If the report released yesterday by the city's Independent Budget Office is true, it could get a lot more expensive to ride the MTA subways and buses in the future. The IBO believes that the MTA has to increase its revenues by 20% by 2010. That means subway and bus fares could go up at least 20% by 2010, making a single ride $2.40. The worst case scenario - where rates for other revenue sources are not increased - has subway and bus fares jumping to almost $3. The price of a monthly metrocard would would jump from $76 to $112. A weekly card would go from $24 to $36. The last increase in fares was in 2004. more ›

It's not surprising news, but it's a reminder why people don't live in New York City. A report from the Independent Budget Office showed that New York City has the biggest tax burden than eight other big cities. In fact, NYC's tax burden is practically 50% higher than the average of cities like Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Houston, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix and San Diego. (We don't know where San Francisco, Boston, or Seattle were during this survey.) For every $100, New York City's state and local taxes "absorbed" $9.02, while other cities average $6.16. more ›

It's bad enough when you get a parking ticket, but to get a parking ticket when your car is legally parked? The NYPD investigated a traffic officer who was ticketing legally parked cars in Long Island City, and officer Nivea Cloud resigned after being charged with "falsifying records, official misconduct, and filing false parking tickets." The Post's source says Cloud may have been ticketing the legally parked cars because "it was easier than going out to look for illegal parked cars where she was assigned." Ai. The tickets were voided, but we wonder if the problem only became clear when the drivers complained. more ›

Another interesting thing the Indepedent Budget Office found: If you fight your parking ticket in person, you'll have a better chance of beating it. The IBO says that people who fight parking tickets via the mail are found guilty 32% of the time more than people who fight live. The Post printed the numbers:

According to the study, those who mail in their pleas beat tickets just 40.6 percent of the time, while 38.8 percent are found guilty, 17.8 percent have penalties reduced and 2.8 percent have their base fines reduced. more ›

Every year, Gothamist looks forward to the Independent Budget Office's ideas on how the city can save and make money. The IBO is a nonpartisan, publicly agency, and the report shows both the pros and cons of certain suggested measures. Here are some of the suggestions:

State Reimbursement for Inmates in City Jails Awaiting Trial Over One Year more ›

What do you think of these ideas? Last year, the IBO suggested a latte tax. more ›