State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News - NYC Health + Hospitals Costs for Temp Staff Remain Elevated

 

NYC Health + Hospitals Costs for Temp Staff Remain Elevated

New York City Health + Hospitals (H+H) spent $168 million more than projected on temporary staff, despite hiring over 1,660 new nurses in City fiscal year 2024, according to a report released by State Comptroller DiNapoli.

“The COVID-19 pandemic led to a major nurse shortage nationwide and in New York City, but Health + Hospitals has taken important and meaningful steps recently to recruit and retain more nurses,” DiNapoli said. “The number of full-time nurses at H+H now exceeds pre-pandemic levels, but temporary staff costs are still elevated. Further hiring and training are needed for H+H to achieve its fiscal targets and provide quality health care to all New Yorkers.”

Read More

State Pension Fund Valued at $274.6 Billion at End of Second Quarter

State Comptroller DiNapoli announced that the estimated value of the New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund) was $274.6 billion at the end of the second quarter of State Fiscal Year 2024-25. For the three-month period ending Sept. 30, 2024, Fund investments returned an estimated 4.15%.

Read More

State Comptroller DiNapoli and Ulster County Executive Metzger Announce Findings of Gulnick Investigation

A forensic examination and investigation of former Ulster County Commissioner of Finance Burton Gulnick Jr. found no evidence of any crimes committed by Gulnick while he served in his government role, but did find weaknesses in county procedures that could leave it vulnerable to fraud, State Comptroller DiNapoli said.

Read More

Local Sales Tax Collections Up 2.3% in October

Local sales tax collections in New York State increased by 2.3% in October compared to the same month in 2023, according to data released by State Comptroller DiNapoli. Overall, local collections totaled $1.84 billion for the month, up $41 million year over year.

Read More

DiNapoli Statement on NYC's 2025 Budget Modification

"New York City’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget modification raises current year spending to $115 billion, primarily reflecting the addition of federal and State grants to the plan. While outyear gaps are virtually unchanged, the City anticipates lower costs for asylum seekers due to a steadily declining population, as well as lower pension and debt service spending, in the current year. Business income tax revenue remains strong, as economic growth continues, albeit more slowly than in recent years," Comptroller DiNapoli said.

Read More

Former Durhamville Fire Department Treasurer Arrested for Allegedly Stealing Over $92,000

A former treasurer of the Durhamville Fire Department was arrested for allegedly stealing over $92,000 from the Department over a seven-year period, State Comptroller DiNapoli and the New York State Police announced.

Read More

Municipal & School Audits

• Edgemont Union Free School District
• Town of Albion
• Caledonia Joint Fire District
• City of Lockport
• Otisco Fire District

ALSO IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

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

• DiNapoli's audit questions billions of dollars in NY's home health care program

• We can save ourselves by saving our farms

• State Comptroller: Local Fire Department Treasurer Arrested for Stealing Thousands of Dollars

• H+H went $168M over budget on travel staff despite full-time nurse staffing spree

• Comptroller report shows New York unemployment payouts, workers' comp, lag most states

• New York faces bilingual teacher shortage amid higher en­rollment

Post of the Week
Thomas P. DiNapoli

NYS OFFICE OF FAITH AND NONPROFIT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ANNOUNCES $2.3M AVAILABLE FOR ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL TECHNOLOGIES

Grant Funding Will Help Address the Need for Emerging Technology in Communities Across the State 

The New York State Office of Faith and Nonprofit Development Services announced that approximately $2.3 million in grant funding is now available for faith-based and not-for-profit organizations to improve public access to essential technologies. Interested organizations can apply for this grant funding to turn available spaces into community resource rooms where community members can use computers, Wi-Fi, audio/video equipment and other technologies for a variety of health, education, career and social services. Applications are due on January 10, 2025.

“As technology has evolved to touch every part of our lives, we must be sure New Yorkers can find resources readily available in their communities to solve tasks in a simple and efficient way,” said Caura Washington, Director, Office of Faith and Nonprofit Development Services. “These grants will make the difference for New York residents who are ready to go to their local and friendly organizations to look for help with technology services.”

“After partnering with the Office of Faith and Nonprofit Development services through the 62-county tour, the New York State Interfaith Council believes that this grant directly addresses some of the needs identified by county leaders across our state,” said Rev. A. R. Bernard President of the New York State Interfaith Council and Pastor of Christian Cultural Center. “By providing funding to Community Resource Rooms, communities across our state will be enhanced reaching across racial demographics, socioeconomic differentiation, educational backgrounds, and the urban-rural divide. Technological advancement levels the playing field for all.”  

Through this Request for Proposals, the Office of Faith and Nonprofit Development Services is aiming to assist local community faith-based and not-for-profit organizations address the need of emerging technology challenges in communities around the state. The goal of this grant is to tap into the available space and resources faith-based and non-profit organizations have to enhance the ability to meet the community’s technology needs. The grants will allow these organizations to further break down barriers for people in need of technology services including telehealth appointments, career advance services, remote educational opportunities, social services applications and other computer service needs.

This grant opportunity will fund up to 46 awards of no more than $50,000. These grants will be awarded in the 10 Economic Development Regions across New York State. The Request for Application and more information is available online at https://dos.ny.gov/funding-bid-opportunities.

Organizations planning to solicit funds must be a domestic corporation and must be:

• Incorporated under the Religious Corporations Law or a charitable corporation incorporated under the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law,
• Pre-qualified within the Statewide Financial System (SFS) as of the application due date,
• Described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code, and
• Having a physical location within the Region for which they are applying that is accessible to the public. 

All applicants are required to demonstrate the organization’s ability to provide an appropriate space, and the capacity to manage room scheduling and ensure public access.

Questions regarding this competitive grant program must be submitted in writing and received on or before December 2, 2024. Questions should be sent via email to dos.sm.procurement@dos.ny.gov with the subject line “OFNDS Community Resource Room RFA #24-OFNDS-42.”

About the Office of Faith and Nonprofit Development Services

Since its creation in November of 2023, the New York State Office of Faith & Nonprofit Development Services (OFNDS) has stood as a beacon of support and resources for faith-based and not-for-profit organizations across the State. At its core, OFNDS seeks to empower faith-based and not-for-profit organizations by providing essential information, facilitating access to state grants, and enhancing organizational capacities. More information is available on the OFNDS website.

Attorney General James Reminds New Yorkers that Selling Pets in Retail Stores Will be Illegal

Law Banning Sale of Pets in Retail Stores Going into Effect on December 15, Retail Pet Stores Selling Dogs, Cats, or Rabbits Could Face Up to $1,000 Per Violation

New York Attorney General Letitia James reminded licensed pet dealers with retail stores that selling dogs, cats, and rabbits will be illegal in New York starting on December 15. The pet sale ban is intended to stop dangerous large-scale breeding operations known as “puppy mills,” where animals are often mistreated and suffer from serious health issues. Puppy mills often misrepresent the health of the animals they breed and send retail stores sick pets that then cost families thousands of dollars in veterinary care. Retail pet stores that continue to sell pets after December 15 can face penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. New Yorkers can still adopt pets from duly incorporated humane societies, animal rescues, or licensed breeders.

“Bringing a new pet into a family should be a time of excitement and joy, but often animals from ‘puppy mills’ suffer from serious medical issues and leave families heartbroken over their sick pet and with a heavy bill to pay,” said Attorney General James. “This pet sale ban will help put an end to the dangerous puppy mill to pet store pipeline that endangers pets and costs New Yorkers thousands of dollars in veterinary care. New Yorkers interested in adding a furry friend to their family can still adopt a pet at a human society, animal rescue, or a licensed breeder.”

The Puppy Mill Pipeline Act, co-sponsored by Senator Michael Gianaris and Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, prohibits retail pet shops from selling, leasing, or transferring ownership of dogs, cats, or rabbits. Pet stores may still partner with registered, nonprofit animal rescue organizations to showcase animals available for adoption. The law allows pet stores to collect reasonable rental fees from rescue groups for space to showcase pets for adoption. Violators of the Puppy Mill Pipeline Act may be subject to enforcement action by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), which could include penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. 

Earlier this year, Attorney General James secured $300,000 from a Long Island pet store, Shake A Paw, for hundreds of consumers who were illegally and unknowingly sold sick puppies. An OAG investigation revealed that Shake A Paw falsely advertised sick pets as healthy, failed to disclose the animals’ legitimate medical conditions, misrepresented puppies’ breeds, and refused to reimburse consumers for veterinary bills they incurred because the dogs they purchased were sick. The illnesses and congenital defects in these animals were found to be consistent with puppies that are purchased from puppy mills.