The Citizens Budget Commission is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civic organization that attempts to influence constructive change in the finances and services of New York City and New York State government.
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CBC was founded in 1932, at a time of great fiscal crisis, when a group of distinguished civic leaders decided to start a research organization that would analyze the City’s finances, evaluate the management of city government, report on these matters to its members, and recommend improvements to municipal officials. In 1984 CBC expanded its research to include state as well as city government.
With a reputation for independence and objective research, CBC has been an outspoken and influential advocate for government reform – and unique in that the organization confines its advocacy to areas on which it has conducted research. Through that research, as well as bringing together major stakeholders on key issues and working closely with media in the region, CBC has been a catalyst for positive change in such areas as budget reform, government finance, education, transportation, public authority reform, and economic competitiveness.
The research program is grounded in three fundamental beliefs:
The CBC is divided into four committees: The Budget Policy Committee, the Competitiveness Committee, the Transportation Committee, and the Economic Development Committee. Projects that do not fall under the control of one of these committees may have an ad hoc committee created for the duration of the project and dissolved as needed. Each committee is responsible for guiding the research and approving the reports and recommendations issued within its jurisdiction.[1]
Carol Kellermann serves as the commission's president with Charles Brecher as the Executive Vice President and Director of Research and Elizabeth Lynam as Vice President and Director of State Studies.
Kenneth D. Gibbs (Chairman), Walter L. Harris (Vice Chairman), Calvin A. Mitchell III (Vice Chairman), John Rhodes (Secretary), Alair A. Townsend (Treasurer), Edward Wallace (General Counsel).