This Week: Comptroller DiNapoli Issues Statement on Passage of Final State Budget

 

Comptroller DiNapoli Issues Statement on Passage of Final State Budget

Comptroller DiNapoli released the following statement on the passage of the final state budget:

 

"Families across New York are struggling to keep up with everyday costs. This budget helps ease some of that burden. It also makes important investments in healthcare, housing and education, and gives critical aid to New York City and upstate communities. The budget takes action to alleviate utility cost burdens and takes steps to reform the rate-setting process to elevate consumer affordability concerns. I was pleased to see new protections for our immigrants that will help inoculate our communities from some of the hurtful policies that continue to come from the Trump administration.

 

"We're evaluating the procurement changes that increased the thresholds for when contracts must come to us for review and when a contract must be competitively bid. Our office rigorously scrutinizes state procurements and agency spending to protect the taxpayers from waste, fraud and abuse. Limiting these abilities can hurt taxpayers.

 

"This budget process went far past the April 1 deadline, and I’m concerned this is becoming the new norm. As spending increases, out-year budget gaps could put future priorities at risk.

 

My office will review the final enacted budget and release an analysis in the coming weeks."

Over $40,000 in Unclaimed Funds Returned to Central NY Housing Non-Profit

 

Comptroller DiNapoli recently returned over $40,000 in unclaimed funds to Home HeadQuarters, a Central New York non-profit dedicated to creating affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families. This recovery serves as a great reminder to all New York non-profits, businesses, and residents: the Comptroller’s Office returns an average of $2 million in unclaimed funds every day.

Check for Unclaimed Funds

Comptroller DiNapoli's Annual Report on MTA Debt Highlights Progress on Capital Programs

A new report released by Comptroller DiNapoli shows the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has made progress on its capital programs. As of April 2026, the MTA has committed more than $38 billion of its $55.4 billion 2020-2024 capital program, reflecting more financing certainty and accelerated project activity.

While the outlook for capital funding and debt levels has improved this year, Comptroller DiNapoli cautioned that federal uncertainties remain. The MTA is counting on $14 billion in federal funds for its current capital program. If these funds become entangled in federal politics or delayed, it could force the MTA into making hard choices between increasing its debt load or deferring critical improvements needed to keep the system safe and functional.

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Comptroller DiNapoli Opposed Con Ed’s Executive Pay Plan

Con Ed asked its shareholders to rubber-stamp a poorly designed & bloated executive pay plan. With New Yorkers facing an affordability crisis driven in part by rising energy costs, the case for tighter executive pay practices at regulated utilities is clear. Comptroller DiNapoli opposed Con Ed’s executive pay plan for a second year in a row.

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Staten Island Woman Pays Full Restitution after Cheating Brother-in-Law Out of Sister's NYS Pension Death Benefits

Comptroller DiNapoli and Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon announced the arrest and sentencing of a Staten Island woman for the theft of her sister’s state pension death benefit. The woman fraudulently designated herself as her sister’s sole beneficiary while her sister was on her deathbed. When her sister died, she received over $400,000 from the pension fund, which her sister had wished to be split between her husband and the defendant.

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This Week in Pictures

M U N I C I P A L   A U D I T S

• City of Buffalo – Budget Review
  
  
• Kerhonkson Fire District – Board Oversight
  
  
• Midway Fire Department – Disbursements
  
  
• North Brookfield Fire District – Board Oversight
  
  
• Schodack Landing Fire District No. 1 – Claims Auditing
  
  
• Taberg Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. – Financial Activities
  
  
• Town of Catharine – Transparency of Fiscal Activities
  
  
• Town of Fremont – Transparency of Fiscal Activities
  
  
• Town of Greenville – Transparency of Fiscal Activities
  
  
• Town of New Hudson – Transparency of Fiscal Activities
  
  
• Town of Pamelia – Transparency of Fiscal Activities
  
  
• Town of Spencer – Procurement
  
  
• Village of Churchville – Electric Utility Services Billing and Collections
  
  
• Village of Fredonia – Financial Condition
  
  
• Village of Rhinebeck – Claims Auditing

A L S O   I N   T H E   N E W S

• Income for many in NY not keeping pace with inflation
• Businesses in City Council District 43 will receive checks as part of Unclaimed Funds outreach
• Comptroller: State Pension Fund Closes at Record High

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