The New York State Comptroller

Thomas P. DiNapoli is the current Comptroller (54^th Comptroller). He has been the Comptroller since 2007. Something interesting about DiNapoli is that he become the first eighteen years old in New York State to hold public office, he has elected as a trustee of the Mineola Board of Education. DiNapoli is known for his “integrity, independence and steadfast leadership” (Biography).

The State Comptroller is the “fiscal officer who ensures that the State and local governments use taxpayer money effectively and efficiently to promote the common good” (Responsibilities).  The “common good” includes the public authorities (like for example infrastructure). The responsibilities of the Comptroller include reporting on state finances, managing and issuing State debt, reviewing State contracts and payments, conducting audits, overseeing the fiscal affairs of local government (including New York City), maintains the State’s accounting system and administering the payroll (app. $15 billion), and trains and provides technical support to improve government operations at al levels (Responsibilities).

Some other interesting responsibilities that the State Comptroller are that acting as sole trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund ($176.8 billion), which is a newer duty as of March 31, 2014 and the Oversees the Justice Court Fund and Oil Spill Fund. Also, the State Comptroller is in charge of the unclaimed funds and making sure those funds get to their owner. On the Office of the State Comptroller website there is even a place were you can see if there is unclaimed funds in your name (or organization) and feel free at check at https://ouf.osc.state.ny.us/ouf/.  

One of DiNapoli’s goal is more transparency and accountably. One way he plans providing this to the people of New York is the Open Book (I was unable to actually get on the website but there is a link to a video). The Open Book let’s people look at where their tax money is going and can see state contracts as well.  This should also help with making people more informed and hold their officials more accountably.

Video link about open book: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/openbook/obvideo.htm

Sources:

Biography. Office of the State Comptroller. Retrieved from http://www.osc.state.ny.us/about/bio.htm

Responsibilities. Office of the State Comptroller. Retrieved from http://www.osc.state.ny.us/about/response.htm