Podcast by Citizens Budget Commission and Gotham Gazette
Citizens Budget Commission and Gotham Gazette
48,000 is the number of new homes to be created when we add together the 40,000 that should be enabled by 5 neighborhood rezonings and the current proposed plan to redevelop the Brooklyn Marine Terminal. New York must dramatically increase housing production if it is going reduce its affordability problems and be in a strong competitive position to retain and attract residents, grow businesses, and create jobs. What else is New York City doing to boost housing production? How is the City working to attract businesses and grow high wage jobs? At a recent CBC event, Andrew Kimball, President and CEO of New York City's Economic Development Corporation, and Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission, joined CBC President Andrew Rein to answer these questions and more.
$280 billion is the total number of dollars held by New York City's five pension funds over which the City Comptroller is custodian and investment adviser. The Comptroller plays a critical role in the City's fiscal health, integrity, and accountability. In June, New Yorkers will head to the polls to choose who they want to guide them through the economically uncertain times ahead. Today's episode features a live debate between the two leading Comptroller candidates: Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and City Councilmember Justin Brannan.
$15 billion is the amount congestion pricing is expected to yield for MTA infrastructure investment—to bring trains, tracks, yards, and signals to a state of good repair, increase accessibility, and expand subway service. As congestion pricing is challenged by the Trump administration, this speaks to the larger question of the fiscal and regulatory relationship between the federal government and New York. In this episode we are joined by Polly Trottenberg, who served most recently as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation and before that as Commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation, as well as a board member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Polly brings her experience at both the federal and City level to unpack the future of transportation policy and funding.
$252 billion is the size of Governor Kathy Hochul's New York State Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. It's a full $100 billion more than ten years ago. New York State and its localities are already #1 in taxes and #2 in spending nationwide. On today's episode we talk with New York State's Budget Director Blake G. Washington, to discuss whether taxes are too high, if New York should try to restrain spending growth, how the State is preparing for possible changes to federal aid, and more on affordability, education, Medicaid, and the MTA.
$35 billion is how much of the MTA's 5-year capital plan remains unfunded. Investing in the MTA's crumbling infrastructure is one of the most important decisions Albany will make this year; New York's economy, quality of life, and the region's competitiveness depend on it. At a recent CBC event, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber sat down with CBC president Andrew Rein to talk about keeping the trains running on time, the potential risk to congestion pricing, funding the MTA's capital plan, reducing fare evasion, MTA efficiency, relaxing discovery rules, and the public's concern for their safety.
$16 billion is the estimated cost to build the new rail tunnel under the Hudson River. Decades of delays and funding spats ultimately led to the creation of the Gateway Development Commission, the bi-state entity responsible for making the tunnel a reality. Joining the podcast is Alicia Glen, co-Chair of the Gateway Development Commission, founder and managing principal of MSquared, and current CBC Trustee. Glen is also the chair of the Trust for Governors Island, and the former Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development during the de Blasio Administration.
80,000. That's the number of additional new housing units the Adams' Administration hopes will be developed over the next 15 years thanks to the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity. The City Council votes this week on Mayor Eric Adams' plan to tackle the housing crisis. However, that is not all that the Administration is focused on. Needed Infrastructure investment, improved contracting, implementing the now-charter mandated true cost of living, and so much more. In this new episode of WTDP, we chat with First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer and Deputy Mayors Meera Joshi and Ana Almanzar who work as a part of the City Hall team to address these issues and more!
10 and 15 are the districts represented by New York Congressman Dan Goldman and Congressman Ritchie Torres. With a newly elected President and Congress, changes in federal policy, funding, and regulation will affect New York State and New York City. So, what are the opportunities and challenges ahead? Where can New York make common cause with others, and how can our congressional delegation work across the aisle? Listen as Congressmen Goldman and Torres help us understand more about what lies ahead.
97 - that's the number of days between this conversation and the release of the Governor's Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget. But how the State will close its $16 billion structural gap isn't the only important issue facing New York State. How will the State buttress resiliency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve student achievement (since it already spends 85% more per student than the national average), fund the MTA's next capital plan, hold the line on taxes, and deal with the City administration's current issues? Fortunately, we have Governor Hochul's top 2 aides—Secretary to the Governor Karen Persichilli Keogh and Director of State Operations and Infrastructure Kathryn Garcia—on the Datapoint today to talk about these issues and more.
3 is the number of current and former Comptrollers who sat down to discuss the City and State's finances, economy, population loss and more. While jobs and tourism have recovered, New York continues to face challenges with hybrid work affecting downtowns and the office market, housing affordability, future budget gaps, and needed infrastructure investment. Former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson moderated a discussion during which NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and NYC Comptroller Brad Lander dig into what the City and State is doing with your money and New York's future.
109,000. This is the number of new homes New York City aims to create over the next 15 years through its City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning proposal. Despite broad agreement on the need for more housing, the path is fraught with obstacles. Development is expensive and outdated regulations and zoning have impeded development of new housing and conversion of office buildings. How will New York overcome these challenges and turn promise into progress? To shed light, we're joined by Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission. In WTDP's new episode, he helps us unpack the Administration's proposals, the role of City Planning, and what's at stake if we fail to address this critical crisis. Listen to NYC Planning Director Dan Garodnick on: -15:41: Explaining City of Yes benefits to potential opponents -20:05: Parking requirements -25:04: How Universal Affordability Preference will deliver -28:08: Office to residential conversions -29:22: Impacts of 485-X -31:15: Importance of Green Fast Track -33:45: Being a former City Councilmember talking to current Councilmembers
$116 billion is the total NYC adopted budget for FY 2025, including the $4 billion of FY25 bills that were prepaid. This year's budget talks between the Mayor and City Council took several twists and turns, ending with the narrowly on-time arrival of an adopted budget. New York City Council Member Justin Brannan, Chair of the Council's Finance Committee, joined the podcast to discuss the budget, the Council's role, and his prior career as a musician.
$8.8 trillion is the total combined assets of the nearly 3,000 financial institutions that are regulated and supervised by the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS). In addition to navigating serious banking crises in recent years, DFS faces challenges on the horizon: artificial intelligence, cyber security, and cryptocurrency, to name a few. Joining the podcast is DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris, who shares with us the important work state leadership is doing to ensure a strong and secure financial services sector, while navigating this rapidly changing landscape.
6,632 is the number of NYC households who responded to CBC's 2023 NYC Resident Survey: "Straight from New Yorkers." The survey provides the most comprehensive, statistically valid, post-pandemic view of how New Yorkers are feeling about the City's quality of life and the quality of government services. Among the many eyebrow-raising pieces of feedback coming Straight from New Yorkers: Only 30% of rate their quality of life as excellent or good, down from 50% in 2017. Joining the pod to discuss the survey results and the City's priorities is New York City First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.
1.4% is the current--and historically low--apartment vacancy rate in New York City. NYC and many parts of New York State are in the throes of a housing crisis caused by decades of underproduction. Solving the housing crisis is key to stemming the tide of New Yorkers leaving the state and to rolling out the welcome mat to new New Yorkers. Joining us to discuss the latest housing policy news affecting both NYC and the state is national housing expert Vicki Been, a professor at NYU's Furman Center and former New York City Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development.
$60 billion is how much the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) estimates it should invest in its infrastructure over the next 5 years. NYCHA faces persistent challenges: recurring budget gaps, rising expenses, weakening rent collection, deteriorating physical conditions, and more. NYCHA's CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt and Chair Jamie Rubin both spoke with CBC at a recent event to discuss the plans and strategies they've put in place to better manage the nation's largest public housing system.
$233 billion is the total NYS budget proposed by Governor Hochul for fiscal year 2025, and that is the talk of the town in Albany as executive and legislative leaders work on a new budget agreement in time for the April 1st deadline. NYS Budget Director Blake Washington, who is at the center of budget negotiations happening right now, spoke with the CBC at a recent event. He and CBC President Andrew Rein discussed the state's current fiscal picture and details regarding the state's large structural gap, and more.
$39.5 billion is how much NYC spends to educate our students each year. The New York City Public Schools has an enormous and challenging task: to educate and develop 900,000 students who come from a wide diversity of backgrounds and needs. And it's important to ask: Are we getting the return we need on our dollars? How are our students doing? To answer this and other pressing questions is NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks and Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Emma Vadehra.
151,700 is the net loss of New York personal income tax filers in 2020 and 2021. Some of that is the result of the pandemic, but how much? With this episode, CBC is relaunching the podcast to return to a more focused discussion with policy leaders, and there is no better way to re-launch than with the podcast's founder: CBC alum Maria Doulis, Deputy New York State Comptroller for Budget and Policy Analysis. Join us as we explore one of the most difficult challenges facing the City and State—how to keep and attract more New Yorkers.
85% is the amount New York State has to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. One of the major pathways to this reduction will be the State's Cap-and-Invest program, which will cap and reduce emissions, auction off the right to emit, set up a trading system for those rights, and generate billions of dollars to be invested in energy transition and to offset costs of the transition for some residents. Doreen Harris, President and CEO of the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority, and Basil Seggos, Commissioner of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, joined CBC to discuss Cap-and-Invest, as well as offshore wind, energy transition and resiliency, the Environmental Bond Act, and much more.
$1.5 trillion is the total asset value of the MTA—all of the trains, buses, yards, and stations...all the stuff that moves New Yorkers every day, 24 hours a day. At a recent CBC event, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber and President of Construction and Development Jamie Torres-Springer discussed congestion pricing, fare evasion, congestion pricing, state of good repair, the future of Penn Station, and more.
$10.6 billion is the real-world, all-in budget gap that NYC could be facing once you include all spending that is currently unbudgeted or underbudgeted. In a co-production with Ben Max's podcast "Max Politics," CBC President Andrew Rein and Vice President for Research Ana Champeny about the City's decisions and unforeseen events that lead to the real-world budget gap, and the options for closing it.
44 million pounds of trash are generated by New Yorkers every day. The NYC Department of Sanitation not only collects residential waste, recyclables, and compostables, but it also removes snow, cleans streets and lots, removes graffiti, and fights rats. CBC Chair Marissa Shorenstein is joined by Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is leading "New York's Trash Revolution." The revolution includes expanding composting citywide, residential and commercial waste containerization, sanitation truck and bin redesign, and more.
4.67 million is the total number of jobs in New York City, just shy of employment pre-pandemic. Though the economy is stable and employment generally strong, challenges remain. The economy is undergoing longer term transformation including remote work, which will affect our labor market and commercial real estate, and the City faces proximate challenges with the influx of new migrants and asylum seekers. NYC EDC's President and Executive Director joined CBC to discuss the Administration's economic growth strategy, projects ranging from Willets Point to SPARC Kips Bay, the green economy and offshore wind, soccer, ferries, and more.
50,000 is the number of jobs New York State expects to be created over the next 20 years by attracting Micron to central New York with $7.2 billion of incentives. New York has long been a leader in economic development, with the State and localities offering tax incentives and spending totaling over $10 billion a year. Joining the podcast to discuss the Micron deal, workforce development, the film tax credit, Penn Station, and what analysis is done to show these investments are worth the cost is Hope Knight, President, CEO & Commissioner of Economic State Development.
$4.3 billion is the Adams' Administration's estimate of the cost to house and provide services to asylum seekers this and next year. But that is only a small portion of the City's fiscal challenges. NYC Budget Director Jacques Jiha joined the CBC to discuss the fiscal year 2024 Executive Budget, negotiations with the City Council, future budget gaps, efforts to improve the City's management and more.
70+ is the number of agencies and authorities that report through New York State's Deputy Secretaries to New York's Director of State Operations and Infrastructure, Kathryn Garcia. She joined the podcast at a critical time for our State's economy, and after the $229 billion budget was passed by the Legislature one month into the fiscal year. Listen as we learn how the State tries to solve our housing crisis, face our environmental crises, educate our children, and ensure workers and businesses thrive within New York, and much more.
3 is the number of letters in Mayor Adams' favorite mantra: G.S.D., Get Stuff Done. They Mayor has introduced many plans: Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent; Care, Community, Action; City of Yes; and Housing our Neighbors, to name a few. But the impact is in the implementation. Joining the podcast is First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, who talks about the Administration's GSD management approach, the City and State budgets, how the Mayor and Governor align on housing, and much more.
$227 billion is the size of the NYS FY 2024 Executive Budget. The State's finances are in a precarious state, with the economy uncertain and the budget going from riches to rags. There is an $8 billion surplus this year, but outyear gaps of over $7 billion and a $12 billion structural gap. Joining the podcast is NYS Budget Director Robert Megna, who was appointed only 10 days prior to this recording and has returned to the role he held from 2009-2015.
80% is the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions NYC buildings are required to achieve by 2050 under Local Law 97. This is but one of the many climate and environmental initiatives New York City will implement in the years to come. As the science, technology, and needs continue to evolve, how will the City achieve its goals in a way that is effective, efficient, and flexible? At a recent CBC Trustee event, Rohit Aggarwala, NYC's Chief Climate Officer and Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, discussed these initiatives and more with CBC President Andrew Rein.
1 in 3 is the number of households in New York City that are severely rent burdened. That means nearly 600,000 households are spending more than half of their monthly income on rent, electricity, and heat. At a recent CBC Trustee event, Jessica Katz, NYC's Chief Housing Officer, discussed how the Adams administration is tackling NYC's housing needs and managing its housing agenda to ensure success.
2 1/2 is the average number of years it takes a private rezoning application to get approved in New York City, and that doesn't include the often lengthy informal pre-review negotiations. This is one of many findings in CBC's report "Improving New York City's Land Use Decision-Making Process," which can be found at cbcny.org. At a special panel discussion, Maria Torres-Springer, the Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development, delivered opening remarks on the Administration's efforts to tackle New York's housing challenges, followed by a policy panel steeped in experience with New York City's land use process, including: • Vicki Been - Former Deputy Mayor; Faculty Director, NYU Furman Center; • Margaret Chin - Former Member, New York City Council, District 1; • Jacob Elghanayan – Senior Vice President, TF Cornerstone; • Dan Garodnick - Chair, City Planning Commission; • Michelle de la Uz - Executive Director, Fifth Avenue Committee; • RuthAnne Visnauskas - President/CEO, NYS Homes & Community Renewal; and • Ben Max - moderator & Executive Editor, Gotham Gazette The episode closes with a presentation of the report's findings by Sean Campion, CBC's Director of Housing and Economic Development Studies.
28 is the number of core strategies and initiatives in Mayor Eric Adams' recently unveiled plan - "Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for NYC Economic Recovery." The blueprint focuses on small businesses, entrepreneurship, an equitable economy and inclusive growth, connecting New Yorkers to quality jobs, and more. At an event with CBC Trustees, Maria Torres-Springer, the Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development, discussed the blueprint's important elements and how they will benefit current and future New Yorkers.
$220 billion is the reported size of the New York State fiscal year 2023 budget that the Governor and Legislature adopted on April 10. The budget includes a property tax rebate and a tax holiday, and increases State spending about $14 billion, with more money for education aid, day care, rent relief, health care, and a new stadium, among other programs. Joining the podcast to unpack the new budget is Chair of the State Senate Finance Committee, Senator Liz Krueger.
$0 is the size of the New York State budget deficit in each year of New York State's five-year Executive Budget financial plan, as proposed by Governor Kathy Hochul. The Governor's budget proposal balances the budget in each of the next five years, an unprecedented level of fiscal stability for the State. This balance and fiscal strength is driven by strong State tax receipts and extraordinary federal fiscal relief. The proposed budget also makes significant deposits to reserves. At an event with CBC Trustees, New York State Budget Director Robert Mujica presented the details of the State's budget, and the fiscal and economic outlook going forward.
$216 billion is the size of New York State fiscal year 2023 budget proposed by Governor Kathy Hochul. The proposed spending plan is balanced over five years and makes significant deposits to reserves, but also maintains high taxes and accelerates State spending growth. At an event with CBC Trustees, Governor Hochul and CBC President Andrew Rein discussed the continued improvement of the State's fiscal outlook, budget negotiations, priorities for COVID recovery, the MTA and more.
2026 is the year the MTA will likely have spent all of its one-time COVID-19 federal aid, and when the MTA will have to address the estimated $2.5 billion annual structural operating deficit which that aid is now covering. At an event with CBC Trustees, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber and President Andrew Rein sat down for a fireside chat to discuss this and a range of other issues including ridership and the ridership experience, the newly proposed Interborough Express and other infrastructure and state of good repair needs, and how labor and management collaboration is critical to closing the operating budget gaps.
8 is the number of years Bill de Blasio has been Mayor of New York City. Joining the podcast to look back on those years is Emma Wolfe, Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Administration. Emma has been a top staff member and strategist for Bill de Blasio since 2010, starting as Chief of Staff when he was elected Public Advocate, and has been involved with nearly every mayoral initiative and decision of his administration.
47 is the number of people who will have held the office of NYC Comptroller once Brad Lander is sworn in on January 1, 2022. At a breakfast with CBC Trustees, President Andrew Rein sat down for a wide-ranging conversation with the Comptroller-elect, covering subjects including risks to New York's budget, contracting reform, rezoning, and the need to fix the property tax system.
89 is the number of years since CBC's founding in 1932, which also makes the annual gala held on October 12, 2021 the 89th Annual Awards Dinner. This year's Medal for High Civic Service winner was Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. CBC was fortunate to have Governor Kathy Hochul welcome Secretary Buttigieg and talk with him about public service and issues facing New York State. After their discussion, Secretary Pete delivered remarks on efforts underway to rebuild our nations and regions infrastructure, and he generously spent some time answering CBC Trustees questions. A very short portion of the audio was edited.
$150 million is the amount of capital funding NYC has committed toward the creation of a Center for Climate Solutions on Governors Island. Joining the podcast to discuss this and other plans for Governors Island is Alicia Glen, Chair of the Trust of Governors Island and the former Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development.
$103.3 billion is the total amount of spending authorized by the City Council for Fiscal Year 2022. While officials call it a budget of $98.3 billion, the larger figure reflects the full amount to be expended, including $6 billion available from the prior year due to higher than expected tax receipts and federal aid. Joining the podcast to discuss the adopted budget is NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer.
$209 billion is the total spending in New York State's Enacted Budget for Fiscal Year 2022. Six months ago, New York State was staring down a four-year revenue shortfall totaling $60 billion—however, revenues have strengthened and the federal government passed a stimulus bill that includes what may be the largest state and local government relief program in history. Still, the State decided to raise taxes, boost education aid, and fund a host of economic recovery programs. Joining the podcast are three guests to discuss what this means for the State's fiscal future: State Senator Liz Krueger, Senior Fellow at the Empire Center and Adjunct Fellow at the Manhattan Institute E.J. McMahon, and CBC's Director of State Studies Patrick Orecki.
$250 billion—the assets held by the five pensions funds for which the New York City Comptroller is custodian, administrator, and investment advisor. But that's not the Comptroller's only responsibility. On today's special episode of "What's the [DATA] Point?" with an introduction from Ben and Andrew, listeners will hear CBC's "Comptroller Candidate Forum: Accountability, Not Just Accounting," which featured 13-minute conversations with each of six candidates: Brad Lander, Zach Iscol, Brian Benjamin, Michelle Caruso, Cabrera, Corey Johnson, and David Weprin. Each candidate shared how they plan to use the powers of the NYC Comptroller to serve the people of New York.
270,000—the number of two-year, four-year, and graduate degree seeking students enrolled in the City University of New York (CUNY). For generations CUNY has been an engine of economic mobility. With New York City sitting at the inflection point between the pandemic-driven recession and its recovery, CUNY will play a key role in preparing students and workers for, and linking them to, new opportunities in a changing economy. CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez joined the podcast to discuss the pandemic's impact on CUNY, his efforts to partner with the private sector to open career opportunities for students and to bolster CUNY's finances, and how City, State, and federal budget decisions and proposals may stabilize CUNY in the future.
21,200 is the total number of inpatient hospital beds in New York State—approximately 2.5 beds for every 1,000 people. The pandemic has brought a significant attention to New York's health care system, and some have called for greater hospital capacity to help New York be better prepared for the future. Joining the podcast are two of New York's leading health care experts: Stephen Berger, who was Chairman of the New York State Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century, and Dr. Mitchell Katz, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals.
24/7 is the number of hours and days New Yorkers traditionally have had access to the subway system. In response to the pandemic the MTA suspended overnight service to clean and disinfect the subway, giving riders the confidence they need to return to the system. The pandemic decimated revenue and ridership this past year, but with an infusion of federal funds and slowly returning ridership the MTA financial forecast has stabilized for the time being. However, they're still not out of the woods. Today's guests are two leaders who will chart and manage the course forward for the MTA: New York City Transit Interim President Sarah Feinberg, and MTA Chief Development Officer Janno Lieber.
800,000 is the approximate number of daily passengers who travel on Northeast Corridor trains. The only rail link that connects New York and New Jersey is through a 110-year-old tunnel under the Hudson River. The Biden administration has pledged to move forward the Gateway Program―the planned, phased expansion and renovation of the Northeast Corridor rail line, including the aging tunnel. John Porcari, the founding interim Executive Director of the Gateway Development Corporation, joined the podcast to update listeners on the status of this critical infrastructure project.
$5.3 billion is the current estimate of the budget gap the next Mayor will have to close in her or his first year. Ben and CBC President Andrew Rein introduce listeners to CBC's mayoral candidates forum "Managing NYC’s Fiscal Crisis" that featured 10-minute conversations with each of eight candidates: Maya Wiley, Kathryn Garcia, Andrew Yang, Dianne Morales, Eric Adams, Ray McGuire, Scott Stringer, and Shaun Donovan. Each candidate presented their plan to manage the crisis, answered targeted questions, and identified positions on key fiscal issues in a lightning round.
$7.4 billion is how much NYS personal income tax was paid in 2018 by residents of other states. This revenue stream may be threatened if a lawsuit over taxation of out-of-state telecommuting residents prevails. Today's guest is E.J. McMahon, adjunct fellow of the Manhattan Institute and senior fellow of the Empire Center. He explains why this lawsuit is so important and also discussed elements of the NYS Executive Budget. And, in her final episode as host, Maria Doulis offers a brief analysis of the NYC Preliminary Budget.
$4 billion is the amount of annual investment in housing recommended by a broad coalition of groups called United for Housing. In the fourth episode on the subject of land use, we continue the conversation with two representatives of the United for Housing coalition: Michelle de la Uz of the Fifth Avenue Committee, and Paimaan Lodhi of the Real Estate Board of New York.