Early in 1995, the Trustees of the Citizens Budget Commission concluded that the Commission should develop a long-range vision of how the governments of the Two New Yorks--New York State and New York City--should be financed and managed in the next century. They were concerned about the debilitating effects of the State's and the City's perennial structural deficits. They also felt concern that the Two New Yorks were becoming less competitive economically with many other cities and states. And they were convinced that if something were not done quickly to reverse both these trends, New York's decline might become irreversible.
Nearly two years later, the CBC concludes the Budget 2000 Project by proposing a sweeping and, some might say, radical restructuring of the governments of the Two New Yorks. The Budget 2000 Project recommends actions that will reduce the cost of government in New York by between $12.8 and $19.7 billion, amounts large enough not only to balance the budgets of the Two New Yorks, shift the local government costs of public assistance and Medicaid to the State, and fund salary increases for workers who assist in the restructuring, but still leave at least $9.3 billion to improve New York's competitiveness by investing in the infrastructure, enhancing services and cutting taxes.
The findings and recommendations of the Budget 2000 Project are presented in seven separate reports. Budget 2000 in Brief presents a synopsis of the Project and its proposals. The Final Report of the Budget 2000 Project synthesizes the results of the two-year research effort and summarizes the conclusions of five research reports organized around major subject areas: Restructuring Government Services, Public Education, Social Welfare Spending, Tax Policy, and Capital Investment and Debt Service.
The Citizens Budget Commission gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Charles H. Revson Foundation and Time Warner Inc. for the Budget 2000 Project.
The statements and views expressed herein are solely those of the Commission.
The Commission also appreciates the financial support provided for this Project by members of the Board of Trustees.
Budget 2000 in Brief (click here to download report)
Final Report of the Budget 2000 Project (click here to download report)
Restructuring Government Services (click here for a description from the Final Report)
Public Education (click here for a description from the Final Report)
Social Welfare Spending (click here for a description from the Final Report)
Tax Policy (click here for a description from the Final Report)
Capital Investment and Debt Service (click here for a description from the Final Report)
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