The challenges confronting Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo won’t be limited to closing a state budget gap now estimated at between $9 billion and $11 billion. Cuomo and the Legislature will also need to respond to growing fiscal distress among New York’s local governments. Read More
I want to begin today by commending the state Senate for its passage last month of Governor Cuomo’s property tax cap bill. In years to come, the Jan. 31 vote may be seen as a turning point, a historic first step towards lasting relief for New York’s taxpayers. Read More
New York’s local property tax levels are exceptionally high by national standards and have grown by more than double the inflation rate over the past decade, justifying the governor’s push to limit future growth. Read More
A broad, tight cap on local property taxes is a central element of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s agenda for making New York State more affordable and competitive. The governor’s tax cap has passed in the state Senate with strong bipartisan support. Its fate will ultimately be decided in the state Assembly. Read More
The Empire Center for Public Policy today posted updated municipal salaries on the newly revamped SeeThroughNY.net, the Center’s transparency website. The data include the names and earnings of the 168,748 people who worked for New York’s city, county, town and village governments in 2010-11. Read More
New York State has a new law capping annual increases in local government and school district property taxes. Effective in local fiscal years starting on or after Jan. 1, 2012, the law limits the annual growth of property taxes levied by local governments and school districts to 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. Read More
In tough economic times, New York State’s counties, municipalities and school districts face intense pressure to control their budgets. Read More
Once Nassau County stumbled back into fiscal crisis mode, it was inevitable that the county's police contract would emerge as a key obstacle to recovery. Read More