New York’s governor and state lawmakers dished out $120 million for local projects favored by state lawmakers through the state Dormitory Authority in the last twelve months, according to data posted today on SeeThroughNY.net, the Empire Center’s government transparency website. Read More
New York's spending on public elementary and secondary education hit a new all-time high of $24,040 per pupil during the 2017-18 school year, topping all other states in the latest U.S. Census annual data. Read More
As Governor Cuomo pleads for financial help from Washington, one of his state's programs is sitting on $3 billion in unspent federal aid: the Essential Plan. Read More
The full toll of the coronavirus pandemic in New York is likely thousands higher than the official death tallies, according to newly released federal data. Read More
Maximum eligible pension benefits for retirees of the New York City Employees Retirement System (NYCERS) increased by $135 million in 2019 over the previous year, even though some payments to retired corrections officers were left out of the data for the first time, according to data posted today at SeeThroughNY.net, the Empire Center’s transparency website. Read More
Looking ahead, state officials must begin now to take seven essential steps for promoting the recovery and renewal of New York’s economy. Read More
The Cuomo administration has gotten around to sharing detailed estimates of the pandemic's impact on the state budget enacted almost a month ago—but the latest update from the Division of the Budget (DOB) raises about as many questions as it answers. Read More
In a sign of pandemic-related strain on state finances, the Cuomo administration is postponing a series of multi-billion-dollar Medicaid payments over the next three months. Read More