The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is not doing enough to ensure rechargeable batteries are recycled as required by law to protect the environment and public safety, according to an audit released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
Outdoor recreation in New York provided $21.1 billion in economic activity in 2020 and supported over 241,000 jobs. While New York ranks fourth in the nation on GDP generated by outdoor recreation, outdoor recreation represents a more significant part of the economy in nearly every other state. Efforts to bolster tourism and protect the outdoors are important for spurring greater economic activity and enhancing access to and utilization of these amenities.
“RealEats is a homegrown New York success story. It is meeting the growing consumer demand for healthy, easy-to-prepare dinner options that arrive at your door, many created with fresh food from the Finger Lakes,” New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said. “The state pension fund has invested nearly $8 million in RealEats because the company is generating results and shows significant potential as demand for online meal services increases. We’re proud to help this New York business expand into a new facility.
Broadband access is increasingly necessary for everyday activities and especially vital for businesses, remote workers, online education and health care appointments, but Empire State Development’s (ESD) New NY Broadband Program has fallen short of its mission to bring universal broadband access to New Yorkers, according to an audit by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
Five major U.S. companies have agreed to disclose their political spending under agreements reached with the New York State Common Retirement Fund, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today. DiNapoli’s political spending proposal at Twitter also received a majority of support from shareholders at the company’s annual meeting, and he has since called on the company to fully implement the proposal.
The devastating job losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to a record number of unemployment insurance (UI) claims in New York, necessitating borrowing from the federal government beginning in May 2020. Two years later, the State’s UI debt has remained stubbornly high despite steady employment gains and state tax rates that have already increased to maximum permissible levels. Absent federal or state significant action, interest costs will mount and employers federal taxes will also grow.
Of the total contracts reported by State agencies in 2021, 58 percent were processed after their start or renewal dates, a decrease from 78 percent in 2020.
For State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22, agencies paid vendors $1,005,376 in interest, a decrease of $445,842 (approximately 31 percent) from SFY 2020-21.
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.
The Comptroller is responsible for ensuring State and local governments use taxpayer money effectively and efficiently, including through the review of contracts. This year’s State budget allowed at least $11 billion in spending without a competitive process or the benefit of an OSC review. OSC’s oversight adds tremendous value, and contract review was completed in an average of just 5.3 days in 2021. A bill to statutorily restore certain OSC oversight authority for billions of dollars in contract spending should be enacted in this legislative session.
