CBC

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.

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.

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.

NY's People Strengths Need Constant Work

Feb 10, 2013

Human capital is a hot topic. Thriving in the information economy requires a highly skilled workforce with specialized expertise and an ability to innovate. Attracting such a workforce is essential to New York's ability to retain strength in core industries and cultivate emerging ones.

City Workers, Pay Your Share

Feb 04, 2013

The cost of health insurance for New York City public employees and retirees is projected to grow by almost 40% by 2016 — rising to nearly $7 billion a year. That growth will amount to $1.5 billion of the $1.9 billion budget deficit projected for 2016.

Priorities for Governor Cuomo's Next Budget

Dec 18, 2012

Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature have successfully tackled serious budget issues in recent years, but important challenges remain. These must be addressed in his next budget in order to improve the state's fiscal condition and give local governments better tools to manage their structural deficits.

A Better Way to Pay for the MTA

Oct 17, 2012

CBC President Carol Kellermann pens an opinion piece for the Huffington Post on the importance of creating a new approach to financing the MTA. The op-ed is premised on our latest MTA report, "A Better Way to Pay for the MTA"

Stretching New York's Public Education Dollar

Oct 15, 2012

CBC President Carol Kellermann pens an opinion piece on the Huffington Post on how New York State's education dollars are spread inequitably among school districts and spent disproportionately on employee benefits, not on improving the quality of education.

MTA Finances: A Looming Train Wreck

Sep 24, 2012

CBC President Carol Kellermann pens an op-ed about the serious financial troubles facing the MTA and the need for a long-term solution.

Albany Handcuffs New York’s Cities

Jul 05, 2012

Local governments in New York are under serious and growing fiscal pressure, and the Legislature isn’t doing enough to ease the burden. Unfortunately, the Legislature seems oblivious. There was no progress on important bills introduced earlier in the spring session, and in the final days of June a few bills passed that could even make things worse.