Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
State Comptroller DiNapoli’s Hispanic Heritage Month event was a celebration of the rich cultural contributions and achievements of the Hispanic and Latino communities in New York. The event, held in New Rochelle on Tuesday, served as an opportunity to recognize the vital role Hispanic and Latino individuals play in shaping the State’s economy, culture and society.
Honorees were:
• José Alvarado, Westchester County Legislator District 17
• Yadira Ramos-Herbert, Mayor, City of New Rochelle
• Maria Kercado, President Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), Westchester Chapter, AFL-CIO and Executive Vice President, Retired 1199 SEIU, UHWE
• El Centro Hispano, Inc.
“We can see the influence of the growing Hispanic community everywhere we look. Just under a third of the immigrants in the State are of Hispanic descent. By highlighting stories of success and community leadership we honor the diversity and resilience of our communities while reaffirming our commitment to fostering inclusivity and equity for all New Yorkers. Their success is a continued reminder of the lasting impact Hispanic individuals and communities have had on our country,” DiNapoli said.
Supporting Community Banking in
Historically Underserved Communities
State Comptroller DiNapoli and Department of Financial Services Superintendent Harris announced the approval of Community District 9 as a Banking Development District (BDD) and presented $35 million in New York State deposits to Ponce Bank’s Westchester Avenue Branch. The BDD program, administered by the Department of Financial Services, supports the establishment of bank and credit union branches in areas across the State where there is a demonstrated need for banking services.
“We are proud to provide $35 million in public funding to Ponce Bank to improve community banking in the Soundview, Parkchester and Castle Hill neighborhoods of the Bronx,” DiNapoli said. “This is a smart, sound investment to ensure more financial services are available to help increase access to capital, supporting personal wealth, home ownership, entrepreneurship and jobs.”
As of September 17, 2024, the State Comptroller’s office had deposits totaling approximately $530.3 million in 14 banking institutions that have opened branches in BDDs across the State. Banks can apply for the program through the Department of Financial Services.
The State Education Department (SED) needs to improve its oversight and work to remove barriers to ensure school districts are providing the required services for students learning English, according to an audit released by State Comptroller DiNapoli. The audit examined whether SED was adequately overseeing if school districts outside New York City were providing the required services to English Language Learners.
Local sales tax collections in New York State increased by 3.8% in August compared to the same month in 2023, according to data released by State Comptroller DiNapoli. Overall, local collections totaled $1.85 billion for the month, up $68 million year over year.
A 69-year-old Manhattan man, Randy Ray, was arrested for allegedly stealing more than $50,000 in pension benefits meant for his deceased sister-in-law, State Comptroller DiNapoli announced.
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