CBC

School Expenditures: New York Compared to U.S.

May 15, 2012

Today New Yorkers around the state begin to vote on their school district budgets for the next school year. Most school districts are cutting back to stay within the growth levels allowed by the new property tax cap. To help keep school spending levels in perspective, here are some comparative stats on New York's school spending compared to national norms. The figures show that New york spends significantly more on salaries and fringe benefits for instructional staff than the national norm.

CBC Breakfast with NYS Thruway Authority Executive Director Thomas Madison

May 10, 2012

Presentation on the Tappan Zee Bridge Replacement by NYS Thruway Executive Director Thomas Madison

May 10, 2012

Refunding the MTA's Debt: The Importance of Getting it Right

May 07, 2012

The MTA has $32 billion in long-term debt outstanding – more than 41 states and more than $14,000 for each worker commuting daily into New York’s central business district. That is an impressively large sum, but public authority debt is not inherently a bad thing. Nonetheless, debt has become a problem for the MTA because its revenues are not keeping pace with its debt obligations.

Sneak Labor Giveaway

May 06, 2012

Across New York, the cost of health benefits for retired government employees is growing so rapidly that it threatens to crowd out funding for essential government services. Rather than lay off police or close libraries, public officials may want to use their discretion to alter retiree health insurance — but some state legislators are trying to take away that discretion.

Consulting Director of Research Charles Brecher Discusses Mayor Bloomberg's FY2012-2013 Executive Budget

May 03, 2012

A Troubling Prognosis for HHC's Finances

Apr 24, 2012

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), a vital component of the health care safety net protecting lower income New Yorkers, faces two significant fiscal challenges in the coming years.

CBC Unveils Online “Budget Navigator”

Apr 23, 2012

The CBC today unveiled a free interactive tool – called the CBC Budget Navigator – created to enable members of the public to easily track the budgets of New York City and New York State governments.

The Next Challenge: Retiree Health Benefits (Updated April 25, 2012)

Apr 17, 2012

Last month, State leaders acted to reduce future costs and create substantial long-term savings for taxpayers by adopting pension benefit reforms for new public employees. The next challenge is to address the high costs of retiree health insurance.

Economic Development Reporting in New York City: What’s Missing?

Apr 12, 2012

The bidding war between New York and New Jersey over the relocation of FreshDirect recently ended with New York City and State putting together a “winning” $125 million incentive package for the firm to move and expand into the Harlem River Yards in the Bronx.[1] The battle over FreshDirect is an example of unsound “race to the bottom” economic development p