City Budget
Can Taxi Medallions Still Be a Billion Dollar Budget Booster?
March 02, 2017
The City of New York expects to generate $1.2 billion in revenue from the sale of new taxi medallions from fiscal years 2019 to 2023; however, increased competition from ride-sharing services has resulted in a significant decrease in the value of medallions. The City should adjust its budget assumptions to reflect this situation, with the most prudent action being removing this revenue from its financial plan until the industry stabilizes.
Blog
City Budget
A PEG by Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet
April 19, 2015
Mayor de Blasio voices heartfelt interest in finding ways to save money, but he does not want to call it a PEG or put such name in his plan, at least in part because of its identification with prior administrations.
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
PEGging It Right
Guidelines for the PEG Process
March 05, 2019
For the first time since taking office, Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced plans to implement a Program to Eliminate the Gap (PEG), which requires agencies to generate savings through expense reductions or revenue enhancements. The de Blasio administration previously eschewed PEGs in favor of Citywide Savings Plans (CSPs); in contrast to the PEG, agency participation in the CSP was voluntary. Pursuing a PEG presents both a challenge and an opportunity. This blog proposes three guidelines for the process: 1) identify significantly more than $750 million in savings, 2) encourage recurring savings through efficiency, and 3) follow agencies’ leads.
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
Taxes
Pied-à-Terre Tax
Appealing but Problematic
March 13, 2019
The pied-à-terre tax is appealing politically because it is levied on wealthy people with means to pay and nonresidents who do not vote. Nevertheless, it is problematic for several reasons.
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
City Budget
Federal Aid—Needed, But Unlikely to Solve New York State’s and New York City’s Fiscal Problems
A Look Back at Stimulus Funding During the Great Recession
December 01, 2020
Even with considerable additional federal aid the State and City still will have to implement significant actions.
Blog
City Budget
What to Look for in the NYC November Modification
November 10, 2020
While the prospects for additional federal stimulus may now be brighter, federal aid will not solve all the City’s fiscal problems, but can serve as a bridge to fiscal stability if City leaders take appropriate actions.
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
City Budget
NYC FY2021 Adopted Budget
Short-Term Balance, Long-Term Challenge
July 21, 2020
After tense negotiations and a close vote ending early morning July 1, the City adopted an $88.2 billion budget for fiscal year 2021.
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.