What's the [DATA] Point?

What's the [DATA] Point? is a podcast by Citizens Budget Commission and Gotham Gazette on New York State and City policies.

 

It's hosted by Ben Max, Executive Editor of Gotham Gazette, and Andrew Rein, President of the Citizens Budget Commission, and produced by Kevin Medina and William J. Rice.

 

Stream below or download on your phone via iTunes, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.

 

Episodes

Podcast episode Housing

1 in 3, with Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz

November 11, 2022
1 in 3 is the number of households in New York City that are severely rent burdened. That means nearly 600,000 households are spending more than half of their monthly income on rent, electricity, and heat. At a recent CBC Trustee event, Jessica Katz, NYC's Chief Housing Officer, discussed how the Adams administration is tackling NYC's housing needs and managing its housing agenda to ensure success.
Podcast episode Housing

2 1/2, the Land Use Edition

October 04, 2022
2 1/2 is the average number of years it takes a private rezoning application to get approved in New York City, and that doesn't include the often lengthy informal pre-review negotiations. This is one of many findings in CBC's report "Improving New York City's Land Use Decision-Making Process," which can be found at cbcny.org. At a special panel discussion, Maria Torres-Springer, the Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development, delivered opening remarks on the Administration's efforts to tackle New York's housing challenges, followed by a policy panel steeped in experience with New York City's land use process.
Podcast episode Economic Development

28, with Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer

July 06, 2022
28 is the number of core strategies and initiatives in Mayor Eric Adams' recently unveiled plan - "Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for NYC Economic Recovery." The blueprint focuses on small businesses, entrepreneurship, an equitable economy and inclusive growth, connecting New Yorkers to quality jobs, and more. At an event with CBC Trustees, Maria Torres-Springer, the Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development, discussed the blueprint's important elements and how they will benefit current and future New Yorkers. The SoundCloud content at https://soundcloud.com/ggcbcpodcast/episode-118-28-with-deputy-mayor-maria-torres-springerhttps://soundcloud.com/ggcbcpodcast/episode-118-28-with-deputy-mayor-maria-torres-springer is not available, or it is set to private.
Podcast episode State Budget

$220 billion, with Senator Liz Krueger

April 19, 2022
$220 billion is the reported size of the New York State fiscal year 2023 budget that the Governor and Legislature adopted on April 10. The budget includes a property tax rebate and a tax holiday, and increases State spending about $14 billion, with more money for education aid, day care, rent relief, health care, and a new stadium, among other programs. Joining the podcast to unpack the new budget is Chair of the State Senate Finance Committee, Senator Liz Krueger.
Podcast episode State Budget

$0, with Robert Mujica

March 18, 2022
$0 is the size of the New York State budget deficit in each year of New York State’s five-year Executive Budget financial plan, as proposed by Governor Kathy Hochul. The Governor’s budget proposal balances the budget in each of the next five years, an unprecedented level of fiscal stability for the State. This balance and fiscal strength is driven by strong State tax receipts and extraordinary federal fiscal relief. The proposed budget also makes significant deposits to reserves. At an event with CBC Trustees, New York State Budget Director Robert Mujica presented the details of the State’s budget, and the fiscal and economic outlook going forward.

Podcast episode State Budget

$216 billion, with Governor Kathy Hochul

February 11, 2022
$216 billion is the size of New York State fiscal year 2023 budget proposed by Governor Kathy Hochul. The proposed spending plan is balanced over five years and makes significant deposits to reserves, but also maintains high taxes and accelerates State spending growth. At an event with CBC Trustees, Governor Hochul and CBC President Andrew Rein discussed the continued improvement of the State's fiscal outlook, budget negotiations, priorities for COVID recovery, the MTA and more.
Podcast episode Transportation

2026, with MTA Chair & CEO Janno Lieber

January 30, 2022
2026 is the year the MTA will likely have spent all of its one-time COVID-19 federal aid, and when the MTA will have to address the estimated $2.5 billion annual structural operating deficit which that aid is now covering. At an event with CBC Trustees, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber and President Andrew Rein sat down for a fireside chat to discuss this and a range of other issues including ridership and the ridership experience, the newly proposed Interborough Express and other infrastructure and state of good repair needs, and how labor and management collaboration is critical to closing the operating budget gaps.
Podcast episode City Budget

8, with Emma Wolfe

December 16, 2021
8 is the number of years Bill de Blasio has been Mayor of New York City. Joining the podcast to look back on those years is Emma Wolfe, Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Administration. Emma has been a top staff member and strategist for Bill de Blasio since 2010, starting as Chief of Staff when he was elected Public Advocate, and has been involved with nearly every mayoral initiative and decision of his administration.