Tourism in New York state has grown post-pandemic but employment in tourism-related industries remains 4.3% below pre-pandemic levels, according to an analysis released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The report found strong increases in domestic and international travelers to the state. In particular, visitors flocked to outdoor destinations, with attendance at state parks 9.1% higher in 2023 than 2020.
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is making a steady recovery from the pandemic with growing ridership, increased service routes into the Grand Central Madison terminal and on-time performance in 2023 that was better than in 2019. Still, the LIRR had 31% more delays from train car problems last year than in 2019, showing there are still areas that can improve as ridership returns, a new report from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli shows.
Small businesses with fewer than five employees grew over 10% in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The report details the growth in New York City’s small businesses, the industries that were most affected, and the areas, Brooklyn and the Bronx, that saw the highest increases.
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and the New York State Police announced the arrest of Village of Candor Mayor Eric Halstead for stealing from the village’s General Fund.
“Mayor Halstead was entrusted by his community to serve their interests, but instead allegedly treated the village’s money as his own,” DiNapoli said. “My thanks to Tioga County District Attorney Kirk Martin and the New York State Police for their partnership in ensuring justice will be served.”
In April, the Office of the State Comptroller approved 1,450 contracts for state agencies and public authorities valued at $23.3 billion and approved over 4.6 million payments totaling more than $14.4 billion. The office rejected 215 contracts and related transactions valued at $1.7 billion and more than 5,800 payments valued at more than $25.3 million, primarily for mistakes, insufficient support for charges, and improper payments. More information on these contracts and payments is available at Open Book New York.
As the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) adjusts to the loss of $15 billion in congestion pricing revenue and decides which capital projects to cancel or delay, it must prioritize keeping the system in a state of good repair and it must be transparent about how the choices it makes will impact riders, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
Motor vehicle fatalities in New York state rose 25.8% from 2019-2022, with fatalities at the highest level in a decade in 2022, even as the number of vehicle miles travelled, licensed drivers, and traffic accidents have declined, according to a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced the following local government and school audits were issued.
The North Shore, for many the gateway to Staten Island, has led the borough in population growth since 2010, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The North Shore is located just north of the Staten Island Expressway and serves as an important freight and commuting hub. The area accounts for more than one third of the Staten Island population and its residents tend to be younger and more racially diverse than in other parts of the borough.
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced that the New York State Common Retirement Fund’s investment return was 11.55% for the state fiscal year that ended March 31, 2024. The Fund closed the year with an estimated value of $267.7 billion.
