Over the past ten years, New York has spent $63.2 billion to support its capital program. Despite this significant investment, there are many critical capital needs across the State that remain unmet, calling into question the adequacy and effectiveness of the current capital planning and financing process.

This Report on Estimated Receipts and Disbursements for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2010-11 through SFY 2012-13, issued pursuant to Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2007, is intended to facilitate continuing discussion of the State’s economic condition and the State Budget.

The State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2011-12 Executive Budget makes significant progress in addressing the State’s structural deficit by bringing recurring spending into better alignment with recurring revenue.

The budget process for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2011-12 is well underway, with several milestones reached. On March 1, the Executive and the Legislature reached consensus on an economic and revenue forecast for the current year and the next, and on March 3, the Executive submitted final amendments to the proposed budget.

For many years, budgets in New York State, in addition to being enacted after the start of the fiscal year, have been characterized by overly optimistic revenue estimates, unrealistic spending targets, and excessive reliance on temporary or non-recurring revenues.

This Report on Estimated Receipts and Disbursements for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2011-12 through SFY 2013-14, issued pursuant to Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2007, is intended to facilitate continuing discussion of the State’s economic condition and the State Budget.

The Office of the State Comptroller maintains extensive data on receipts and disbursements, which reflect the flow of revenues and expenditures through the State’s Central Accounting System (CAS).

As Chief Fiscal Officer for the State of New York, the Comptroller annually examines the Executive Budget proposal and the Enacted Budget, as well as issues monthly reports on the State’s cash position. This report provides an analysis of the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2012-13 Executive Budget.

Cost containment actions in the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2011-12 Enacted Budget, including spending caps for State-funded Medicaid and school aid, have greatly reduced the structural deficit that has long plagued the State.

New York is embarked on a new era of State and local fiscal policy. The State is working to resolve longstanding budgetary problems through ambitious policy changes, the full impacts of which will become clear only over time.