Joseph Hernandez, Republican candidate for New York State Comptroller, today attacked State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's new report on state aid to New York City. The report documents more than $21 billion flowing from Albany to City Hall this year without asking whether that money is producing results or being lost to waste and fraud.
"Governor Hochul writes the checks, Mayor Mamdani spends the money, and Tom DiNapoli, the one official elected to watch both of them, just handed all New Yorkers the receipt," said Hernandez.
DiNapoli's own report shows state aid to the city exploding across major programs:
- $11 billion in Foundation Aid to NYC schools, nearly double 2008, with no accounting for results.
- $2.4 billion in state child care funding, including $940 million added this year, with no verification of roughly 110,000 vouchers.
- $880 million in school transportation aid, much of it paid to private bus contractors, with no audit.
- $1.8 billion in school building aid, nearly triple 2008, while the city is still trying to get children out of temporary classrooms.
- 3.6 million city residents enrolled in Medicaid, while the report says nothing about fraud or improper payments.
The report's only warning is that federal cuts could force "tough choices."
"Here's a tough choice: find out where the money went before asking taxpayers for another dime," said Hernandez. "Hochul's answer is always to spend more. Mamdani's answer is always to ask for more. DiNapoli's answer is always to look the other way. After nearly twenty years, New Yorkers deserve a watchdog, not a lapdog."
As Comptroller, Hernandez will create a Fraud Strike Team inside the Comptroller's office, with its first targets being the fastest-growing programs: transportation, child care, and Medicaid. All findings will be made public.
"Every dollar will be traced, and whoever signed for it will be named," said Hernandez. "They spend it. I'll audit it."
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