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DiNapoli Announces Reduction in Employer Contribution Rates for Retirement System

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced reductions in employer contribution rates to the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) for both of its systems – the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) and Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS). The adjusted rates will impact payments next State Fiscal Year 2022-23. In addition, DiNapoli lowered the long-term assumed rate of return on the Fund’s investments from 6.8% to 5.9%.

Upstate Transportation Authorities Suffer Revenue Plunge

The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for the State’s regional transportation authorities by disrupting operations, decreasing ridership, and severely reducing revenues; however, these authorities reported that federal aid helped them weather pandemic deficits. If ridership continues to languish and does not return to pre-pandemic levels, the authorities will need additional revenue from other sources to continue to provide services at current levels—or may be faced with limiting services.

DiNapoli: Former Non-Profit Executive Pleads Guilty to Falsifying Business Records

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced that former Family Service Society (FSS) Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Thurber today pleaded guilty to manipulating the organization’s payroll system to defraud the organization of over $5,500. Thurber altered the payroll system to increase her paid time off and lower her health insurance premiums, giving herself $5,518.77 in benefits that she was not entitled to.

Local Sales Tax Collections Up More Than 21 Percent

Local government sales tax collections in July increased by 21.2% over the same month in 2020, marking the fourth consecutive month that collections exceeded 2020 results. Collections totaled close to $1.6 billion, up $276 million from July of last year.

Statewide Local Sales Tax Collections Up More Than 21 Percent

Local government sales tax collections in July increased by 21.2% over the same month in 2020, marking the fourth consecutive month that collections exceeded 2020 results, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today. Collections totaled close to $1.6 billion, up $276 million from July of last year.

New York State Rent Relief Funding: Spotlight on New York City

Millions of Americans still face housing insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 15 percent behind on rent payments at the end of June. New York City not only houses the majority of the State’s renters but also had relatively high rates of rent-burdened tenants prior to the pandemic.