"Nation's Report Card" Underscores New York's Need for Academic Recovery

Losses in Fourth Grade Math and Reading Double National Average

The COVID-19 pandemic forced New York’s schools to take on the extraordinary challenge of quickly shifting to remote learning formats. Recent national data show student performance dropped significantly in 2022 from 2019, with New York experiencing even greater declines than the nation in fourth grade math and reading. School districts need to swiftly invest significant resources in helping students that are most in need to make up for learning loss, while pandemic relief funds for education are still available.

Report on the State Fiscal Year 2023-24 Executive Budget

Identifies several economic, revenue and spending risks and other concerns

The Executive Budget proposes $227 billion in All Funds spending in SFY 2023-24, an increase of 2.5% from the prior year. The State faces prolonged inflation, rising federal interest rates and the end of federal relief aid that was instrumental in balancing the past two budgets. As a result, the Division of the Budget projects shortfalls in revenues and increases in spending.

New Yorkers in Need

Food Insecurity and Nutritional Assistance Programs

Approximately one in ten, or about 800,000, New York households experienced food insecurity from 2019 to 2021, and an increasing number say they face food insufficiency since summer 2021. This report is the second in the “New Yorkers in Need” series. It details recent trends in food insecurity, explains policy interventions by the federal and State governments, and demonstrates a clear need for a continuing commitment to reduce the incidence of food insecurity.

Assessment of New York State Thruway Authority Finances and Proposed Toll Increase

Toll Increases Should Be Last Option

Last year the New York State Thruway Authority proposed a multi-year schedule of toll increases to begin in 2024. This report provides a summary of the Thruway Authority’s current and forecasted revenue and expenses, factors that have impacted its finances over the past several years, the toll increase proposal, and considerations to help guide the assessment of the proposal.

Report on Estimated Receipts and Disbursements

State Fiscal Years 2022-23 through 2024-25

The Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) prepares this report as part of the “Quick Start” process established in State Finance Law. The report includes revenue and spending projections through SFY 2024-25.

Public Authorities by the Numbers

Public Authority Debt Ballooned to $329 Billion

This report provides the public detailed information about State and local public authorities and makes recommendations to improve transparency and eliminate use of backdoor borrowing and debt gimmicks that seek to weaken or circumvent debt limits.

Read Report

Also see State Public Authorities Dashboard

New Yorkers in Need

A Look at Poverty Trends in New York State for the Last Decade

New York had the 13^th highest poverty rate among states in 2021, and has surpassed the national average since 2014. These rates have been persistently higher among some groups, including children; New Yorkers of color, and those with less than a high school education. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an expansion of the safety net by the federal government that effectively reduced poverty, and some parts of that should be continued. State government should also ensure resources are equitably targeted and a cross-agency focus is maintained to alleviate poverty in a sustained manner.