State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News - Juneteenth is a Time for Reflection and Celebration

 

Juneteenth Is a Time for Reflection and Celebration

Juneteenth is a time for reflection. We remember that our nation was built on liberty, but Black Americans were long excluded from that promise. We celebrate the joy of freedom but we will never forget the pain that led to it. Local Sales Tax Collections Up Slightly in May 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 by State Comptroller 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. DiNapoli Audit Finds Hazardous Conditions Persist in Mitchell-Lama Developments New York State’s affordable housing agency, Homes and Community Renewal, is falling short in its oversight of several Mitchell-Lama developments, according to an audit released by State Comptroller DiNapoli. Auditors found unsafe conditions at facilities that went unaddressed, sometimes for years, and questionable spending. Former Chatham Rescue Squad Business Manager Charged With Stealing Over $17k From Squad State Comptroller DiNapoli, Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka, and the New York State Police 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. State Comptroller DiNapoli, Senator Cooney and Assemblymember Solages Urge Governor to Sign Contract Legislation State Comptroller DiNapoli, Senator Jeremy A. Cooney, and Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages urged Governor Kathy Hochul to sign legislation that passed both houses at the end of session enhancing transparency and accountability for State contracts awarded during a state of emergency, such as those that were not made transparent to the public during the COVID pandemic, as well as those contracts that are otherwise exempted from the Comptroller’s review. ALSO IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK Note: Some news links may require a paid subscription.  New York comptroller urges Hochul to approve transparency in contracting measure Op-ed | The double-edged sword of pandemic-driven technological acceleration Audit identifies unsafe conditions, financial mismanagement at two Bronx Mitchell-Lama complexes Ex-Chatham Squad official indicted   Tweet of the Week Tom DiNapoli @NYSComptroller