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"Changes in the timing and structure of financial services sector compensation, which have resulted in lower than expected personal income tax [PIT] revenues" led to a $1 billion state PIT shortfall in January, which in turn has helped add $750 milli Read More

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley "is looking to lure employers from Oregon after that state's voters approved a huge tax increase last week," the Wall Street Journal . The tax hike in Oregon "will help our economic development immedi Read More

For every $100, the state of New York spends on employee salaries, it now spends another $44 on benefits. That figure will jump to $62 dollars in three years, according to the budget division. As the New York Post : The Read More

In testimony to Albany's Joint Legislative Fiscal Committees, E.J. reminded lawmakers why he's giving them the following counsel: "First, do not add any more to the state's tax burden." A excerpt to remind Albany that we've already Read More

As part of the White House's $3.8 trillion 2011 , President Obama has proposed making the "Build America Bonds" program permanent. Build America Bonds have offered states and localities a quick fix since Washington created them in the stimulus packa Read More

When New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg says Governor Paterson's proposed budget will force him to lay off nearly 12,000 city employees, he appears to ignore his role of negotiating 4 percent employees raises during a recession. Expect similar Read More

Nicole dissects Mayor Bloomberg's preliminary 2011 budget in .   Her key point: while news coverage of what the Times as a "grim budget" has concentrated heavily on the mayor's proposed cuts, Bloomberg actually is relying much more heavil Read More

Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign scored some good points with the Transport Workers Union this week, for taking $50 million and "putting [it] into their capital budget -- money that is desperately needed to keep trains and buses running. Read More

Today, a panel of arbitrators ruled against Ground Zero developer Larry Silverstein in many respects on his longstanding dispute with the Port Authority, which owns the land. But the arbitrators also handed Silverstein a big victory -- one Read More

Providing health insurance to retired Utica teachers will cost taxpayers $189 million over the next 30 years, an amount the school board president calls "scary." When it ratified a teachers contract in September 2008, the school board did not know Read More