What's The [DATA] Point

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 nation's and region's 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.