Reports

All Governmental Funds tax collections through the third quarter of State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2013-14 were $534 million lower than projected in the most recent update to the SFY 2013-14 Enacted Budget Financial Plan released in November 2013.

This report summarizes findings from the first set of fiscal stress scores to be released for school districts. Statewide, 12.9 percent of school districts are in some level of fiscal stress. Within the report, common fiscal and environmental factors are highlighted along with differences for school districts of varying need/resource capacity.

Like many other "Rust Belt" cities, Buffalo suffered a decline as transportation patterns shifted and manufacturing facilities shut down. However, Buffalo still benefits from its location on the Canadian border and the City, with State and private sector support, has recently made significant efforts to promote new development.

The Office of the State Comptroller received and acted on 22,794 contract transactions in the 2013 calendar year. The average time from submission to final sign-off was 11.2 days. Over three-quarters of these transactions (79 percent) representing over 80 percent of the total contract dollar values were reviewed by OSC in 15 days or less, and an additional 15.8 percent were processed in 16-30 days.

Tax “check-off” programs provide a means for taxpayers to make voluntary contributions for various causes as part of their federal and State income tax filings simply by marking an appropriate box on their tax forms.

School districts are facing a set of unique fiscal challenges that have left many tightening their belts even as the economic recovery has begun to improve New York State finances.

Recent audits of dual employment in six State entities found that managers and supervisors failed to monitor employee time and attendance. At every agency where auditors found employees who violated time and attendance policies, there were also supervisors and managers who didn’t know where their employees were or who allowed employees to misrepresent the hours worked.

On November 21, 2013, the City of New York revised its four-year financial plan (the “November Plan”) to reflect a number of favorable developments since the FY 2014 budget was adopted in June 2013. The City now forecasts that revenues will be higher by $1.1 billion in FY 2014 (mostly from nonrecurring sources), debt service will be lower during the entire financial plan period, and recurring savings will come from a one-year freeze in employee health insurance premiums in FY 2015.

Queens has the largest and most diverse employment base among the four New York City boroughs outside of Manhattan. The residents and businesses in Queens are strong and resilient, having been recently tested by the Great Recession and Superstorm Sandy.

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Rye has strong public and private services, including an excellent school system, a vital retail shopping sector and recreational facilities that include parks, beaches, golf and yacht clubs, and nature centers.

The full value of property in White Plains dropped by 29 percent between 2008 and 2013, after more than doubling from 2002 to 2008. While cities statewide show slight recovery, White Plains may find dealing with the loss of so much property value a challenge in the future.

State and local public authorities and related entities make up an increasingly large and influential sphere of government in New York State.

This Report on Estimated Receipts and Disbursements for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2013-14 through SFY 2015-16, 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.

Throughout our nation’s history, NYC has been a magnet for immigrants from other countries seeking religious and political freedoms and economic opportunities.

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Midway through State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2013-14, overall tax collections are slightly below the latest Division of the Budget (DOB) projections included in the First Quarter Update to the SFY 2013-14 Enacted Budget Financial Plan.

In 2012, the full market value of all real property in New York State was estimated at $2.5 trillion dollars with about $826 billion exempt from one or more types of taxes. This report explores what tax exemptions are, where they are most prevalent, and what local governments may do to minimize their impact. 

Five years after the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, Wall Street has made an impressive comeback. The industry is adapting to regulatory reforms and other challenges, and has been profitable for four consecutive years (including the three best years on record).

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, 2013.

New York State has had a long history of structural budgetary imbalance and multibillion dollar out-year deficits. However, progress toward long-term budget balance has been made over the last three years.

This report summarizes the findings for all of the calendar year-based local governments which have been scored to date, focusing on common themes and statewide trends.