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Blog
City Budget
The Citywide Savings Program: Bolder Steps Needed to Make Government More Efficient
May 24, 2016
Mayor Bill de Blasio's latest Citywide Savings Program proposes multiyear savings of $5.4 billion compared to just $2.9 billion proposed in last year’s Executive Budget. The $5.4 billion represents 1.7 percent of city-funded spending over the financial plan period; this is in the range of savings in Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plans for each of the last four years of his administration. While this may seem like a bold stride, the new CSP still falls short in the nature of its savings proposals.
Blog
City Budget
The Citywide Savings Program: OMB is Leading and Agencies Should Follow
May 31, 2017
NYC agencies should develop meaningful efforts to streamline operations and improve productivity.
Blog
City Budget
Scant Savings
Agencies Must Increase Efficiency to Meet Budget Target
February 15, 2017
The $3.8 billion Citywide Savings Program features little in the way of savings from increasing the efficiency of government operations.
Blog
City Budget
An Insufficient Savings Plan
February 24, 2016
Mayor Bill de Blasio's FY2017 budget proposal increased city-funded spending by $2.7 billion and included a Citywide Savings Program, or CSP, it was small relative to the size of the budget and savings programs of past years and insufficient to meaningfully offset the cost of new initiatives or to boost reserves.
Op Ed
State Budget
Repeal the Film Tax Credit, But Don't Expect Savings Just Yet
Even if this wasteful program is killed in 2018, its expenditures will continue for years
December 13, 2017
The Citizens Budget Commission is a long-time critic of the New York State Film Tax Credit program and supports its repeal. However, due to some unusual provisions of state tax law, repeal of the credit will not yield immediate state savings.
Testimony
Economic Development
Testimony on Economic Development Programs
Given to the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry, and the Standing Committee on Small Business
November 13, 2017
Testimony on economic development programs that leverage state funds to translate technological advancements into viable long-term business development and economic growth.
Blog
Economic Development
NY’s Economic Development Programs Costliest in the Nation
April 07, 2017
It's official: NY's economic development programs cost more than in any other state.
Testimony
Transportation
Testimony on the MTA’s Access-A-Ride Program
December 18, 2019
The City should work with the MTA to assure that Access-A-Ride will achieve firm financial footing while providing a cost-effective and efficient service.
Testimony
Economic Development
Testimony on Economic Development Programs
Delivered to the NYS Assembly Committee on Economic Development
August 03, 2016
Project-specific appropriations for economic development should cease at least until eligibility criteria are established and accountability mechanisms enhanced.
Blog
City Budget
Less Spending, More Saving
Benchmarks to Assess the NYC Financial Plan
November 13, 2019
Four things the upcoming budget should do to put the city on better financial footing.
Op Ed
Transportation
Shared sacrifice to save the subways
It's not just the mayor and governor; transit workers and motorists must chip in, too
July 28, 2017
Neither the “city” nor the “state” is a person with a bank account: it is taxpayers who are being called upon to foot the bill. Motorists and workers should also share the burden.
Letter
Economic Development
Governor Cuomo Should Veto Bills Expanding Economic Development Programs
November 20, 2017
CBC recommends Governor Cuomo veto three bills that would expand an economic development program.
Testimony
Pensions & Benefits
Testimony on Health Care Savings Under Recent Collective Bargaining Agreements
Delivered to NYC Council Committees on Finance and Civil Service
February 26, 2016
CBC has been monitoring New York City's efforts to find health savings. CBC has long advocated negotiating changes to health insurance as part of collective bargaining and applauded the labor-management agreement that committed to meet annual savings targets.
Video
Economic Development
State Economic Development Programs: Are We Getting Our Bang for Our Buck?
TWC News
September 29, 2016
Allegations in state government are bringing more light to the state's economic development - the cost of many programs continues to rise but the rate of return doesn't hold up. CBC's Dave Friedfel explains.
Video
City Budget
The Mayor Called on NYC Agencies to Cut Their Budgets, But is the City Saving Enough?
NY1 Inside City Hall
February 08, 2019
CBC President Andrew Rein and IBO Director Ronnie Lowenstein joined Errol Louis on NY1 Inside City Hall to analyze the budget and explain if the city is saving enough for the next economic downturn.
Testimony
Transportation
Testimony on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s 2020-2024 Capital Program
November 12, 2019
The plan’s sheer size renders it impossible to determine what investments should and will happen in the next five years
Press Release
Transportation
Groups call for MTA Capital Program Review Board to Follow Open Meetings Law
August 08, 2019
Seventeen groups call on MTA Capital Program Review Board to follow open meetings law.
Press Release
Education
CBC Identifies Strategies to Significantly Reduce Public School Crowding and Save $2.4 Billion
July 10, 2019
CBC released a comprehensive report demonstrating how administrative solutions can reduce school crowding.
Blog
City Budget
PEGging It Right
Guidelines for the PEG Process
March 05, 2019
For the first time since taking office, Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced plans to implement a Program to Eliminate the Gap (PEG), which requires agencies to generate savings through expense reductions or revenue enhancements. The de Blasio administration previously eschewed PEGs in favor of Citywide Savings Plans (CSPs); in contrast to the PEG, agency participation in the CSP was voluntary. Pursuing a PEG presents both a challenge and an opportunity. This blog proposes three guidelines for the process: 1) identify significantly more than $750 million in savings, 2) encourage recurring savings through efficiency, and 3) follow agencies’ leads.
Blog
City Budget
What to Look for in the Mayor’s Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2017
April 24, 2016
Asks 8 questions about the New York City Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2017 relating to revenues, spending, Health + Hospitals, reserves, the Citywide Savings Plan, the State budget, and the capital commitment plan.