State tax collections totaled nearly $62.7 billion through Jan. 31, a decline of $658.3 million or 1 percent from the same period last year, according to the state cash report issued today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Year to date tax collections were $167.9 million higher than the latest projections included in the Third Quarter Update to the Financial Plan released with the Executive Budget on Jan. 17.

"State tax collections are slightly above Executive Budget projections," DiNapoli said. "With the budget process well underway, and less than two months left in the fiscal year, we're watching closely to see if revenues meet the Division of the Budget's projected growth."

Through the first 10 months of the fiscal year, All Funds receipts totaled nearly $126.5 billion, a decline of $176.2 million, or 0.1 percent, from a year earlier. Total receipts exceeded the latest projections by $75.1 million, primarily because of business tax collections which were nearly $120 million over the latest projections. This variance was offset by lower than anticipated miscellaneous receipts.

All Funds spending totaled nearly $121.5 billion through Jan. 31, approximately $4.2 billion or 3.6 percent higher than last year for the same period. Significant increases include spending for public health programs (up $2.1 billion largely because of federally funded payments to the Essential Plan Program) and Medicaid (up $2 billion primarily from federal sources). All Funds spending was $791.5 million lower than the latest projections, primarily in local assistance grants and capital projects.

The General Fund ended January with a balance of $11.1 billion, which was $708.1 million higher than the latest projections and nearly $2.7 billion lower than a year earlier.

For a detailed breakdown, go to http://www.osc.state.ny.us/finance/cbr.htm

DiNapoli's office issues a state cash report every month identifying state revenues and spending from the prior month. The cash report focuses primarily on the General Fund and All Governmental Funds. The General Fund is the major operating fund of the state. All Governmental Funds includes General, Special Revenue, Debt Service and Capital Projects funds, as well as funds from the federal government. The report is now accessible in Excel and Adobe formats.

Since becoming Comptroller, DiNapoli has created several tools to allow the public to better track government spending, contracts and other fiscal issues. These are easily accessible on his transparency website called Open Book New York (www.openbooknewyork.com).