LIRR's ranking for vehicle maintenance efficiency measures amonth the ten largest commuter rail systems, despite having the youngest average fleet age.
This testimony by CBC Deputy Research Director Elizabeth Lynam emphasizes two key points about New York’s personal income tax and offers a framework for thinking about tax reform in the current fiscal context: 1) New York’s personal income tax is progressive, but its overall tax structure is not; and 2) New York’s economic competitiveness should be an important factor in considering changes to
This testimony by CBC President Carol Kellermann, written in response to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s modification to the fiscal year 2009 budget, urges the City Council to not vote to increase the property tax without simultaneously pursuing from the State Legislature reforms to make this tax more equitable and economically efficient.
CBC Deputy Research Director Elizabeth Lynam testifies to a Joint Hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Government and the Assembly Committee on Real Property Taxation. To fund more appropriate taxpayer relief mechanisms the Middle Class STAR program should be replaced with an improved circuit breaker.
CBC supports the recommendations of the Local Property Tax Relief Commission. Local property taxes in New York State are far too high, and the State needs to stop forcing costs onto local communities that can no longer afford them. High local taxes are in part driven by an undue burden placed on municipalities by the State.
CBC comments on legislation under consideration by the New York State Legislature that would impose unfunded mandates on local governments by restricting their flexibility to address the growing liability of retiree health insurance.
CBC recently looked at the option of expanding New York’s existing circuit breaker program to provide targeted relief to the neediest taxpayers as background for a forum on local tax relief convened on December 6, 2007.