The recent announcement that New York state will get nearly $665 million in federal funding to invest in improvements to broadband availability gives the state an opportunity to accelerate universal deployment of the highest-speed connections in every corner of the state, according to a new analysis released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

The shortage of affordable housing is especially hard on elderly New Yorkers, but many units are sitting vacant even though thousands of seniors are on waiting lists for them, an audit released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found. The audit examined whether the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the NYC Housing Development Corporation (HDC) properly oversee the awarding of housing to seniors and a program that assists senior homeowners.

In May, the Office of the State Comptroller approved 2,046 contracts for state agencies and public authorities valued at $2.2 billion and approved more than 2.5 million payments worth nearly $17.1 billion. The office rejected 192 contracts and related transactions valued at $309 million and more than 3,100 payments valued at nearly $19.1 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.

New York’s Health Department (DOH) and Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) can do more to protect the state’s water systems from attacks and the threats posed by natural disasters like storms, according to an audit released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced the following local government and school audits were issued.

The New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund) reached agreements with seven portfolio companies to enhance disclosure of their spending on political causes, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, trustee of the Fund, announced today.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced the following local government and school audits were issued.

Local sales tax collections in New York state increased by 1.1% in May compared to the same month in 2022, according to an analysis released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. This is the third consecutive month in 2023 of less than 2% growth. Overall, local collections totaled $1.71 billion in May, up $18.4 million compared to last year.

New York State’s affordable housing agency, Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), is falling short in its oversight of several Mitchell-Lama developments, according to an audit released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Auditors found unsafe conditions at facilities that went unaddressed, sometimes for years, and questionable spending.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka, and the New York State Police today announced the indictment of former Chatham Rescue Squad Business Manager Sara Thorne, of Forest City, North Carolina, for allegedly stealing more than $17,000 from the rescue squad.

“Thorne allegedly abused her position to divert thousands of dollars meant to protect her community,” DiNapoli said. “Thanks to my ongoing partnership with District Attorney Czajka and the New York State Police, she is now brought to justice.”