State Comptroller DiNapoli AnalyzesPost-Pandemic Tourism Across NYS
Tourism in New York State has grown post-pandemic but employment in tourism-related industries remains 4.3% below pre-pandemic levels, according to an analysis released by State Comptroller DiNapoli. The report found strong increases in domestic and international travelers to the State. In particular, visitors flocked to outdoor destinations, with attendance at State parks 9.1% higher in 2023 than 2020.
This is DiNapoli’s third report on the tourism industry after the abrupt shutdown caused by the pandemic in 2020. During the pandemic, New York lost $10.9 billion in economic activity from travel and tourism, but by 2023, had fully recovered, and was $792 million higher than in 2019. In a report released in May, DiNapoli found that tourism-related industries in New York City were nearly at a complete recovery, as visitor spending and tax revenue have surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
“Travelers from around the world are drawn to all corners of the State and keep coming back because they fall in love with New York. Tourism generates tens of billions in economic activity and employs many New Yorkers across the State,” DiNapoli said. “New York is welcoming back tourists in big numbers after the pandemic, but the recovery is uneven, with some regions lagging. I encourage policymakers to review these trends and ensure the State’s tourism programs are effectively promoting the unique experiences each region of the State has to offer.”
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Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Procurement Stewardship Act Report
The Procurement Stewardship Act Report is prepared annually by the Office of the New York State Comptroller. The Report provides information on State agency contracts, agency purchases from centralized contracts, bid protests, and consultant reporting during State Fiscal Year 2023-24. Through March 31, 2024, over 56,000 contracts are active, totaling more than $800 billion. In State Fiscal Year 2023-2024, OSC reviewed over 25,000 contracts totaling approximately $220 billion.
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LIRR Ridership Is Recovering but Service Improvement Must Remain a Priority
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is making a steady recovery from the pandemic with growing ridership, increased service routes into the Grand Central Madison terminal and on-time performance in 2023 that was better than in 2019. Still, the LIRR had 31% more delays from train car problems last year than in 2019, showing there are still areas that can improve as ridership returns, a new report from State Comptroller DiNapoli shows.
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Village of Candor Mayor Arrested for Allegedly Stealing From the Village
State Comptroller DiNapoli and the New York State Police announced the arrest of Village of Candor Mayor Eric Halstead for stealing from the village’s General Fund.
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Municipal & School Audits
- Ardsley Union Free School District – Financial Management
- Rye City School District – Payroll
- Half Hollow Hills Central School District – Information Technology Equipment Inventory Records
- Greater Southern Tier Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) – Capital Assets
- Town of Gorham – Budgeting
- Town of Gorham – Procurement
- Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts – Non-Payroll Disbursements
- Farmingdale Union Free School District – Payroll
- Village of Herkimer – Audit Follow Up
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LIRR delays caused by car problems up 31%, state report says
Tioga County Mayor Accused of Corruption and Stealing Thousands
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Tom DiNapoli @NYSComptroller
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