Local Governments

Binding Arbitration Law: Don’t Extend It, Improve It

Jun 14, 2013

An important agenda item for the final week of the New York State legislative session will be whether and how to extend the law, expiring July 1, that permits police, firefighters and other unionized law enforcement officials to resolve labor contract impasses through binding arbitration. Rather than renewing the statute as a matter of routine, as has occurred for decades, State leaders should amend the statute to address its key weakness: inadequate consideration of the fiscal condition of State and local governments.

Letters to the State Comptroller and NYSTRS on the Governor's "Fixed Rate" Pension Contribution Plan

Feb 25, 2013

I am writing to share the views of the Citizens Budget Commission on Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to allow local governments to opt into a “fixed rate” contribution plan to fund their public employee pension obligations. We believe this proposal would endanger the future financial viability of the pension plans and recommend you reject it.

	Letter to the Comptroller
	Letter to NYSTRS

Governor Cuomo’s Third Budget: Priorities for Fiscal Year 2013-14

Dec 18, 2012

Over the last two years New York State has successfully tackled serious budget issues – curbing rapidly rising public employee pension costs, negotiating reasonable contracts for the state workforce, and implementing significant reforms in Medicaid. These actions helped improve the State’s fiscal condition to the extent that the projected budget gap in fiscal year 2013-14 is a historically low $982 million but important work remains to be done. Four important challenges face state leaders as they prepare the next budget:

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.

How Sick Leave Can Be Bad for a Locality's Fiscal Health, and Health Insurance May Be Even Worse

Jul 02, 2012

Borrowing by local governments to pay for operating expenses is bad financial management; it forces future residents to pay for services consumed by those living in a jurisdiction today, often burdening children with the cost of benefits enjoyed by the current generation.

Interactive Chart: Medicaid Cost Estimator

Jan 25, 2012

Improving the Way New York Pays for Medicaid

Jan 25, 2012

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposals for fiscal year 2012-13 include an important first step towards fixing a longstanding flaw in the way New York pays for its Medicaid program.

Finally Retire New York's Overpriced Pensions

Jan 23, 2012

President Carol Kellermann pens an op-ed urging the legislature to pass Governor Cuomo's proposal to modernize the State's pension system by offering new employees a 401(k)-style option.

Carol Kellermann: Pension Reform is Highest Priority

Jan 17, 2012

President Carol Kellermann pens an op-ed urging Governor Cuomo to pursue pension reform in his 2012-2013 Executive Budget.

The First Priority in the New Year – Pension Reform

Jan 11, 2012

As 2012 begins and the New York State Legislature begins a new session, its first priority should be reform of the financing and benefits of pensions for state and local employees. Such reforms are urgently needed because (1) the relatively high cost of the current system places New York at a competitive disadvantage, and (2) these costs have been growing and are projected to continue growing, making a bad situation worse.