The Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civic organization devoted to influencing constructive change in the finances and services of New York City and New York State government.[Citizens Budget Commission: About the Citizens Budget Commission, http://www.cbcny.org/about.html Accessed July 18, 2006] The inspiration for the group was New York City's inability to manage its budget. The CBC took on the responsibility of analyzing and evaluating New York City's finances. This information was used to create recommendations and reports designed to help New York City. This responsibility was expanded from New York City to state government in 1984. The CBC believes that the interests of the citizenry of New York is of foremost importance and should guide their actions and responses.[ "A Profile of the Citizens Budget Commission," Series 6, Box 1, Folder 21, 1995.]

The CBC was founded in 1932 during the Great Depression when Jimmy Walker was mayor of New York City. When Fiorello LaGuardia became mayor in 1934, New York City, like the rest of the nation, was in a poor financial position. LaGuardia worked to resolve New York City's financial problems. The CBC offered criticism and advice throughout this period, which is documented in the news clippings in the collection. The CBC conducted research and released reports meant to be unbiased based on the needs of the people and intended to be what was best for New York City. Out of this time of financial struggle grew the Citizens Budget Commission. Another financial crisis in New York City's history occurred in the mid-1970s. A combination of generous welfare spending in the 1960s and a stock market decline in the 1970s put New York City in financial peril. One example of advice the CBC gave New York City during this time was to urge the city to provide only essential services and even at that level to do it economically.["Citizens Budget Commission Urges City Provide Only Essential Services, Phase Out 'Pernicious' Practice of Borrowing for Recurring Expenses," Series 7, Box 6, Folder 1, April 14, 1975.]

For over seventy years the CBC has acted as the financial voice of reason for New York City and more recently for all of New York State. CBC's changing responsibility to include all of New York State is explained in their 1984 annual report. The CBC became concerned when state government violated rules of state and local finance in their budget practices.[ "Annual Report: 1984," Series 3, Box 1, Folder 16.] The most recent annual report in the records from 1992 reports on a committee the CBC created to research the connection between the City of New York and the rest of the state on fiscal responsibility. Some of the results revealed that New York City is the source of about one-third of the entire state's revenues while 20% of New York City's revenues are received through state aid. This committee was designed to help solve the "finger pointing" dilemma that statistics such as these caused between New York City and New York State.["60th Anniversary Report: 1932-1992," Series 3, Box 1, Folder 17.]

Today the CBC is led by a president who oversees a research and administrative staff. The board of trustees are under the guidance of a ruling chair. The CBC's current function is nearly identical to its purpose in 1932 when it was first created-convincing New York to act wisely with its money.