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Problems Caused by Outdated System
Left State's Unemployment Insurance
Program Vulnerable to Fraud

This week, State Comptroller DiNapoli released an examination of the NYS Department of Labor's (DOL) handling of unemployment insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic. His audit found that DOL’s outdated system left the State’s unemployment insurance program vulnerable to fraud and ultimately contributed to an estimated billions of dollars in improper payments. In light of the audit’s findings, Comptroller DiNapoli called on the department to recoup fraudulent payments and correct its mistakes.

New York City Agencies
Face Staffing Challenges

Attrition outpaces hiring among New York City’s municipal workforce, which could have an impact on critical City services and programs, according to a report released by State Comptroller DiNapoli. The report shows the City’s full-time workforce declined by 19,113 employees over the last two years, the largest decline in staffing since the Great Recession of 2008. Despite the City hiring over 40,000 new employees in the last fiscal year, City job vacancies stand at more than 21,000.

SOMOS Conference

State Comptroller DiNapoli recently attended the SOMOS Conference in Puerto Rico. The conference focused on issues critical to the Latino community and efforts to help Puerto Rico recover after devastating storms. Comptroller DiNapoli presented a proclamation to NYS Assemblywoman Maritza Davila, Chair of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, for her outstanding leadership.

Halfmoon Resident Allegedly Stole Deceased Mother's Pension Payments

State Comptroller DiNapoli, Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen, the New York State Police and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles announced Christmas Fish of Halfmoon, N.Y. has been charged with grand larceny for allegedly stealing nearly $13,000 of her deceased mother’s pension benefits.

Local Sales Tax Collections Grew by 14% in October

Local sales tax collections in New York state increased by 14.1% in October compared to the same month in 2021, according to an analysis released by State Comptroller DiNapoli. Overall, local collections totaled $1.75 billion, up $217 million compared to the same time last year.

Statement on New York City's November Budget Update

State Comptroller DiNapoli said, “The release of the City’s November 2022 Financial Plan update raises concerns about the City’s outyear budget gaps at a time of continued uncertainty. New sources of spending and revenue pressure highlight the missed opportunity to set aside additional monies in its Revenue Stabilization Fund in Fiscal Year 2022 when revenues significantly exceeded projections. A systematic approach to setting funds aside is critical." Read more

Report Finds Big Five School Districts' Use of Pandemic Aid Reflects Different Priorities

New York’s five largest school districts received $8.6 billion in federal pandemic relief funds, and an analysis by New York State Comptroller DiNapoli found sizeable differences in how school districts are using the funds. The New York City Department of Education plans to use a smaller share of the billions of dollars of its federal aid to help close pandemic learning gaps than other large school districts, both in New York and nationwide. The analysis looked at New York City, Yonkers, Buffalo, Syracuse and Rochester, the “Big Five” school districts in New York, as well as national peer school districts.

ALSO IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

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• Comptroller’s audit: State loses $11 billion in fraud after failing to fix outdated unemployment system

• There must be accountability for state unemployment insurance COVID fraud
• Our view: State Labor department clearly dropped the ball

• New York Overpaid $194 Million for Medicaid During the Pandemic, Comptroller Audit Finds

• Money pit MTA kept paying contractors despite poor reviews: audit

• Halfmoon woman accused of defrauding pension fund, not reporting mother's death

  Tweet of the Week
Tom DiNapoli @NYSComptroller