State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Examines Challenges Facing Higher Education

 

A new report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli highlights the challenges New York’s higher education sector is facing, including a looming enrollment cliff, growing costs of attendance, and rising student debt. The report examines both public and private institutions of higher education.

“New York has a robust higher education sector that attracts students and investment to our colleges and universities, which benefits our state and local economies,” DiNapoli said. “Declining enrollment over the last decade has already hurt the finances of several public and private institutions, forcing a few to downsize or close their doors. New York’s future depends on our institutions of higher education staying competitive by ensuring they are affordable, are diverse, and nurture a spirit of innovation and community in their students.”

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Meeting with Labor Representatives

and Honoring International Women's Day

Over the past week, Comptroller DiNapoli joined Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine at his State of the Borough address, met with labor representatives from higher education and construction, and spoke to the need for greater diversity and representation of women in finance as part of a panel marking International Women's Day, which is celebrated on March 8.

Comptroller DiNapoli joined a panel discussion at PGIM to celebrate International Women's Day. To his right is Lori McEvoy, Managing Director, Jennison Associates. Comptroller DiNapoli attended the Manhattan Borough President's State of the Borough address. From left to right: Councilmember Shaun Abreu, Assemblymember Grace Lee, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Comptroller DiNapoli, Assemblymember Alex Bores.   Comptroller DiNapoli with United University Professions (UUP) President Frederick E. Kowal at UUP's Legislative Reception in Albany. Comptroller DiNapoli with Santos Rodriguez, Director of Community Affairs & Strategic Initiatives, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, after speaking to the group about NYC finances and infrastructure projects at their annual meeting.

Comptroller DiNapoli and Business Council's Heather Briccetti Mulligan Op-Ed: NY's Tax Base Dips with Population

The New York Daily News published an op-ed from State Comptroller DiNapoli and President and CEO of the Business Council of New York State Heather Briccetti Mulligan on the importance of keeping New York an attractive and affordable place to live and do business.

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Former Utica City School District Superintendent Pleads Guilty to Public Corruption

State Comptroller DiNapoli, Oneida County District Attorney Todd Carville, and the New York State Police announced long-time superintendent of the Utica City School District, Bruce Karam, pleaded guilty to the felony charge of public corruption for using taxpayer funds to help support a political campaign relating to the 2021 Utica City School Board election and a non-school related fundraiser. As part of the plea agreement, he will serve five years of probation, pay restitution of $12,000, complete 250 hours of community service and agreed to a consent order to reduce his pension benefits.

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Comptroller DiNapoli Reaffirms Commitment to DEI Initiatives

State Comptroller DiNapoli, trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund, announced various initiatives to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues at portfolio companies, including filing shareholder proposals at Tesla Inc., Wells Fargo and Co., Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., and United Health Group Inc. DiNapoli’s actions come as corporate DEI initiatives are under attack, and reports that some companies are scaling back DEI efforts.

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Comptroller DiNapoli's Statement on the SEC's Adoption of Climate Change Disclosure Rule

State Comptroller DiNapoli said, “This is a significant victory for investors who are committed to mitigating the real investment risks associated with climate change."

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State Contract and Payment Actions in January

In January, the Office of the State Comptroller approved 1,493 contracts for State agencies and public authorities valued at $3.7 billion and approved nearly 1.9 million payments worth nearly $13.7 billion. The office rejected 165 contracts and related transactions valued at $4.3 billion and nearly 850 payments valued at more than $18.5 million, primarily for mistakes, insufficient support for charges, and improper payments. More information on these contracts and payments is available at Open Book New York.

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Audits

• Office of General Services
• Empire State Development
• Office of Mental Health
• Department of Labor
• Department of Health

Municipal & School Audits

• Peconic Bay Community Preservation Fund
• Canajoharie Volunteer Fire Department
• Bellmore Union Free School District
• Town of Cobleskill
• Chateaugay Central School District 
• Brushton-Moira Central School District
• Questar III Board of Cooperative Educational Services

ALSO IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

_{Note: Some news links may require a paid subscription.} 

• Buffalo Next: For many, even Buffalo Niagara's lower housing costs are a burden
  
  
• Former Utica school superintendent and past mayor admit to using taxpayer money for political campaigns
  
  
• DiNapoli defends DEI benefits, fires off letter to 5 companies seeking disclosure

Post of the Week
Tom DiNapoli @NYSComptroller 

DEC Announces Mild Weather Spurs Early Start to Annual Salamander and Frog Migration in Hudson Valley

 

16th Annual Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Project Underway

Volunteers Advised to Put Safety First While Helping Amphibians Cross the Road

Annual Migration of Vernal Pool Amphibians Captured on DEC’s Facebook Live Video Here

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that the breeding migrations of vernal pool amphibians got an early start this year due to weather conditions, and 167 volunteers throughout the Hudson Valley braved the rain to document the emergence. Volunteers document the seasonal migration and help salamanders and frogs travel safely as part of DEC's annual Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Project.

 

"The Hudson Valley is home to remarkable amphibian diversity and during this time of year, road mortality poses a significant threat to salamanders and frogs migrating from forests to vernal pools for breeding," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "DEC is grateful to the dedicated volunteers ready to assist amphibians attempting road crossings during their annual migrations. I encourage all New Yorkers and visitors traveling the state's roads to be on the lookout for these vulnerable amphibians and the dedicated volunteers keeping them safe."

 

The Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings (AM&RC) Project was initiated by DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University to raise awareness about critical amphibian habitat, engage volunteers to help collect data on the annual migration, and reduce amphibian road mortality. More than 1,000 volunteers have participated in the effort since 2009, helping to move more than 40,000 salamanders, frogs, and toads safely across roads.

 

In late winter and early spring, amphibian species like wood frog (Lithobates sylvatica), spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), and Jefferson-blue spotted salamander complex (Ambystoma jeffersonianum x laterale) emerge from underground shelters in the forest and head to vernal pools for breeding. Vernal pools are small, temporary wetlands that are critical breeding habitat for these amphibians. The pools hold water until summer, so the adult amphibians must gather, breed, and deposit eggs early enough to ensure their aquatic young can hatch, grow, and leave the pools before they dry up.

The timing of migration is weather-dependent with concentrated activity on the first rainy nights of the season, when the ground is thawed and night air temperatures remain above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The timing of migration varies throughout the Hudson River estuary watershed, but when weather conditions are just right, there can be explosive "big night" migrations with hundreds of amphibians on the move. On their journeys between forest habitat and breeding pools, these amphibians often need to cross roads, where mortality can be high even when traffic is low.

 

With the mild winter and recent warm days, recent rainfall triggered one of the earliest migrations DEC has observed since the AM&RC project started in 2009. Volunteers already counted more than 2,000 amphibians since Feb. 27, mostly wood frogs and spring peepers. DEC expects more migration this week, including the appearance of salamanders that breed in vernal pools.

 

Project volunteers document road locations where they observe migrations in the Hudson Valley, record weather and traffic conditions, and identify and count amphibians on the move. Volunteers also carefully help the amphibians safely cross roads. Since the project started, volunteers have documented 20 species and counted more than 47,000 live amphibians and 20,000 migrating amphibians killed by passing vehicles. Species reported most frequently during migration nights include spotted salamander, wood frog, and spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer). To a lesser degree, volunteers have also observed Jefferson-blue spotted salamander complex and four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum), two species of conservation concern in New York.

 

Safety is paramount, and project volunteers are advised to take all necessary precautions. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear reflective safety vests and headlamps to increase visibility on dark roads and should not interfere with passing vehicles. Amphibian safety is also important, and frogs and salamanders should be handled carefully with clean hands, free of hand sanitizer, lotion, and other substances that can be toxic to amphibians' porous skin.

With such a large geographic area to cover, the AM&RC project benefits greatly from the support of local partners who assist with coordinating volunteers in their communities. This year, partners include Climate Smart Rhinebeck, Hudson Highlands Land Trust, Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, Saw Kill Watershed Community, Teatown Lake Reservation, Town of Bedford Conservation Board, Town of Lloyd Environmental Conservation Council, Town of Pound Ridge Conservation Board, Vassar College, and Wallkill Valley Land Trust.

 

For more information, including a short video about amphibian migrations, visit DEC's website. DEC held in-person and virtual trainings for volunteers in February with 144 participants. New Yorkers interested in volunteering to participate in this annual event are encouraged to watch a series of training videos on YouTube and read the Volunteer Handbook (PDF). In addition, potential volunteers can access a recording of the training and use materials available on the project website to learn more. Anyone interested in receiving project updates and news about the migration can subscribe to the project e-newsletter through DEC Delivers.

 

DEC supports programs like the Amphibian Migration and Road Crossings Project to connect people to nature; educate about the importance of wetlands and healthy, connected forests; and encourage proactive conservation planning that prevents habitat fragmentation. Forests are carbon storage and sequestration powerhouses, making them an invaluable tool in New York's nation-leading fight against climate change. The program is also critical for maintaining the state's rich diversity of plants and animals, and especially the vernal pool breeding amphibians that are of conservation concern throughout their Northeast range.

 

Project volunteers are encouraged to use the hashtag #amphibianmigrationhv in their photos and posts on social media.

GrowNYC Volunteer Newsletter

 

GrowNYC Volunteer Newsletter

Hello Beloved GrowNYC Volunteers,

Thank you so much for volunteering your time and energy with GrowNYC, we truly appreciate your efforts in furthering our mission! I would like to bring our new Volunteer Feedback Form to your attention. Use this form to provide us with the following:

• Communicate feedback and share details about your experience volunteering with GrowNYC.

• Share ideas about we can improve your volunteer experience.

• Uplift and share experiences you had with the GrowNYC staff you interacted with while volunteering.

Fill out the Volunteer Feedback Form and let us know, please send me an email if you have any suggestions, questions or concerns!

Best,

Corey Wilkins

Lead Individual Volunteer Program Manager

Register for our March Virtual Volunteer Orientation

What's new: Interested in volunteering with GrowNYC? Join our online orientation where our Volunteer Program Manager will provide information about GrowNYC, local agriculture and food access, safety protocols, as well as current and upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Orientation is open to all, however, GrowNYC volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. The volunteer orientation is required to participate in our volunteer opportunities.

• Upcoming virtual orientation: Friday, March 15th, 5pm - 6pm (sign up)

Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Ned, our spotlight volunteer of the month! Read the interview below to learn more about Ned.

1. How long have you been volunteering with GrowNYC?

I started volunteering with GrowNYC in late 2022, and it became one of my regular activities in the summer of 2023.

2. Tell us about yourself, what interests you and how do you spend your time?

I love learning about foodways, urban infrastructure and local history. I got a bike last fall, and have been enjoying exploring bike trails around and outside the city. I also just started taking mandolin lessons at a folk music school nearby.

3. Why did you decide to volunteer with GrowNYC?

When I moved to New York, I was thrilled to learn about food scrap the drop off at greenmarkets. I was looking for communities and groups to join, and thought it made perfect sense to volunteer with a service that I make ample use of. I've volunteered regularly at an urban farm in another city, and missed being among people who think deeply about food production. Also, this is the biggest city I've ever lived in and I was curious to learn about waste management in NYC.

4. What has been your favorite moment/memory volunteering with GrowNYC so far?

I so enjoy chatting with the GrowNYC staff and other volunteers at my regular site! It's hard to pick a memory of one particular conversation, but they're all so fun, wide-ranging and thought-provoking. It's also always fun to chat with food scrap dropoff regulars in the neighborhood, and to get to know the neighborhood dogs.

Stop 'N' Swap® Volunteer Opportunities

Stop 'N' Swaps® encourage reuse, build community, and reduce the waste NYC sends to landfills. By volunteering you will create an opportunity for people to share things they no longer need instead of throwing them away, and find things they do want without manufacturing, packaging, or transportation.

• As a volunteer, you will help receive, sort, and display the gently used items that people bring. You might also help keep areas neat, take pictures, or help promote some of the other great work this GrowNYC Zero Waste Program does!
  
  Saturday, March 16th - Brooklyn
  PS 9 The Sarah Smith Garnet School
  80 Underhill Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
  10:30am-4:30pm (sign up)
  
  Saturday, March 23rd - Manhattan
  St Mary's Church
  521 W 126th St, New York, NY 10027
  
  10:30am-4:30pm (sign up)

Sign up for the Stop 'N' Swap® Newsletter for updates on upcoming events!

Compost Volunteer Opportunities

Food scrap collection allows New Yorkers to take part in waste reduction and turn their food waste into compost to grow food and care for New York City parks and trees.

• As we await potential changes to our composting operation Food Scrap Drop Off volunteer opportunities will be posted on a bi weekly basis. Please do not hesitate to contact Cwilkins@grownyc.org if you have any questions

Volunteer Opportunities Include

Manhattan:
E 96th Street GM - Fridays (sign up)

97th Street GM - Fridays (sign up)

Columbia Uni GM - Sundays (sign up)

79th Street GM - Sundays (sign up)

Brooklyn:
Cortelyou (Flatbush) GM - Sundays (sign up)

7th Ave Sunset Park GM - Saturdays (sign up)

Bed-Stuy Farmstand - Fridays (sign up)

Fort Greene GM - Saturdays (sign up)

Grand Army Plaza GM - Saturdays (sign up)

Queens:
Jackson Heights GM - Sundays (sign up)

Forest Hills GM - Sundays (sign up)

Greenmarket Cooking Demonstration Volunteer Opportunities

Share your passion for cooking at the Greenmarket! Be in the mix by volunteering at your local Greenmarket helping the market manager with cooking demonstrations, promotional activities, customer support, farmer support, and more!

Queens:
Jackson Heights GM - Sundays (sign up)

Manhattan:
Inwood Gm - Saturdays (sign up)

Greenmarket Volunteer Opportunities

These events are outdoors, rain or shine. Please dress for the weather and bring a reusable water bottle! Sign up for one or more opportunities at the following Greenmarkets (GM):

Manhattan:
Columbia Uni GM - Sundays (sign up)

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer With GreenThumb’s Help a Garden Grow Program

GreenThumb community gardens are developed, led, and cared for by dedicated volunteer gardeners who critically upkeep them as public green spaces. This workday will support various projects at 400 Montauk Community Garden and help kickstart their growing season!

You can use this link to view a list of dates and time to volunteer at the 400 Montauk Community Garden. Please do not hesitate to contact Kyleen Sanchez (Kyleen.Sanchez@parks.nyc.gov) with any questions about GreenThumb volunteer opportunities!