Posts tagged Empire Center for Public Policy
NYC lifeguard ‘Boss of the Beach’ scores $570K pension on taxpayers’ tab: report
August 7, 2026 // A controversial former Big Apple chief city lifeguard nicknamed “Boss of the Beach” raked in a staggering $570,419 pension last year, according to the Empire Center for Public Policy, a nonprofit government watchdog. Ex chief lifeguard and union boss Peter Stein’s taxpayer-funded golden parachute comes after a longtime dual career where he also served full-time as a middle school gym teacher In Brooklyn — calling it quits while under investigation by the city Department of Investigation.
How Much Overtime Did MTA Workers Earn?
June 24, 2026 // A recent report from The Empire Center for Public Policy found that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) paid out $1.46 billion in overtime last year, which was 8% higher than the year before. The report also found that 34 MTA employees made more than $200,000 in overtime. Citing data from SeeThroughNY, the think tank found that “the MTA’s overtime champion” for the second year in a row was Bridges & Tunnels (B&T), with the top three making two to three times more in OT than their regular pay. Edwin Lee, a lieutenant with B&T, topped all OT earners with $359,794. In 2025, between his overtime and his regular pay, Lee earned $528,809 in that one year.