In response to the State Division of the Budget directive to State agencies ordering a spending freeze at current levels next year, Fiscal Policy Institute Executive Director Nathan Gusdorf released the following statement.
New York State has generated significant budget surpluses in recent years as its economy recovered more quickly than expected from the Covid pandemic. Like most other U.S. states, New York saved a considerable portion of these surpluses in its fiscal reserve funds, building a buffer against fiscal stress during future economic downturns. With the Division of the Budget projecting an economic slowdown and depressed revenue in the years ahead, the appropriate use of the State’s fiscal reserves is now a subject of debate. This post will provide an overview on why fiscal reserves exist, and how they can be used to smooth out fluctuations in the economic cycle and maintain stable public services.
The State Comptroller released its August Cash Report Friday, showing that August tax receipts came in over projections and over August 2022 levels. Following the cash report release, Fiscal Policy Institute Executive Director Nathan Gusdorf released the following statements.
In August 2023, the City updated its cost estimates for providing shelter and support to asylum seekers, adding $2.33 billion in expected City costs in the current fiscal year (FY24) and $4.1 billion in the next fiscal year (FY25). The 15% PEG announced in September 2023 would result in a $9.6 billion cut in the current fiscal year (FY24) and a $9.7 billion cut in the next fiscal year (FY25).
New York’s fiscal year 2024 Enacted Budget Financial Plan, released June 2023, projected budget shortfalls for fiscal years 2025 through 2027. While future budget gaps are a perennial feature of New York’s budget forecasts, the most recent projected gaps exceed those generally projected in times of greater economic stability, aligning instead with gaps projected during economic downturns. These projections must be interpreted, however, in light of an improving economic outlook as well as the inherent uncertainty of fiscal forecasting.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23, 2023 Media Contact: press@fiscalpolicy.org FPI: Recent Investment Firm Relocations Unlikely to Result in State Tax Loss “These business decisions are unlikely to have a noticeable effect on the state’s tax revenues” ALBANY, NY — Fiscal Policy Institute Executive Director Nathan Gusdorf today released the following statement: “A recent article stated that New York State lost ‘$1 trillion in assets’ due to a number of asset management firms moving their headquarters out [...]
For Immediate Release: August 16, 2023 Media Contact: press@fiscalpolicy.org July Cash Receipts Remain Steady for Third Straight Month "Three months of strong tax receipts confirm State economy remains robust & align with improving economic forecasts" ALBANY, NY | August 16, 2023 — The State Comptroller released its July Cash Report today, showing that July tax receipts came in over projections and over July 2022 levels: July 2023 receipts: $7.75 billion July 2023 projections: $6.87 [...]
Recent revisions to economic forecasts have significantly lowered expectations of a recession. This has positive implications for the State’s fiscal outlook, as improved economic performance should translate into higher tax receipts.
The New York State Comptroller's June cash basis report shows that tax receipts for the month of June have stabilized after a shortfall in April. The stable June receipts confirm that New York’s tax base and economy remain strong, and that shortfalls in April reflected weaker-than-expected capital gains in tax year 2022 rather than an imminent downturn.
New outyear budget gaps in the fiscal year 2024 Enacted Budget Financial Plan reflect heightened pessimism about the state’s economic trajectory by the State’s Division of Budget (DOB). While all economic projections are highly uncertain, the State is well-equipped to weather economic turbulence if these projections do materialize.
Following the release of the State Comptroller's May Cash Report yesterday, Fiscal Policy Institute Executive Director Nathan Gusdorf today released the following statements: "The New York State Comptroller's May cash basis report shows that total tax receipts for fiscal year 2024 to date are 3.4 percent over the projections in the Enacted Budget financial plan, with Personal Income Tax receipts to date exceeding such projections by 5.5 percent."
The Fiscal Policy Institute today released a new report, "Low Expectations: Understanding the NYC Budget Gap." Through an analysis of the past ten years of New York City outyear budget gaps, the report illustrates how the City uses conservative budget forecasting to protect against economic downturns, and outlines why lawmakers should not misinterpret outyear budget gaps as large impending deficits.
Budget relies on temporary tax rates for corporations and highest earners — state's long-term fiscal stability would be better served by making tax rates permanent. Failure to address high cost of living will continue to drive working & middle-class New Yorkers out of state — and undermine statewide economic growth.
As the legislature currently contemplates a Payroll Mobility Tax (PMT) increase from 0.34 percent to 0.5 percent to fund the MTA, the Fiscal Policy Institute today released a new report, Who Should Pay the Payroll Mobility Tax? The Case Against Excluding Suburban Counties.
With New York State’s fiscal year 2024 budget due April 1, 2024, the Governor and Legislature are nearing the end of negotiations on key policy priorities and the scale of new investments in public services. This brief provides an overview of FPI’s recommendations on major fiscal policy areas at issue in budget negotiations.