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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Blog
State Budget
An Expensive Deal in Albany
June 28, 2015
The legislative package passed in Albany last week rejected some misguided and expensive proposals, including a tax credit for benefactors of private schools. Unfortunately, other expensive proposals were included, adding to current and future state expenses without providing offsetting savings or revenues.
Testimony
Housing
Testimony on the Adams Administration’s Housing our Neighbors Plan
Submitted to the City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings
July 01, 2022
Affordable housing production is also only one piece of the housing policy toolkit. While increasing the supply of affordable units is critical, the City, State and federal governments address the demand side, as well, by subsidizing household incomes, primarily though rental housing vouchers and other household subsidies and through workforce development programs.
Letter
Taxes
CBC Recommendations to the New York State Tax Relief Commission
November 26, 2013
This letter to the NYS Tax Relief Commission includes cautions about the State's ability to commit to large new property tax relief programs, and recommendations for providing better relief with the $4 billion the State spends on current programs.
Special Feature
City Budget
Facts About The NYC Budget
2019
May 13, 2019
A snapshot of NYC's budget, including projections for spending, headcount, savings, liabilities, and revenue shortfalls in case of a recession.
Blog
Economic Development
Shrink, Don’t Expand, the New York State Film Tax Credit
March 06, 2023
The current program already is overly generous compared to other states and should be phased out.
Report
Education
Cut Costs, Not Ribbons
Alternatives That Reduce School Crowding
July 09, 2019
Administrative solutions can reduce school crowding and limit the need to build expensive new school buildings.
Report
Taxes
The Citizens Budget Commission Review of Circuit Breakers
February 04, 2008
CBC recently looked at the option of expanding New York’s existing circuit breaker program to provide targeted relief to the neediest taxpayers as background for a forum on local tax relief convened on December 6, 2007. Based on that review of options the following points, outlined in this report, can be highlighted: 1) Circuit breakers are common; 2) New York’s circuit breaker needs reform; and 3) The poorly crafted School Tax Relief Program (STAR) would work better as a circuit breaker.
Statement
State Budget
Statement on Economic Development Database and Film Tax Credit in the Fiscal Year 2023 Enacted Budget
April 08, 2022
For too long New York has been a leader in economic development spending, but not a leader in economic development program results.
Report
Transportation
Refunding the MTA's Debt
The Importance of Getting it Right
May 06, 2012
This brief examines the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) large-scale refunding of outstandingdebt. It focuses on a refunding that saves money and spreads debt service costs fairly over time and does not juggle the timing of debt service costs in a manner places unfair costs on riders and taxpayers in the more
distant future.
Blog
Taxes
New York City Homeowners
Who's Got the Unfairest Tax Burden of Them All?
September 12, 2018
One of the basic principles of good tax policy is equity: similarly situated taxpayers should have similarly sized tax bills. New York City’s property tax system does not comport with this principle.