research dossier

CENTER FOR COST EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT INC

BAYPORT, NY · EIN 455064716 · Form 990EZ · FY2025 · NTEE R99 · Civil Rights & Advocacy · Micro (<$100K) · centerforcosteffectivegovernment.org

revenue

$4K

expenses

$52K

net assets

$66K

employees

—

mission · from form 990

A CADRE OF GOVERNMENT SAVVY COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO WILL EXPOSE INEFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT AND EMPOWER THE PUBLIC TO TAKE THE LEGAL AND LOGISTICAL STEPS NECESSARY TO ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT THE SOLUTIONS PROMULGATED BY GOVERNMENT REFORM THINK TANKS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Advocacy organization focused on exposing inefficiencies in government spending, particularly how public-sector overtime inflates pension liabilities for taxpayers. Produces research and policy recommendations aimed at reforming public pension systems in New York State. Targets unsustainable practices such as the inclusion of overtime in pension calculations and the Triborough Amendment, advocating for legislative changes to reduce long-term fiscal burdens on taxpayers.

named programs · 2 · from sources

What they call their work

New York State’s Ten Worst Laws for Taxpayers

Policy advocacy campaign identifying and proposing reforms to state laws that contribute to high taxes, including pension rules, mandatory arbitration, and construction mandates like the Wicks Law

Overtime White Paper

Research initiative analyzing the fiscal impact of including overtime in public-sector pension calculations, projecting taxpayer liabilities over 20–25 years across multiple government employee categories in New York

activities · 4 groups

What they do

Transportation Policy Advocacy & Infrastructure Reform 1 activity
- Advocate for fiscal oversight and government accountability reforms
  
  Recommends the establishment of financial control boards for entities such as the MTA and promotes legislative reforms including state mandate relief, pension reform, and changes to arbitration and the Triborough Amendment through engagement with taxpayer organizations and state officials.
Policy Advocacy & Research 1 activity
- Produce research publications on cost-effective government practices
  
  Produces white papers and educational documents on topics including public sector retiree benefits, spending caps, school choice, financial control boards, election integrity, Social Security reform, Medicaid policy, transportation policy, pension calculations, green energy policies, and municipal union donations to promote cost-effective government practices.
Community Capacity Building & Leadership Networks 1 activity
- Train and organize community leaders for government reform
  
  Trains and organizes community leaders to identify inefficiencies in government operations and support the public implementation of reform solutions.
Uncategorized 2 activities
- Facilitate joint government procurement to achieve cost savings
  
  Facilitates joint bidding among government districts by sharing information on upcoming procurement opportunities to help achieve cost savings through economies of scale.
- Research and analyze transportation and public pension fiscal challenges
  
  Conducts research on MTA budget gaps, capital funding shortfalls due to shelved congestion pricing, and cost overruns in transit projects; also analyzes the long-term taxpayer costs of including overtime in public pension calculations, projecting impacts over 20 years with and without inflation adjustments.

financials · form 990EZ · fy2025

revenue

Total revenue$4K

Contributions & grants$36010%

Program service revenue——

Investment income$3K84%

Other revenue$220

expenses

Total expenses$52K

Program expenses—

Admin / overhead—

Fundraising—

Salaries & benefits$45K

Grants paid out—

balance sheet

Total assets$66K

Cash—

Investments—

Liabilities—

Net assets$66K

5 years on record · 2021–2025 · YoY revenue -95.9%

leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1

Name	Title	Hours/wk	Compensation
STEVE LEVY	EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR	5	$45K

board members · 3

BARRY COWEN — DIRECTOR
MARIE-LINE LUBIN — DIRECTOR
THOMAS EAGAN — DIRECTOR

relationships · 3

Who they work with

New York State Comptroller’s Office Government — Referenced the 2019 audit conducted by the New York State Comptroller’s Office on MTA capital projects.
New York State Legislature Government — Identified as the body responsible for enacting laws that contribute to high taxpayer burdens, including pension-related mandates.
statewide taxpayer organizations Partner — Collaborated with statewide taxpayer organizations to advocate for mandate relief and government reform.

strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

Civic Empowerment Through Leadership Training

methodology: civic-empowerment-through-leadership-training
By training community leaders to identify inefficiencies and take legal or logistical action, we build public capacity for reform because empowered local actors can drive accountability and challenge entrenched systems.
Market-Based and School Choice Reforms

methodology: school_choice
By redirecting public funding through market mechanisms like school choice and investment reform, we improve cost-effectiveness because competition and individual decision-making drive efficiency and better outcomes.
Research and Policy Analysis to Promote Fiscal Discipline

methodology: research_and_publication
By producing research, white papers, and policy analysis, we influence government practices and promote cost-effective solutions because evidence-based advocacy shapes public understanding and decision-making.
Structural Reform Through Legal and Institutional Interventions

methodology: financial_control_board_model
By advocating for financial control boards, pension reforms, and legislative changes, we produce fiscal sustainability because imposing external oversight and altering systemic incentives compels governments to eliminate waste and restructure inefficient practices.