State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News - More New Yorkers Facing Food Insecurity

 

More New Yorkers Facing Food Insecurity

Food prices in the New York City metropolitan area have risen 25.2% since 2019 and low-income households are paying substantially more toward food than before the pandemic, according to a report by Comptroller DiNapoli.

“My office is keeping a close eye on what is driving affordability issues in the city and state, and it has not escaped anyone that higher food costs have hit household budgets in New York City hard, with price increases outpacing income growth,” DiNapoli said. “Food prices rose sharply during the pandemic, putting more New Yorkers at risk of going hungry. Now the implementation of tariffs and potential cuts to federal food and other support programs may exacerbate the problem. State and local efforts to promote access to high quality, affordable food are more important than ever to reduce food insecurity and ensure New York’s families have enough to eat.”

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DiNapoli Releases Analysis of Federal Funding for New York City

New York City’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 operating budget relies on $7.4 billion in federal government funding, accounting for 6.4% of total spending, according to a series of briefs released by Comptroller DiNapoli. DiNapoli’s office estimates that recent federal government actions to cut grant programs could jeopardize at least $535 million of federal aid in FY 2025 and FY 2026, but notes that nearly all federal operating aid that flows to the city could be subject to cuts or elimination. 

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Comptroller DiNapoli Statement on New York City's Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget

“New York City’s proposed budget increases anticipated spending to more than $118 billion in FY 2026, fueled by about $1.7 billion in additional spending to maintain current service levels for students, seniors, parks, sanitation, and healthcare given recent demand," DiNapoli said. 

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Local Sales Tax Collections Total $5.8 Billion, Up 3.2% in First Quarter

Local government sales tax collections totaled $5.8 billion in the first quarter (January-March) of 2025, an increase of 3.2% ($180 million) compared to the same quarter last year. Each of the 10 regions in the state, including New York City, had a year-over-year increase in collections, according to a report released by Comptroller DiNapoli. This marked the second straight year that first quarter growth was below the pre-pandemic average of 3.5%.

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Audits

• Department of Motor Vehicles
• New York City Department of Transportation
• Metropolitan Transportation Authority
• Empire State Development
• Hudson River–Black River Regulating District

Join Comptroller DiNapoli in Celebrating

Public servants at the State Comptroller’s office impact New Yorkers’ daily lives.

This Sunday begins Public Service Recognition Week. Follow Comptroller DiNapoli on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to meet the teams that make up our office and learn how their work promotes accountability, transparency and fiscal responsibility in government.

ALSO IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

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• Food prices in NYC soared over last decade, outpacing income growth
  
  
• Rising Food Costs And Federal Cuts Threaten to Deepen Hunger Crisis
  
  
• New York's nonprofit sector sees decline in employment
  
  
• Artificial intelligence is faster than government. That has to change.
  
  
• Westchester County and NY State Comptroller DiNapoli Put $4.7 Million in Residents’ Pockets

Post of the Week
Office of the NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli

2025 VAN NEST NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE (VNNA)–MAY 7–MONTHLY MEETING—7:00PM

 

VAN NEST NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025

7:00 PM

MONSIGNOR FIORENTINO APTS

1830 AMETHYST STREET

GROUND FLOOR, COMMUNITY ROOM

BRONX, NY 10462

BRING A FRIEND! BRING A NEIGHBOR!

Snapchat User Charged In Interstate Scheme To Lure Minors Into Producing Sexually Explicit Material

 Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of a Complaint charging BRIAN LIAM FULLERTON with three counts of sexual exploitation of a child. FULLERTON was arrested and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court.  

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “As alleged, Brian Fullerton used Snapchat and other social media applications to manipulate and exploit numerous minor victims. We will deploy every resource at our disposal to protect the most vulnerable among us, and we will prosecute those who prey on our children to the fullest extent of the law.” 

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said: “Brian Fullerton allegedly directed several female minors to record and perform sexual acts, while requiring secrecy upon learning the victims’ underage status. The defendant allegedly engaged in unlawful sexual communications and induced the repeated production of explicit content, violating the victims’ privacy and preying upon their innocence. The FBI remains determined to apprehend any individual who sexually exploits minors to fulfill their perverted gratification.”

As alleged in the Complaint:[1] 

From as early as September 2022, FULLERTON used social messaging applications, including Snapchat, to prey on victims as young as 14 years old. FULLERTON got these victims to send him sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves. Among those FULLERTON targeted was a 14-year-old minor (“Victim-3”), from whom FULLERTON obtained several sexually explicit videos and to whom FULLERTON sent sexually explicit text messages, writing, among other things, “I wish you lived in New York, so I can f*** you for real … You want to be bred by a man three times your age you dirty little girl … I scrolled to make sure my face wasn’t in any pics don’t need them seeing how old I am ;).”

Any individuals with information concerning FULLERTON and any individuals who may have encountered someone using the Snapchat username “lomax518,” the Instagram username “BRADSMITH4187,” the Kik username “lomax518,” or the TikTok username “bradsddysza,” please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or https://tips.fbi.gov.

FULLERTON, 46, of Mahopac, New York, is charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a child, each of which carries a 15-year mandatory minimum and a 30-year maximum sentence.

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge. 

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. 

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmi Schickler is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.