Reports

This report by the Office of the State Comptroller on overtime use by New York State agencies examines overtime patterns over the past eight calendar years. The total cost of overtime in calendar year 2014 was more than $661 million for over 15.9 million overtime hours worked.

New York’s Medicaid program is undergoing major changes, with ambitious plans for further modifications just ahead. The State’s efforts to slow spending growth are showing measurable progress, with average beneficiary costs declining while enrollment continues to grow.

The Executive Budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2015-16 was released by the Executive on January 21, 2015. On February 20, the Executive submitted 30-day amendments to the proposed Budget.

On February 9, 2015, the City of New York submitted to the New York State Financial Control Board a revised financial plan (the “February Plan”) covering fiscal years 2015 through 2019. The February Plan incorporates the Mayor’s preliminary budget for FY 2016 and developments during the first half of the current fiscal year.

As the national economy gains momentum in its sixth year of inconsistent recovery from the Great Recession, New York State's fiscal condition also continues to improve.

The number of school districts overriding the tax cap has declined each year. In general, school districts’ decisions to override the tax cap were based, at least in part, on necessity. When examining the relationship between fiscal stress and tax cap overrides, we found that fiscally stressed school districts were nearly three times more likely to override the tax cap when compared to school districts that were not designated as stressed.

2013-2015 Tax Cap Data - Excel

The districts experiencing fiscal stress are spread across the State. One indicator in particular—the operating deficit—saw substantial changes in the FSMS points assigned compared to the previous year: 19 percent received a higher FSMS score on this indicator, while 28 percent scored lower. Changes in scores for this indicator contributed to changes in districts’ overall levels of fiscal stress.

On November 25, 2014, the City of New York submitted to the New York State Financial Control Board a revised four-year financial plan (the “November Plan”) covering fiscal years 2015 through 2018. The November Plan incorporates developments during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, including higher-than-expected tax collections and agency spending. The November Plan shows substantially smaller out-year gaps than projected by the City in June 2014, mostly because of savings from better-than expected pension fund investment earnings in FY 2014 and additional debt refinancings.

Created in 1970, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is responsible for most of the State’s programs to protect wildlife, natural resources and environmental quality.

This Report on Estimated Receipts and Disbursements for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2014- 15 through SFY 2016-17, issued pursuant to Section 23 of the State Finance Law (as amended by Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2007), is intended to enhance analysis and discussion of the State’s economic condition and the State Budget.

The State ended the first half of State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2014-15 in an improved cash position, due largely to unanticipated settlement revenues and tax receipts.

On July 28, 2014, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) released a preliminary budget for 2015 and an associated financial plan (the “July Plan”). The July Plan, which covers 2014 through 2018, shows that the MTA’s short-term financial outlook continues to improve with the economy.

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, 2014.

New York State has made progress toward aligning revenues with expenditures in recent years by limiting spending growth and holding potential budget gaps to comparatively manageable levels. 

Overall, 35 entities were classified as being in some level of stress, with 10 designated as being in significant fiscal stress, 8 in moderate fiscal stress and 17 susceptible to fiscal stress.

This follow-up report expands the analysis of the previous report; updating annual local government financial data and contrasting that to the associated local financial infrastructure needs in the most recent New York State studies. It also draws upon a new series of interviews with local officials to assess how they are working to provide the best infrastructure possible to their residents.

The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the State of New York for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

The State’s All Governmental Funds tax collections through the first quarter of the 2014-15 State Fiscal Year (SFY) were $1.3 billion higher than projected in this year’s Enacted Budget Financial Plan, primarily due to increased business tax and Personal Income Tax (PIT) collections.

On June 26, 2014, the City of New York submitted to the New York State Financial Control Board a revised financial plan for FY 2014, which ended on June 30, 2014, and a new four-year financial plan (the “June Plan”) for fiscal years 2015 through 2018. The June Plan incorporates the adopted budget for FY 2015 and other revisions since the Mayor released his executive budget.

The regional transit system operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has improved dramatically over the past three decades.