The Central New York economy is starting to rebound from the Great Recession thanks to a wealth of locally educated young adults, a technically experienced workforce and a relatively low cost of living, according to a profile of the region released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The report, however, noted many communities are still hampered by poverty, unemployment rates above the statewide average and the loss of some large employers.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P.

A company that was supposed to collect rebates from drug manufacturers on behalf of the New York State Health Insurance Plan (NYSHIP) failed to turn over nearly $1.5 million in rebates to the state over a four-year period, according to an audit released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

Tax collections in April were more than $1 billion, or 17 percent lower, than comparable receipts a year ago, but $86.8 million higher than the projections included in the Enacted Budget Financial Plan released earlier this month, according to the April Cash Report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today his office reviewed 1,422 contracts valued at $1 billion and approved more than 4.5 million payments worth nearly $8.5 billion in April. His office also rejected 119 contracts and related transactions valued at $90 million and nearly 4,600 payments valued at more than $7.8 million due to fraud, waste or improprieties.

The former bookkeeper in the town of Altona in Clinton County altered cash receipts in order to embezzle $23,500 in public funds, according to an audit and investigation released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today his office approved 215 contracts valued at $109 million and approved 1.7 million payments worth $5.8 billion in October. His office also rejected 45 contracts and related transactions valued at $31 million and more than 6,900 payments valued at $3.6 million due to fraud, waste or other improprieties. This month’s low volumes occurred because certain October contracts and payments were accelerated into September to allow for an upgrade of the Statewide Financial System.

The New York State Common Retirement Fund’s (Fund) overall return in the second quarter of the Fund’s 2015-2016 fiscal year was -4.13 percent for the three-month period ending Sept. 30, 2015, according to New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The Fund had an estimated value of $173.5 billion at the close of its second quarter.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P.