Reports

In 2015, the number of counties exceeding the tax cap decreased substantially and only six counties exceeded the cap—a decrease of 54 percent from 2014. Among the counties that stayed within the tax levy limit in 2015, many have levied right up to the limit. Of these 51 counties, 23 levied taxes that amounted to 99 percent or more of their allowable tax levy limit. This may be due in part to the newly enacted Property Tax Freeze Credit.

County Tax Cap Data as of April 30, 2015 - Excel

Fiscal Stress Monitoring System (FSMS) has five categories of indicators: fund balance, liquidity, short-term debt, operating deficits, and fixed costs. These indicators contribute to a local government’s final classification of Significant Stress, Moderate Stress, Susceptible to Stress or No Designation.

IDAs are important for economic development in the State, but local officials need to improve their scrutiny over projects so that taxpayers know if their community is receiving promised jobs and economic benefits. Recent audits have found deficiencies in IDA processes for approving and monitoring projects, as well as for recouping benefits from projects that have failed to meet their goals.

New York spent $143.9 billion in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2014-15 on an All Governmental Funds (All Funds) basis, an increase of $6.4 billion or 4.6 percent from SFY 2013-14.

In the sixth year of national economic recovery, New York State’s short-term financial condition continues to improve.

Medicaid provides health insurance coverage to more than 6 million New Yorkers and is projected to cost a total of $62 billion from federal, State and local sources in State Fiscal Year 2016.

This report by the Office of the State Comptroller on overtime use by New York State agencies examines overtime patterns over the past eight calendar years. The total cost of overtime in calendar year 2014 was more than $661 million for over 15.9 million overtime hours worked.

New York’s Medicaid program is undergoing major changes, with ambitious plans for further modifications just ahead. The State’s efforts to slow spending growth are showing measurable progress, with average beneficiary costs declining while enrollment continues to grow.

The Executive Budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2015-16 was released by the Executive on January 21, 2015. On February 20, the Executive submitted 30-day amendments to the proposed Budget.

On February 9, 2015, the City of New York submitted to the New York State Financial Control Board a revised financial plan (the “February Plan”) covering fiscal years 2015 through 2019. The February Plan incorporates the Mayor’s preliminary budget for FY 2016 and developments during the first half of the current fiscal year.

As the national economy gains momentum in its sixth year of inconsistent recovery from the Great Recession, New York State's fiscal condition also continues to improve.

The number of school districts overriding the tax cap has declined each year. In general, school districts’ decisions to override the tax cap were based, at least in part, on necessity. When examining the relationship between fiscal stress and tax cap overrides, we found that fiscally stressed school districts were nearly three times more likely to override the tax cap when compared to school districts that were not designated as stressed.

2013-2015 Tax Cap Data - Excel

The districts experiencing fiscal stress are spread across the State. One indicator in particular—the operating deficit—saw substantial changes in the FSMS points assigned compared to the previous year: 19 percent received a higher FSMS score on this indicator, while 28 percent scored lower. Changes in scores for this indicator contributed to changes in districts’ overall levels of fiscal stress.

On November 25, 2014, the City of New York submitted to the New York State Financial Control Board a revised four-year financial plan (the “November Plan”) covering fiscal years 2015 through 2018. The November Plan incorporates developments during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, including higher-than-expected tax collections and agency spending. The November Plan shows substantially smaller out-year gaps than projected by the City in June 2014, mostly because of savings from better-than expected pension fund investment earnings in FY 2014 and additional debt refinancings.

Created in 1970, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is responsible for most of the State’s programs to protect wildlife, natural resources and environmental quality.

This Report on Estimated Receipts and Disbursements for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2014- 15 through SFY 2016-17, issued pursuant to Section 23 of the State Finance Law (as amended by Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2007), is intended to enhance analysis and discussion of the State’s economic condition and the State Budget.

The State ended the first half of State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2014-15 in an improved cash position, due largely to unanticipated settlement revenues and tax receipts.

On July 28, 2014, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) released a preliminary budget for 2015 and an associated financial plan (the “July Plan”). The July Plan, which covers 2014 through 2018, shows that the MTA’s short-term financial outlook continues to improve with the economy.

The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the New York State and Local Retirement System (the System or NYSLRS) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

New York State has made progress toward aligning revenues with expenditures in recent years by limiting spending growth and holding potential budget gaps to comparatively manageable levels.