Governor Cuomo Introduces “Tax-Free New York” Legislation

By Patrick M. Malgieri – After considerable fanfare and much public attention, Governor Cuomo has finally introduced in the waning days of the current session of the State Legislature a program bill and memorandum to put into place his proposal to create “Tax-Free Communities” throughout much of New York state…

School Budget Vote Results as the “Spin” Continues

By Howard J. Goldsmith – As required by law, about 669 New York State public school districts placed their proposed 2013-2014 school year budgets up for public vote on the third Tuesday of May…

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…

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…

Agreement Reached on IDA Sales-Tax Exemptions?

By Christopher A. Andreucci – As budget news begins to trickle out of Albany, there is word of an agreement regarding the governor’s proposal to shift awarding the state share of sales-tax exemptions from local industrial development agencies (IDAs) to the regional economic development councils…

Governor and Legislature Agree On Budget

By Christopher A. Andreucci – The governor and leaders of the New York State Legislature have announced that they have reached an agreement on the 2013-2014 budget…