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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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Letter
State Budget
Recommendations for Legislative Action on the FY2022 NYS Executive Budget
Letter to the State Legislature
March 01, 2021
Prudent use of federal aid would allow the State not only to close the near-term gaps, but stave off the most serious cuts and improve the State’s long run fiscal stability.
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.
Statement
City Budget
Statement on the NYC Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2022
June 30, 2021
Despite fiscal year 2021 tax revenues being $2.1 billion more than previously expected and $15 billion in additional federal aid, the budget hamstrings the next Administration with sizable future budget gaps.
Report
Economic Development
Increasing Without Evidence
NYS Economic Development Spending Update
September 26, 2016
This report tracks growth in NYS' economic development programs between 2010 and 2014. Little progress has been made on improving transparency and demonstrating effectiveness.
Report
Education
A Better Foundation Aid Formula
Funding Sound Basic Education with Only Modest Added Cost
December 12, 2016
This report explains why Foundation Aid, a need-based State school aid program, was developed, what is wrong with it, and how to make it better.
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
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.
Blog
State Budget
6 Things to Look for in New York State’s Mid-Year Budget Update
October 30, 2016
What are the important things to look out for in The Mid-Year Update to the FY 2017 Financial Plan? Coveres revenue projections, economic development, collective bargaining, medicaid, minimum wage, and budget gaps.
Blog
State Budget
NYS Should Not Borrow for Operations Without Spending Restraint, Fiscal Stability Plan, Enhanced Oversight, and Transparency
February 10, 2021
Using long-term debt to fund operations can be a tempting way to close budget gaps, but it should be a last resort.
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.
Statement
City Budget
Statement on the NYC Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2022
April 26, 2021
The Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2022 includes some commendable components but essentially fails to leverage the historic opportunity enabled by federal aid, state education support, and higher tax revenue to both provide essential services now and stabilize the City’s fiscal future
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.
Blog
City Budget
To Cross the Bridge Wisely
Strategies for NYC’s Fiscal Year 2022 Executive Budget
April 20, 2021
The soon to be released Fiscal Year 2022 Executive Budget will reveal how the Mayor proposes to address the City’s extraordinary fiscal circumstances that recently have brightened
Report
State Budget
Predicting the Peak, Preparing for the Trough
An Examination of the Impact of a Possible Recession on New York State
June 20, 2016
The impact of a possible recession could be as high as $59 billion, or 18.2 percent of tax revenues over four years.