CBC

How Much, and for What?

May 22, 2013

These two vital questions about New York City’s capital budget are not being addressed by the mayoral candidates. Although the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy served as a sharp reminder of the importance of public infrastructure and long-term capital planning, Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Ten-Year Capital Strategy, a plan for $54 billion in infrastructure investments, has received little attention since its release a few weeks ago with the Executive Budget.

The Next Mayor's Biggest Challenge

May 20, 2013

As the New York City mayor's race builds momentum, candidates are discussing a wide range of issues -- but not how they would tackle the biggest challenge the next mayor will certainly face: negotiating municipal labor contracts.

7 Things New Yorkers Should Know About Municipal Labor Contracts

May 20, 2013

Municipal government is the largest employer in New York City, employing almost 300,000 people to provide the services on which businesses, residents and visitors rely. This is an expensive enterprise: personnel costs, including salaries, health insurance and pensions, make up more than half of the City of New York’s $72 billion budget.

Finding a Better Way on Labor Bargaining

May 19, 2013

Taxpayers are at a disadvantage in collective bargaining with police and firefighter unions in New York state because of the way binding arbitration is done. The culprits are provisions of a statute, known as the Taylor Law, that expire July 1.

CBC Breakfast with NYS Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson

May 17, 2013

Presentation on Medicaid Redesign Given by NYS Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson

May 14, 2013

Presentation Given by NYS Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson

The Giant Slice: Legacy Costs in the New York City Budget (UPDATED)

May 10, 2013

An alarming and little known fact is that a large slice of the New York City budgetary pie does not directly support current service provision. This giant slice, dedicated to “legacy costs,” will claim almost 25 percent of the budget by fiscal year 2015 – leaving fewer dollars for other budget priorities.

The Back-loaded Impact of New York’s Fiscal Year 2013-14 Budget

May 09, 2013

Over the weekend the State Division of the Budget released the financial plan report accompanying the enacted fiscal year 2014 budget. The financial plan includes details of the budget for the current fiscal year and its implications for the next three fiscal years through March 31, 2017. The report tells a troubling story.

CBC Breakfast with NYC Deputy Mayor Cas Holloway

Apr 18, 2013

Reining in New York City's Skyrocketing Health Insurance Costs

Apr 18, 2013

The growing cost of health insurance for city employees and retirees has to be brought under control. The City's employee unions, whose contracts have expired, may prefer to wait and negotiate with the next mayor, but the election won't change the fiscal reality: the City's share of health insurance premiums for city workers and retirees is high in comparison to norms in the private and public sectors.