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Blog
Public Workforce
Why Spend to Save?
Early Retirement Incentives Save Less than Attrition
January 28, 2021
ERIs are a more costly workforce reduction strategy than attrition or layoffs.
Blog
Economic Development
Complement, Don't Duplicate
Targeting NYC Small Business Recovery Programs
June 21, 2021
It is critically important for the City to identify potential gaps first by determining which businesses are eligible for which existing programs and whether those programs reasonably meet their needs.
Press Release
CBC News
WNBC-TV is co-hosting debates with Citizens Budget Commission, Telemundo 47, Politico, and New York Urban League
March 11, 2021
NYC Votes today announced the broadcast sponsors and schedule for the 2021 citywide Debate Program.
Blog
Public Workforce
A Premium Option
School Districts Can Save $850 Million By Following the State’s Lead on Health Insurance
February 22, 2021
In response to New York State’s fiscal year 2022 budget gap, the executive budget calls for a change to the composition of school funding.
Report
City Budget
The Myth of the "Uncontrollables"
Four Ways New York City Can Take Control of Its Financial Future and Save $2.5 Billion per Year
May 11, 2005
For years New York City mayors have bemoaned the fact that much of the budget is uncontrollable: pension fund contributions, health insurance, Medicaid, and debt service. This report suggests four ways to reduce the “uncontrollables” and save $2.5 billion annually.
Blog
City Budget
Bridge Over Troubled Fiscal Waters?
Only if Federal Aid Is Used Wisely
March 15, 2021
With more than $5 billion in additional federal relief expected to flow to New York City, the appropriate course of action now would be to address the most pressing pandemic and related expenses and responsibly backfill shortfalls in tax revenues temporarily but resist the urge to fund programs with recurring costs without a long run fiscal stability plan.
Blog
City Budget
Why the Latest PEG Is Not Likely to Be the Last in NYC's Budget
December 05, 2012
This blog explains why a savings plan, known as the "PEG" is necessary in the Nov 2013 NYC budget modification, examines the savings, and offers broader perspective on the city's fiscal challenges.
Report
Transportation
The Track to Fiscal Stability
Operations Reforms for the MTA
May 25, 2021
Given the implementation challenges, saving the full $2.9 billion by 2024 may not be likely. Still, significant changes should be pursued—and achieved—if the MTA is to be on a fiscally sustainable path.
Blog
Transportation
Light, at the Beginning of the Tunnel
What to Look for in the MTA 2021 July Financial Plan
July 20, 2021
While the path to achieving operating savings is hard, it is much preferable to phase in these savings over the next few years than to have massive fare and toll increases, economically damaging service cuts, or significant increases in dedicated taxes and subsidies.
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony on Oversight of Changes to Municipal Retirees’ Health Care Plan
Testimony before the City Council Committee on Civil Service and Labor
October 28, 2021
This agreement starts right and then veers off course to miss the finish line because the resulting savings do not flow to the City’s bottom line.
Blog
Public Workforce
Rising Again
City Reverses Course on Workforce Reduction
June 08, 2021
With annual budget gaps in fiscal years 2023 to 2025 nearing $5 billion (including unspecified labor savings), the City should not increase the size of its workforce.
Testimony
Energy & Environment
Testimony on Getting to Zero Waste
Submitted to the New York City Council's Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management
April 21, 2021
Achieving zero waste requires a holistic approach that uses City resources efficiently, incentivizes residents to improve their habits, and implements targeted programs and policies.
Statement
City Budget
CBC Statement on NYC’s November 2021 Financial Plan for Fiscal Years 2022 to 2025
November 30, 2021
While the plan reduces the budget gaps to $2.9 billion for next year, $2.7 billion in fiscal year 2024, and $2.1 billion in fiscal year 2025, in reality the gaps are about $750 million higher annually because the plan includes illusionary labor and attrition savings.
Blog
City Budget
Hiring Now, Attrition Later
One-Year Hiring Thaw Leaves Budgeted Staff Reduction For Next Mayor
July 13, 2021
In the Fiscal Year 2022 Adopted Budget, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council temporarily reversed the City’s partial hiring freeze savings plan.
Blog
City Budget
Restoring City Priorities Along With Spending Cuts
June 21, 2012
The Mayor and City Council's “budget dance” focuses largely on child care slots and after-school programs, but should really be about the City’s overly generous contributions to the health insurance of former City employees and their spouses.
Blog
Health Care
Improving the Way New York Pays for Medicaid
January 24, 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.
Blog
Transportation
Getting the Pricing Right
Six Recommendations for Congestion Pricing
July 28, 2021
As the Traffic Mobility Review Board considers its recommendations and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority determines the policies and implements the program, they should follow six recommendations
Podcast episode
State Budget
$209 billion, with State Senator Liz Krueger, E.J. McMahon, and Patrick Orecki
June 30, 2021
$209 billion is the total spending in New York State's Enacted Budget for Fiscal Year 2022. Six months ago, New York State was staring down a four-year revenue shortfall totaling $60 billion—however, revenues have strengthened and the federal government passed a stimulus bill that includes what may be the largest state and local government relief program in history. Still, the State decided to raise taxes, boost education aid, and fund a host of economic recovery programs. Joining the podcast are three guests to discuss what this means for the State's fiscal future: State Senator Liz Krueger, Senior Fellow at the Empire Center and Adjunct Fellow at the Manhattan Institute E.J. McMahon, and CBC's Director of State Studies Patrick Orecki.
Report
Transportation
Refunding the MTA's Debt
The Importance of Getting it Right
May 06, 2012
This brief examines the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) large-scale refunding of outstandingdebt. It focuses on a refunding that saves money and spreads debt service costs fairly over time and does not juggle the timing of debt service costs in a manner places unfair costs on riders and taxpayers in the more
distant future.
Report
State Budget
Recommendations for the New York State 2005-2006 Budget
March 21, 2005
CBC recommends for the fiscal year 2005-2006 State budget: 1) Significantly reduce spending on Medicaid and on ineffective programs; 2) Make meaningful progress in a long-run realignment of state and local fiscal responsibilities for Medicaid and school financing; 3) Balance the budget with recurring revenues; and 4) Enact the budget on time and in full sunlight.