Everything you Ever Wanted to Know about Financial Control Boards But Were Afraid to Ask

By Mark W. Blanchard, Rachel C. Baranello and William Q. Lowe - As municipalities throughout New York continue to deal with the lingering effects of the recession, mounting sources of additional financial distress have placed the long-term fiscal viability of many local governments in jeopardy...

Criticism Louder than Praise for 2013-14 State Budget’s Pension Smoothing Plan

By James E. Beyer - New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s revised pension smoothing plan for local governments and school districts will be included in the final 2013-14 state budget, according to multiple news outlets…

The Private Sector Steps up in Detroit’s Hopes for a Turnaround

By Richard E. Rising - This blog is continuing to explore solutions to the challenges facing municipalities and local governments in New York state…

In Search of “The Third Way”

By Patrick M. Malgieri - The headline last week was all-too-familiar. Officials of the city of Niagara Falls announced that, absent significant financial assistance from the state of New York, the city would run out of money….and soon…

Perspectives on Governor Cuomo’s Pension Smoothing Proposal

By Anita W. Laremont - We recently posted an article on Governor Cuomo’s pension smoothing proposal, referred to as the “Stable Rate Pension Contribution Option,” wherein we explained the legislative proposal, which would permit municipalities and school districts to reduce their Employer Contribution Rate…

Are Municipal Structures Sustainable in Their Current Configuration?

By Patrick M. Malgieri - As reported in the Albany Times Union, Governor Cuomo responded to the testimony on January 28 of Rochester Mayor Tom Richards before the state Legislature...