New York City’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 operating budget relies on $7.4 billion in federal government funding, accounting for 6.4% of total spending. Recent federal government actions to cut grant programs could jeopardize at least $535 million of federal aid in FY 2025 and FY 2026, but nearly all federal operating aid that flows to the City could be subject to cuts or elimination.
For the fourth year in a row, federal pandemic relief funds resulted in New York having a positive balance of payments with Washington. For every tax dollar New York paid to Washington in Federal Fiscal Year 2023, the State received $1.06 in return; the national average was $1.32. New York’s balance of payments was $912 per capita, ranking New York 42nd among states. This report is the ninth in a series by the Office of the State Comptroller that examines the flow of funds between the federal government and the states.
The Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) included over 100 provisions amending the federal taxation of individuals and businesses beginning in tax year 2018. Should the provisions of the TCJA sunset with no additional changes made to the federal tax code, there would be little impact on New York State tax collections due to the decoupling that occurred in State Fiscal Year 2018-19. Whatever the outcome relating to the extension of the TCJA as well the inclusion of any new proposals, New York taxpayers will be impacted.
New York City increased its expectations for its surplus in fiscal year (FY) 2025 to $2.34 billion, largely as a result of stronger tax revenue projections and a reduction in the cost of providing services to asylum seekers, which will help balance its $116.9 billion FY 2026 budget. With escalating uncertainty in the federal funding environment — which could lead the State to make choices to balance its budget that pressure local government finances — preparation and transparency remain paramount to navigate the future.
This report examines the ways that funding received by local governments – from federal stimulus programs – as well as volatile annual state and local revenue sources – can impact local budgeting. The temporary nature of the federal stimulus funds in combination with state aid that has not kept pace with inflation, sales tax growth that has returned to lower pre-pandemic levels, and flat property tax revenue growth can put local governments closer to the edge of the fiscal cliff if not carefully managed.
This assessment of the proposed Executive Budget identifies risks and concerns that underscore the importance of taking action to address the trajectory of State spending and improve the State’s structural imbalance, while continuing to bolster the State’s rainy day reserves. After several years of benefitting from extraordinary pandemic relief funding, the federal-state relationship may be changing in ways that could result in cuts to key State programs, especially in health and social services. The need to strengthen the State’s fiscal position has never been greater.
This report highlights Fiscal Stress Monitoring System (FSMS) results for school districts that reported for school fiscal year (SY) 2023-24, which ended on June 30, 2024. Of the 670 districts scored, 22, or 3.3 percent, received a fiscal stress designation. This is six more than in SY 2022-23. The report also includes a look at districts that have experienced chronic fiscal stress over the twelve years since FSMS began and a brief analysis of the system’s companion set of environmental indicators.
New York City’s finances have stabilized amid declining costs for asylum seekers and strong revenue, largely from growth in business and property tax collections. The City must balance fiscal management with its operational needs to ensure it can continue to encourage employment and business growth, enhancing its economic and tax revenue base.
New York City’s government workforce reached more than 300,000 employees in June of 2024, the first year-over-year increase since the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, some City agencies remain understaffed, resulting in critical services being impacted. The operational complexity in delivering these services highlights the critical need for stakeholders (management and the public) to have access to relevant data to evaluate the performance of a given agency or program.
New York City Health + Hospitals (H+H) spent $168 million more than projected on temporary staff, despite hiring over 1,660 new nurses in city fiscal year 2024. Nurse employment trends have improved since the end of the public health emergency, especially in New York City and particularly at H+H. In order to manage staffing pressures and service demand, H+H must continue to balance hiring of new staff to execute on its strategic and financial plan.
