“We have, with the tax increase of last year, the highest top marginal personal income tax in the country, and the highest corporate franchise tax in the country. And we were losing millionaires before the SALT cap. How big a threat are high taxes?” said Andrew Rein of the Citizens Budget Commission.

On February 3, 2022, Governor Hochul spoke about State budget and policy priorities and take questions from CBC President Andrew Rein.

2026 is the year the MTA will likely have spent all of its one-time COVID-19 federal aid, and when the MTA will have to address the estimated $2.5 billion annual structural operating deficit which that aid is now covering. At an event with CBC Trustees, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber and President Andrew Rein sat down for a fireside chat to discuss this and a range of other issues including ridership and the ridership experience, the newly proposed Interborough Express and other infrastructure and state of good repair needs, and how labor and management collaboration is critical to closing the operating budget gaps.

John (“Janno”) Lieber was appointed Acting Chair and CEO of the MTA in July 2021.

8 is the number of years Bill de Blasio has been Mayor of New York City. Joining the podcast to look back on those years is Emma Wolfe, Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Administration. Emma has been a top staff member and strategist for Bill de Blasio since 2010, starting as Chief of Staff when he was elected Public Advocate, and has been involved with nearly every mayoral initiative and decision of his administration.

47 is the number of people who will have held the office of NYC Comptroller once Brad Lander is sworn in on January 1, 2022. At a breakfast with CBC Trustees, President Andrew Rein sat down for a wide-ranging conversation with the Comptroller-elect, covering subjects including risks to New York’s budget, contracting reform, rezoning, and the need to fix the property tax system.

Brad Lander is the NYC Comptroller-elect and current member of the New York City Council, representing the 39th District in Brooklyn.

89 is the number of years since CBC's founding in 1932, which also makes the annual gala held on October 12, 2021 the 89th Annual Awards Dinner.

This year’s Medal for High Civic Service winner was Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. CBC was fortunate to have Governor Kathy Hochul welcome Secretary Buttigieg and talk with him about public service and issues facing New York State. After their discussion, Secretary Pete delivered remarks on efforts underway to rebuild our nations and regions infrastructure, and he generously spent some time answering CBC Trustees questions.

A very short portion of the audio was edited.

CBC presented its Medal for High Civic Service to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the Felix G. Rohatyn Award to Alair Townsend, and the Prize for Public Service Excellence to The Vaccine Command Center. CBC also paid special tribute to Research Director Emeritus Charles Brecher.

CBC presented its Medal for High Civic Service to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the Felix G. Rohatyn Award to Alair Townsend, and the Prize for Public Service Excellence to The Vaccine Command Center. CBC also paid special tribute to Research Director Emeritus Charles Brecher.

$150 million is the amount of capital funding NYC has committed toward the creation of a Center for Climate Solutions on Governors Island. Joining the podcast to discuss this and other plans for Governors Island is Alicia Glen, Chair of the Trust of Governors Island and the former Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development.

$103.3 billion is the total amount of spending authorized by the City Council for Fiscal Year 2022. While officials call it a budget of $98.3 billion, the larger figure reflects the full amount to be expended, including $6 billion available from the prior year due to higher than expected tax receipts and federal aid. Joining the podcast to discuss the adopted budget is NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer.