Search
Showing 1 - 20 of 203
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.
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.
Blog
State Budget
New York’s $1 Billion Brownfield Cleanup Program
March 17, 2015
Overview of Brownfield Cleanup Program
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
Housing
Testimony on the Impact of NYCHA's RAD/PACT Program
Submitted to the City Council Committee on Public Housing
May 03, 2022
The New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) programs deliver meaningful changes for NYCHA residents, but it alone will not solve NYCHA's capital crisis.
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.
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.
Testimony
Transportation
Public Comment on the Proposed Structure For the Central Business District Tolling Program
Submitted to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
February 29, 2024
While the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) has long held the position that there should not be credits for bridge or tunnel crossings, we believe the Traffic Mobility Review Board’s (TMRB) congestion pricing toll recommendations, as a whole, are reasonable.
Op Ed
City Budget
How New York City Can Afford Fair Fares
Slowing the growth of the city’s workforce would provide the needed savings
April 16, 2018
The Fair Fares proposal can be accommodated within the city budget by exercising greater restraint in hiring and more aggressively tackling inefficiencies in its operations.
Blog
Housing
4 Fast FHEPS Facts
May 08, 2023
The cost of these rental assistance programs has increased immensely, from $16 million in fiscal year 2015 to an anticipated $636 million in fiscal year 2023.
Report
Housing
The Potential for Office-to-Residential Conversions
Lessons from 421-g
December 11, 2022
This brief analyzes how the 421-g program was used and offers lessons for designing a cost-effective program to support office-to-residential conversions in today’s market.
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.
Blog
Capital Spending
Design-Build Contracting
A Way to Fix More Bridges for Less Money
February 17, 2016
State legislators should enable New York City to benefit from design-build contracting: if it realized savings on par with the State’s experience, the City could save $2 billion over 10 years.
Report
Transportation
Access-A-Ride
Ways to Do the Right Thing More Efficiently
September 20, 2016
This report identifies strategies and options the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) can pursue to improve the financial outlook and quality of Access-A-Ride, the paratransit program.
Letter
State Budget
Recommendations for FY 2009-2010 State Budget
February 02, 2009
This letter to the state legislature suggests two strategic directions to guide budget policy and offers a roadmap that avoids harmful tax increases and makes spending better serve New Yorkers by suggesting reforms in five key areas: Medicaid, school aid, correctional facilities, public employee benefits, and programs like STAR and Empire Zones.
Blog
Public Workforce
TWU Contract
Productivity Not a Done Deal
February 18, 2020
The agreements should include greater savings, including workrule changes, to offset the impact of these increased costs.
Press Release
City Budget
CBC Releases NYC Resident Feedback Survey Results
May 16, 2017
The results show which municipal services are in greatest need of improvement.
Letter
Housing
NYCHA's Project Labor Agreement Needs Evaluation
A Letter to the Mayor and NYCHA Chair
March 05, 2018
Has the PLA between NYCHA and the BCTC delivered on expected savings? An evaluation is needed before any decision to renew the PLA.