Research

Almost all of can be traced to falling tax receipts.  But rising spending will represent a growing share of the problem over the next three years.  In fact, more than one-third of the projected growth in next year's gap, and over half the Read More

Given , it should come as no surprise that the state's is forecasting a  $2.1 billion deficit for the current fiscal year.   But some of the financial details released by the Division of the Budget (DOB) today are getting even more worrisome. Read More

Writing in today's FT, investment-banking veteran (and former New York bailout-facilitator) Felix Rohatyn and ESC consulting-firm president Everett Ehlrich, pointing out that states still face $200 billion in operating deficits in the next t Read More

Classic cartoon characters have an entertaining knack for suspending the basic laws of physics--for example, when Wile E. Coyote propels himself in pursuit of the Road Runner through the use of a sail "pushed" by a fan strapped to his back.  So perh Read More

Five months ago, Brooklyn/Queens Rep. Anthony Weiner how hard he had fought to include $1 billion in money for the nation's police officers in the $787 billion federal stimulus package. Now it turns out that President Obama is leaving New York out o Read More

New York led the nation in K-12 education spending per pupil in 2006-07, according to .  The Empire State's school spending of $15,981 per pupil was 65 percent above the national average of $9,666.  New York's total school spending of nearly $51 bi Read More

The first quarter update to New York State's 2009-10 financial plan will be released by the Governor's sometime this week.   The plan is expected to reflect the potential for a significant deficit this year, and worsening budget shortfalls in the Read More

Earlier this week, Streetsblog had of a House bill that would allow regional transit agencies such as New York's MTA to spend up to 30 percent of their federal grants on operating costs. Under current law, federal money goes toward capital investm Read More