New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today the following audits have been issued:

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ): Inspecting Highway Bridges and Repairing Defects (Follow-Up) (2015-F-19)

An audit issued in May 2014 found the authority did not follow state Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements for classifying, reporting and repairing bridge defects. Instead, the PANYNJ followed its own methods and did not always comply with DOT’s requirement for an annual interim inspection if the repairs are not completed. Further, auditors noted that 10 of the 17 safety conditions sampled were not repaired for more than two years, including three which were open for five years. In a follow-up, auditors determined PANYNJ officials made progress in correcting the problems identified.

Higher Education Services Corporation: College of Westchester Tuition Assistance Program (2015-T-5)

Auditors determined that the procedures used by Westchester officials to certify students for state financial aid substantially complied with the governing law and regulations.

Office of General Services (OGS) and State Education Department (SED): Preferred Source Contracting (2014-S-77)

Although SED is responsible for monitoring the New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID) preferred source contracting program activities, it has provided only minimal oversight. As such, there is little assurance that NYSID is awarding contracts in a manner that best meets the purpose of the program, that member agencies and corporate partners are meeting contract requirements, and that the majority of the contracted work is being completed by disabled workers. Auditors also looked at the role that OGS plays in the program and found OGS is appropriately fulfilling its current responsibilities under the program. Nonetheless, auditors identified opportunities for OGS to improve its effectiveness.