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Blog
Public Workforce
Why Spend to Save?
Early Retirement Incentives Save Less than Attrition
January 28, 2021
ERIs are a more costly workforce reduction strategy than attrition or layoffs.
Report
Economic Development
It's Time to End New York State's Empire Zone Program
December 02, 2008
The Economic Development Zone program has become a vehicle for giving tax breaks to a variety of corporations with no clear, consistent, verifiable justification for the public investment. This report describes the benefits enjoyed by participating firms and how those benefits are distributed among economic regions of the State and types of firms; identifies and elaborates on the three serious problems that compromise the program’s efficacy; and asserts that the Empire Zone program cannot be fixed, citing past failures to do so, and should end.
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.
Report
Health Care
Paying More, But Not Getting Better Care
The Case For A New Payment System For Nursing Homes In New York's Medicaid Program
December 09, 2008
New York’s Medicaid program is the most expensive in the nation, projected to cost $45 billion in fiscal year 2008-09 and to consume nearly one-third of the New York State budget. New York State can provide needy residents with better nursing home care and save about $1.2 billion annually in fiscal year 2008-2009 by changing the way its Medicaid program pays nursing homes. This report explains why the current system is wasteful, perpetuating inefficiencies and inequities without assuring high quality care, and how a better payment system might work.
Press Release
CBC News
WNBC-TV is co-hosting debates with Citizens Budget Commission, Telemundo 47, Politico, and New York Urban League
March 11, 2021
NYC Votes today announced the broadcast sponsors and schedule for the 2021 citywide Debate Program.
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
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.
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.
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony on Oversight of Changes to Municipal Retirees’ Health Care Plan
Testimony before the City Council Committee on Civil Service and Labor
October 28, 2021
This agreement starts right and then veers off course to miss the finish line because the resulting savings do not flow to the City’s bottom line.
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.
Testimony
Energy & Environment
Testimony on Getting to Zero Waste
Submitted to the New York City Council's Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management
April 21, 2021
Achieving zero waste requires a holistic approach that uses City resources efficiently, incentivizes residents to improve their habits, and implements targeted programs and policies.
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.
Blog
City Budget
Hiring Now, Attrition Later
One-Year Hiring Thaw Leaves Budgeted Staff Reduction For Next Mayor
July 13, 2021
In the Fiscal Year 2022 Adopted Budget, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council temporarily reversed the City’s partial hiring freeze savings plan.
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
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.
Podcast episode
State Budget
$209 billion, with State Senator Liz Krueger, E.J. McMahon, and Patrick Orecki
June 30, 2021
$209 billion is the total spending in New York State's Enacted Budget for Fiscal Year 2022. Six months ago, New York State was staring down a four-year revenue shortfall totaling $60 billion—however, revenues have strengthened and the federal government passed a stimulus bill that includes what may be the largest state and local government relief program in history. Still, the State decided to raise taxes, boost education aid, and fund a host of economic recovery programs. Joining the podcast are three guests to discuss what this means for the State's fiscal future: State Senator Liz Krueger, Senior Fellow at the Empire Center and Adjunct Fellow at the Manhattan Institute E.J. McMahon, and CBC's Director of State Studies Patrick Orecki.
Report
City Budget
Federal Aid Now, Fiscal Cliffs Later
The Missed Opportunity for NYC Budget Stability
May 24, 2021
Greater detail is needed to address these shortcomings and facilitate the transparency and accountability that should accompany this historic level of resources and the opportunity they provide.
Op Ed
City Budget
A Big Budget Briefing for Eric Adams
New York Daily News
November 16, 2021
Upon getting elected, Mayor-elect Eric Adams vowed to “get stuff done.” Adams’ focus on delivering core services and managing the budget is exactly right.
Testimony
City Budget
Testimony on Comprehensive Long-Term Planning (Intro. 2186)
Submitted to the New York City Council
February 23, 2021
Intro. 2186 proposes a new comprehensive planning framework that would reform the City’s land use and capital planning process.