Reports

Farms are an essential and diverse part of New York State’s economy, contributing significantly to employment, incomes and tax revenues across the Empire State.

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

Local sales tax growth was slower in 2014 than in any year since the 2008-2009 recession, in part due to slow growth in the first quarter of the year. Long Island collections declined, some upstate counties had strong growth due to increased sales tax rates, and New York City's growth was relatively strong.

County-by-county data - pdf

Total local sales tax collections in New York State grew by $439 million, or 3.0 percent, from 2013 to 2014.1 This was less than the 2012 to 2013 growth of 5.2 percent, and the slowest annual growth since the end of the 2008-09 recession.

New York’s State and local public authorities collectively spend nearly $60 billion annually. Their total debt outstanding, more than a quarter of a trillion dollars, equates to $13,013 for every New York resident.

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.

As of December 2014, OSC has completed 40 audits of expenses submitted to SED by preschool and/or school age special education providers over the last decade. These audits have cumulatively identified almost $42 million in disallowances, or 7.6 percent of the total claimed expenses of $544 million for the audit period. 

New York’s State and local public authorities collectively spend nearly $60 billion annually. Their total debt outstanding, more than a quarter of a trillion dollars, equates to $13,013 for every New York resident.

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.

Access to a habitable and secure place to live is a basic human need, essential to good health and well‐being. Keeping New Yorkers housed is costly, however. Government spends billions of dollars annually to assist developers, owners, and renters.

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.

Six years after the financial crisis, the securities industry continues to deal with the fallout. Regulatory reforms are changing the way the industry operates by requiring larger reserves, limiting certain activities and imposing other changes intended to reduce unnecessary risk and to enhance transparency.

The New York City subway system includes 468 passenger stations, which are used by 5.5 million riders each weekday. The system is operated by New York City Transit (NYCT), the largest subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority

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.