Manhattan beep and mayoral candidate Scott Stringer says he has a "bold plan" for the MTA. But beneath the fancy talk of an "infrastructure bank" and "dedicated revenue," it's the same old plan: more taxes. Read More
Blog
My latest Newsday column looks at the complexity of the New York State’s personal income tax, the temporary income tax changes enacted last December, and Governor Cuomo’s promise (so far, unfulfilled) to appoint a commission to consider a “comprehensive overhaul” of the tax code. Read More
New York’s economic performance over the past decade was mediocre — but its future looks worse, according to the 5th annual Rich States, Poor States report, just issued by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Read More
A January report by United NY, the Center for Working Families, and the Strong Economy for All Coalition slamming the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for its “expensive” and “risky” swap deals is getting new attention this week. Read More
The Charlotte Valley School District in Delaware County had a tough employment situation on their hands until just last week. Former building principal Edgar Whaley had been a focus of controversy — going back at least a year. But that’s all settled now, thanks to a secret, lucrative contract settlement passed by the school’s board of education late last week. Read More
The agreed upon fiscal year 2012-13 state budget contains two smart policy initiatives that both save money and happen to be good public policy: a state takeover of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) state supplement payment and enactment of a new close to home initiative for low and limited risk youthful offenders. Read More
According to the Wall Street Journal, Seven World Trade Center, Larry Silverstein’s first Ground Zero rebuilding effort, is now worth $940 million. Read More
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron and New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg paid to Goldman Sachs chief Lloyd Blankfein in New York last week. The visits highlight a big risk to both Britain and New York's recoveries. Top leaders o Read More
In delivering on Speaker Sheldon Silver's session-opening pledge to eliminate taxes on New Yorkers earning less than $30,000, Assembly Democrats have come up with a scheme that would make proud. Keep in mind the households in question already pay Read More
So, what to make of this Tier 6 pension thing? Is it truly “bold and transformational” ? Read More
The agreed-upon Tier 6 bill restores much of the benefit reduction originally proposed by Governor Cuomo–especially for career employees. Read More
Based on initial reports of Governor Cuomo’s pension deal with the Legislature –no defined-contribution option,* more marginal changes in other benefit levels for traditional defined-benefit pensions– the union reaction is absurdly (if predictably) over the top. Read More