Policymakers throughout New York are finding it increasingly difficult to balance their budgets in the face of a depressed economy. The newly enacted tax cap has helped shine a light on the unsustainable budgeting, compensation and spending practices that are plaguing New York’s municipalities.

Empire Ideas, a new project of the Empire Center, will highlight solutions to some of the major problems confronting New York local governments and school districts. Over the coming months we’ll be releasing a series of papers outlining practical solutions to some of the most costly issues local governments face, helping them live within the cap while improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of public services. Those papers will be followed up with Empire Ideas Forums, like this one, where we will present the paper and engage regional leaders and policymakers in an open conversation on how to move forward.

This forum focused on why local governments and school districts should mandate public disclosure of tentative contract information — as a means to reduce the cost and impact public employee contracts have on local budgets — and other transparency measures.

Speakers:

E.J. McMahon
Senior Fellow
Empire Center

Hon. Tom Cilmi
County Legislator, 10th District
Suffolk County

Dr. Geoff Gordon
Superintendent (retired)
Port Washington School District

About the Author

Tim Hoefer

Tim Hoefer is president & CEO of the Empire Center for Public Policy.

Read more by Tim Hoefer

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