Office of the New York State Comptroller Dinapoli - This Week: Building, Investing, and Celebrating Together

 

Weekly Recap: Building, Investing, and Celebrating Together 

This week, Comptroller DiNapoli participated in several events—including addressing the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York’s winter conference and meeting with the NY Building Congress and NYS Building Trades, whose members remain essential to the economic vitality of New York City. The Comptroller also convened a meeting of the Advisory Council for the Retirement System, which is charged with navigating the long-term health of the NYS Common Retirement Fund. Another highlight was the 2026 Flushing Lunar New Year Parade, where the streets of Queens came alive with music and color to welcome the New Year. 

Comptroller DiNapoli's Report Examines Post-COVID Trends in New York's Aging Prison Population

The long-term decline in the number of individuals in state prisons has led to a demographic shift towards an older incarcerated population, and necessitates increased attention to policies and costs associated with this trend according to a report by Comptroller DiNapoli.

“The share of older people in New York’s prisons has grown over time,” DiNapoli said. “We need careful evaluation of policies related to sentencing, parole, compassionate release, geriatric and health costs, and reentry support for this older population to determine an approach that ensures public safety and protects taxpayers, while reducing incarceration where warranted.”

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Siblings Plead Guilty to Stealing Rent-Relief Funds

A pair of siblings has pleaded guilty to stealing $90,000 in Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds to which they were not entitled, Comptroller DiNapoli, Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced.

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A G E N C Y   A U D I T S

Department of Health – Medicaid Program: Oversight of Health Homes

Natural Heritage Trust – Security Over Critical System

State Education Department (Preschool Special Education Audit Initiative) – Charles R. Drew Early Childhood Center, Inc.: Compliance With the Reimbursable Cost Manual

Office of Children and Family Services – Oversight of Juvenile Justice Facilities (Follow-Up)

Department of Transportation - Payments to WSP USA Inc. 

Department of Health - Payments Pursuant to the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Program 

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services - Payments to Tidal Basin Government Consulting LLC 

A L S O   I N   T H E   N E W S 

N.Y. state comptroller explains his report warning executive budget spending is estimated to increase faster than expected revenues 

Affordable housing complexes overseen by NYC plagued with problems, comptroller's investigation finds 

DiNapoli: Stronger Oversight Needed for Social Adult Daycare Programs 

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P O S T   O F   T H E   W E E K

Housing Lottery Launches for Courtlandt Manor at 784 Courtlandt Avenue in Melrose, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for Courtlandt Manor, a seven-story mixed-use building at 784 Courtlandt Avenue in Melrose, The Bronx. Designed by OCV Architects and developed by NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the structure yields 20 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 19 units for residents at 30 to 70 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $3,806 to $140,630.

Amenities include a card-operated laundry room, community room, and social service office. Tenants are responsible for electricity, including electric stove.

At 30 percent of the AMI, there is one studio with a monthly rent of 30 percent of their income for incomes ranging from $0 to $38,880; one one-bedroom with a monthly rent of 30 percent of their income for incomes ranging from $0 to $43,740; two two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of 30 percent of their income for incomes ranging from $0 to $52,500; and one three-bedroom with a monthly rent of 30 percent of their income for incomes ranging from $0 to $60,270.

At 50 percent of the AMI, there is one studio with a monthly rent of $910 for incomes ranging from $35,006 to $64,800.

At 60 percent of the AMI, there are five one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,411 for incomes ranging from $52,698 to $87,480, and three two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,682 for incomes ranging from $63,395 to $105,000.

At 70 percent of the AMI, there are two one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,676 for incomes ranging from $61,783 to $102,060; two two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,999 for incomes ranging from $74,263 to $122,500; and one three-bedroom with a monthly rent of $2,298 for incomes ranging from $85,955 to $140,630.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than March 12, 2026.

Wave Hill Weekly Events (Mar 5 – Mar 12) | Dig in to the Garden's Greenhouse!

 

Around the corner, awaits a sea of blue, ready to roll down the hills across the gardens. A “super-bloom” of glory-of-the-snow marks the start of spring at Wave Hill. Thesegentian blue flowers bloom together, producing a carpet-like display under trees, in garden beds and alongside paths in the Woodland. Watch for the signs beginning inlate-March and plan your visit before it's gone!

 

 

Special Events 

 

Conservatory Family Exploration Day 

Sun, Mar 8, 2026 | All Day    

Free with admission to the grounds     

Registration not required.    

Explore the Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory! Chat with garden experts and discover how greenhouses work. Adopt a plant of your own to take home. Activities are drop-in and intended for children and their adult companions.    

 

Nature & Wellness 

 

Garden Highlights Walk 

Sun, Mar 8, 1:00PM – 1:30PM    

Free with admission to the grounds     

Registration not required.    

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide; each walk varies with the Guide leading it. 

Spring Birding 

Sun, Mar 8, 9:30AM – 11:00AM     

Registration encouraged. 

Welcome migratory birds back to Wave Hill this spring! Explore the gardens with Ryan Mandelbaum to look for resident and rare birds as they pass through on their northern journey or settle down for the season. 

  

Art 

 

Winter Workspace 2026 

January 5  –  April 12 | All Day    

Free with admission to the grounds     

Registration not required.    

This year, the Winter Workspace program consists of two back-to-back, seven-week sessions, in which New York area artists research, develop, and make work informed by the site, ecology and history of Wave Hill. Artists are encouraged to engage with the site’s history, architecture, and visitors while expanding their practices using resources from the garden 

 

Family 

 

Family Art Project: Mini Greenhouses 

Sat, Mar 7, 10:00AM – 1:00PM   

Sun, Mar 8, 10:00AM – 1:00PM   

Free with admission to the grounds     

Registration not required.    

To celebrate Conservatory Weekend, let’s learn all about how greenhouses work and the types of plants that grow inside! Then, use your imagination to create a greenhouse of your own design.     

At 11:30am families can enjoy a story time program in the Gund Theater. 

 

Adopt-a-Plant 

Sun, Mar 8, 12:00PM – 3:00PM   

Free with admission to the grounds     

Registration not required.    

Drop by Wave Hill House to pick out and pot up your new mini-plant friend! Meet some plants from our greenhouse collection, while learning how to keep your plant healthy and happy at home. 

 

Exploring Biomes 

Sun, Mar 8 | All Day   

Free with admission to the grounds     

Registration not required.    

Explore the Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory with fresh eyes! Learn how our greenhouses mimic three types of biomes, or regions of the world with similar climates, plants, and animals. Feel the differences in humidity and temperature from room to room.  

 

HOURS STARTING MARCH 15: 10AM–4:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday  

Shuttle Service free from Subway and Metro-North, Saturday–Sunday 

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org.   

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

SENATOR RIVERA IN THE COMMUNITY

SENATOR RIVERA HOSTS RENT FREEZE AND HOMEOWNER TAX BREAK SCREENING DAY AT PART OF THE SOLUTION!

This week, Senator Rivera’s office partnered up with the organization Part of The Solution (POTS) to host a Rent Freeze and Homeowner Tax Break Screening Day.

For a third year in a row, staff members from both offices assisted constituents with initial and renewal applications for SCRIE, DRIE, and SCHE. Over two dozen constituents were assisted at the event! Thank you POTS for your partnership!

Last weekend, Hands Off NYC held a Weekend of Action, where New Yorkers across the city came together in solidarity to educate the community about their constitutional rights as well as what needs to be done if there's an encounter with ICE agents.

Our office was proud to serve as a materials pick-up location for red cards, whistles, pins, and stickers from Hands Off NYC. As a friendly reminder, Senator Rivera's office also offers multilingual “Know Your Rights” palm cards.

Call our office at 718-933-2034 or email grivera@nysenate.gov to request free copies so you can distribute them at your school, organization, business, or in your neighborhood.

Click the link below if you’re interested in attending the next Hands Off NYC advocacy event.

FIND UPCOMING EVENTS

This week, Senator Rivera stood alongside the New Yorkers United for Child Care coalition and hundreds of parents, children, and advocates to urge the Legislature and the Executive to tax the rich to secure universal childcare for working families across New York State.

Senator Rivera strongly believes that we must pass proposals that make the wealthiest New Yorkers and corporations pay their fair share. Senator Rivera is proud to sponsor S.1439, which would fairly tax long-term capital gains for the top 1%.

Senator Rivera is a proud supporter of the Invest in Our New York (IONY) campaign to make billionaires and corporations pay their fair share. Learn more about IONY's 2026 Revenue Agenda here.

This week, Senator Rivera’s 'New York Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act' (S.1618) passed the Senate floor.

This is a priority of his because it would allow direct partnership with prescription drug manufacturers to produce generic drugs such as insulin and significantly lower the costs for consumers. California has already demonstrated the positive impacts of this initiative.

With healthcare costs going up, this bill will allow our State to drive drug costs down.

This week, Senator Rivera joined The Bronx Defenders and other advocacy organizations during their Dignity Not Detention Rally to shed light on the importance of passing New York For All Act, S.2235A, and the Dignity Not Detention Act, S.316, two important legislation pieces that would assure justice, protection, and due process for constituents regardless of their immigration status.

In light of the horrific and preventable death of legally blind Rohingya refugee Nurul Amin Shah Alam in Buffalo, it even more urgent that we pass these bills so that our State’s local law enforcement stop colluding with CBP and ICE agents. We should prohibit any person or entity in the state of New York from owning or operating immigrant detention facilities. Our communities are in danger and our job as leaders is to protect them.

SENATOR RIVERA HOLDS SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETING

This week, the Senate Health Committee held their third meeting of this legislative year and passed all 21 bills including 8 sponsored by Senator Rivera:

• S.1617: Provides for automatic enrollment and recertification simplification for Medicaid managed care plans and long term care plans.

• S.3581: Provides lead service line identification by a public water system that serves certain areas.

• S.1855: Strengthens protections for patients regarding sexual misconduct by medical providers.

Senator Rivera wishes our Jewish neighbors a Chag Purim Sameach! May this be a joyous holiday celebration for everyone observing! 

TUESDAY 3/3: SENATOR RIVERA, NMIC, AND THE NYC FREE TAX PREP INITIATIVE HOST FREE TAX PREP AT SENATOR RIVERA'S DISTRICT OFFICE