"...a group that has such a long and distinguished record in identifying and addressing crucial issues affecting the governments of the city and state of New York." Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke
New York State imposes more than 200 special education mandates beyond those required by federal law. Many of them translate into higher costs and fuel rapid and unsustainable spending growth. School districts may soon get some relief, if reforms proposed by the New York State Department of Education are approved by the Board of Regents and, as needed, by the State Legislature.
CBC sent a letter of commendation to the State Legislators who voted against school district borrowing for pension contributions (A6309/S4067). See the list of legislators after the jump.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive budget released last Tuesday was a welcome change. Breaking with past practice in Albany, he proposed closing the state's budget gap with $9 billion worth of serious belt-tightening.
CBC released today a new report on how New Yorkers should judge the next teachers’ contract with the City of New York. The latest teachers’ contract expired on October 31, 2009, and a new agreement is expected to be reached soon.
The New York City teachers’ contract expired on October 31, 2009. A new agreement may be reached soon. As the City faces a $5 billion budget gap for the next fiscal year and key educational reforms remain unfinished, here are key questions parents and taxpayers should ask to judge whether the next contract is a good deal for them.
CBC President Carol Kellermann submits this written testimony to the City Council joint Education and Contracts Committee hearing; CBC has two recommendations to increase accountability and transparency with regard to all of DOE’s fiscal operations, including contracting and procurement.
CBC Deputy Research Director Elizabeth Lynam testifies to a Joint Hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Government and the Assembly Committee on Real Property Taxation. To fund more appropriate taxpayer relief mechanisms the Middle Class STAR program should be replaced with an improved circuit breaker.
CBC supports the recommendations of the Local Property Tax Relief Commission. Local property taxes in New York State are far too high, and the State needs to stop forcing costs onto local communities that can no longer afford them. High local taxes are in part driven by an undue burden placed on municipalities by the State.
Printer-friendly version
