Reports

As Comptroller of New York State and Trustee of the Common Retirement Fund (CRF), I am deeply concerned about the impact of climate change on the Fund’s investments, as well as its impact on the economy as whole.

After almost a full decade of U.S. economic expansion, too many New Yorkers still face real challenges making ends meet. One clear sign of this troubling reality is the millions of renters and homeowners in our State who struggle with high housing costs.

Of the total contracts, 2,149 (47 percent) were processed after their start or renewal dates. This is a reduction from 2017, when 54 percent were reported late. This continues a decline in the percentage of late contracts from the five-year high of 77 percent in 2014.

The New York State Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Asset Management and Financial Institution Strategy (Chapter 171, Laws of 2010) was enacted to codify and replicate best practices for providing MWBEs that are asset managers, investment banks and financial and professional service providers with the opportunity to offer services to fiduciary-controlled entities established by New York State law.

On April 25, the Mayor released his executive budget for fiscal year (FY) 2020 and the associated financial plan (the “April Plan”). The FY 2020 budget totals $92.5 billion, including $68.2 billion that will be funded with locally generated revenues (i.e., City funds).

In order to ensure contractors doing business with New York State are paid timely, Article 11-A of State Finance Law prescribes timeframes for agencies to prepare and submit vouchers to the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) for review and approval before payment.

The Office of the State Comptroller received 19,651 contract transactions, including both new contracts and contract amendments, valued at $70.87 billion in the 2018 calendar year. The average time from agency contract submission to final sign-off was 6.3 days.

In 2017, the State’s 109 active Industrial Development Agencies reported projects valued at $98.1 billion, with over $750 million in net annual tax exemptions and $8.0 billion in total debt outstanding, including conduit and other debt. They supported 4,385 projects that produced a net total of 198,522 jobs gained since their inception through 2017.

Interactive Map

In 2018, OSC completed 18 audits of expenses submitted to SED by special education providers and one school-age special education provider. These audits have cumulatively identified almost $14.8 million in recommended disallowances, or almost 4 percent of the total claimed expenses of $372 million for the audit period. 

The construction industry lost more than one quarter of its jobs across the nation during the past recession. Although the contraction was less severe in New York State, the industry still lost 15 percent of its jobs between 2008 and 2010.

Broadly speaking, Long Island residents enjoy a high quality of life, reflected in high median incomes, relatively low unemployment and crime rates, strong public schools, numerous higher education opportunities and many cultural and natural recreational activities. However, the region's population and economic growth comes with challenges, such as traffic congestion and high property taxes.

Statement of Anastasia Titarchuk, Interim Chief Investment Officer, New York State Common Retirement Fund.

This year’s State budget process was complicated by December and January tax revenues falling billions of dollars short of expectations. By the start of the new fiscal year on April 1, the picture was somewhat brighter as a result of stronger than anticipated revenues for the month of March and a higher than expected General Fund balance to begin the new year.

This report on the use of overtime by New York State agencies examines patterns over the past ten calendar years. The total cost of overtime in calendar year 2018 was almost $787 million, covering roughly 18.1 million overtime hours worked.

A report to the Comptroller of the State of New York as the sole trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund (the Fund) on how the Fund can best mitigate investment risks stemming from climate change and maximize opportunities from the new, low-carbon economy.

New York City is experiencing its largest and longest job expansion since the end of World War II.

Securities industry profits in 2018 were 11 percent higher than the previous year, but the average bonus paid to industry employees in New York City declined by almost 17 percent to $153,700.

New York City’s economy continues to set records, although external risks are growing. A total of 820,400 jobs were added between 2009 and 2018, the largest and longest job expansion in the post–World War II period. Employment set an annual record of 4.55 million in 2018, 721,800 higher than the prerecession level in 2008.

From mom-and-pop corner stores to medical practices to computer software start-ups, small businesses play a vital role in New York’s economy.

Statewide, foreclosure filings fell by 46 percent between 2013 and 2018. Foreclosure rates are highest in the Long Island and the Mid-Hudson regions. Only four counties—Clinton, Putnam, Rockland, and Suffolk—have a foreclosure rate over 1 percent. Other stakeholders are pursuing efforts to reduce harm to local governments and communities caused by “zombie properties.”