Reports

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Budget & Finances

July 2008 —

Last summer the subprime mortgage crisis sent shockwaves through the national and local economies. Over the past year, credit has tightened; financial institutions have written off more than $200 billion in bad debt and posted record losses; home values have dipped nationally and have begun to weaken in New York City; job growth has weakened; and inflation has strengthened, particularly for energy and food prices.

Budget & Finances

July 2008 —

This report is the first of a series of quarterly reports that will highlight key aspects of the State Financial Plan, including variances and risks, as actual revenue and spending information is made available through the Office of the State Comptroller Monthly Cash Reports.

Economy

June 2008 —

Sales taxes are an important source of revenue for New York State's local governments. This revenue stream has helped local governments cope with the rising cost of providing services and mitigate property tax increases. Sales tax revenues now exceed the real property tax as the largest revenue source for counties.

Education

June 2008 —

Each year in New York City, more than 100,000 public and private school children between the ages of 5 and 21 are referred (by teachers or parents) to the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to be evaluated for their needs for continued or new special education services.

Budget & Finances

June 2008 —

Our nation is facing very challenging times. The current economic climate, characterized by escalating fuel and food costs, ongoing volatility in the financial markets and continued weakness in the housing market, is straining budgets at every level from federal, state and local governments to individuals.

Infrastructure, Transportation

June 2008 —

Over the past 12 years, the three largest operating agencies of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (i.e., New York City Transit, the Long Island Rail Road, and the Metro-North Railroad) paid out more than $1.1 billion on 86,875 claims for personal injury or property damage. The claims were filed by passengers, employees, motorists, and others.

Budget & Finances

June 2008 —

Last June, New York City’s four-year financial plan was based on what appeared to be very conservative economic and revenue assumptions, given the economic environment at that time. During the summer, however, the subprime mortgage crisis sent shockwaves through the national and local economies. As a result, over the course of the current fiscal year the City revised its economic and revenue outlook to keep ahead of adverse economic developments.

Budget & Finances

April 2008 —

The Enacted Budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2008-09 was passed by the Legislature in its entirety by April 9, 2008, despite tremendous economic uncertainty, declining revenue projections and the transition to a new Executive at a critical time in the budget process.

Environment, Infrastructure

April 2008 —

Since the cost of electricity represents a considerable burden to local governments and their taxpayers, this report focuses on initiatives that reduce electric bills and the consumption of electricity overall, as well as the consumption of electricity generated through traditional methods.

Budget & Finances, Infrastructure, Transportation

March 2008 —

On February 27, 2008, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) released a proposed capital program for 2008-2013.

Budget & Finances

March 2008 —

New York State is facing a number of fiscal challenges resulting in part from economic factors beyond the State’s control. National economic growth is slowing and the risk of recession is increasing.

Budget & Finances, Economy

February 2008 —

This report provides an overview of financial and employment trends of the 116 active Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) in New York State.

Budget & Finances

February 2008 —

As previous reports by the Office of the State Comptroller have pointed out, the terms city, town and village have more to do with history than they do with present day governmental function. This report looks at urban villages as one type of municipal government that has been impacted by these historic designations.

Budget & Finances

January 2008 —

Debt is an essential financing tool for State and local governments. The infrastructure citizens rely on—roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, universities, housing and mass transit—is made possible through the issuance of debt.

Budget & Finances, Infrastructure, Transportation

January 2008 —

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates the largest and most diverse transportation system in the nation, and keeping it secure entails significant challenges.

Wall Street

January 2008 —

Average Wall Street bonuses in 2007 declined 4.7 percent from record levels in the prior year to $180,420 even though the credit crunch and market turmoil battered profits.

Budget & Finances

November 2007 —

In order to facilitate the timely adoption of a State budget for the next fiscal year, Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2007 revised the existing “quick start” budget process to require the staff of the Governor, the Legislature and the Comptroller to separately prepare reports detailing receipts and disbursement estimates for the current and ensuing fiscal years.

Budget & Finances, Infrastructure, Transportation

October 2007 —

New York State and its local governments maintain an extensive infrastructure critical to the economy, including roads, bridges, educational facilities, water and sewer systems and medical facilities. Most of this capital investment is financed through the issuance of long term debt. Investment in such infrastructure maintains and improves the vitality and economic well being of our communities. 

Budget & Finances, Education

October 2007 —

This report provides an overview of their finances, including data for School Districts fiscal years ending in 2004 and 2005.

Budget & Finances, Pension & Retirement

September 2007 —

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, 2007.