Selected reports and information published by New York State's Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli during the week ending December 27, 2014

Selected reports and information published by New York State's Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli during the week ending December 27, 2014

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DiNapoli: New Yorkers Foot the Bill for Billions in Public Authority Spending and Debt

Spending by New York’s largest public authorities jumped $3.5 billion since last reported in 2013, with state and local authorities reporting nearly $60 billion in spending in their latest annual filings, according to a report released Tuesday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Meanwhile, the combined debt of state and local authorities topped a quarter of a trillion dollars.

DiNapoli: Cohocton Town Clerk Pleads Guilty in $36,000 Theft Former Cohocton Town Clerk Sandra Riley pleaded guilty in Steuben County Court Monday to stealing $36,000 in dog license and building permit fees after an audit and investigation by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s office revealed the theft of public funds.

DiNapoli Consumer Alert: Contribute to a 529 College Savings Account and Deduct up to $10,000 From Your State Taxes

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Tuesday reminded New Yorkers that contributions to a New York State 529 College Savings Program account are tax deductible. New York’s 529 College Savings Program, an investment tool designed to help parents save for college, ranks among the best in the nation, and New York is one of a handful of states that offer state tax relief.

DiNapoli Releases November State Cash Report State tax collections through the first eight months of the state fiscal year totaled $41.8 billion, $242.2 million higher than projected in the latest Financial Plan update, according to the November cash report released Monday by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The state has also collected nearly $4.1 billion of the $5.5 billion expected from financial settlements since the budget was enacted, which is approximately $3.8 billion more than anticipated.

Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Municipal Audits New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Tuesday announced his office completed audits of the:

Town of Broome, 
Candor Fire District,  
County of Clinton Industrial Development Agency,  
Dutchess County,  
Genesee County, 
Georgetown Fire District, 
Greene County, 
Hewlett Bay Fire District, 
Long Lake Fire District No. 1, 
Town of Milford,  
New Woodstock Fire District,  
Town of Pierrepont, and the 
City and Town of Poughkeepsie Joint Water Project.

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Aide to Governor Cuomo's letter to State Regents Chancellor and State Education Commissioner seeks suggestions to improve the State's education system

Aide to Governor Cuomo's letter to State Regents Chancellor and State Education Commissioner seeks suggestions to improve the State's education system

Source: Hornell New York The Evening Tribune [Updated Dec 24, 2014]

An article appearing in the Hornell [NY] Evening Times captioned “Cuomo aide: Teacher reforms top governor's agenda,” by Al Bruce reports that “A letter sent to high-ranking state education officials last week by a top aide to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo" seeks suggestions to improve the State's primary and secondary education operations.

The article indicates that “The three-page letter, although addressed to State Regents Chancellor Dr. Merryl H. Tisch and State Education Commissioner Dr. John B. King Jr., was distributed to superintendents of some member districts of Boards of Cooperative Education Services. Dr. James J. Malatras, director of state operations, asked the questions in the letter" dated December 18, 2014.

Mr. Bruce's article, which includes a number of the questions posed by Dr. Malatras, is posted on the Internet at:

http://www.eveningtribune.com/article/20141224/NEWS/141229841
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Court review of an interim order of an arbitrator

Court review of an interim order of an arbitrator

Kramer v Geldwert, 2014 NY Slip Op 08732, Appellate Division, First Department

Supreme Court denied the petitioner’s motion for discovery in aid of arbitration and dismissed the matter. The Appellate Division unanimously affirmed the lower court’s ruling.

The Appellate Division explained that although in exceptional circumstances, pre-hearing discovery pursuant to CPLR 3102(c) may be ordered after the demand for arbitration has been made, a court may not review the interim orders of an arbitrator.

Thus, concluded the Appellate Division, judicial review of procedural rulings made in the arbitration giving rise to this arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association is barred’

The decision is posted on the Internet at:

http://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/3dseries/2014/2014_08732.htm