State, Department of
skip breadcrumbs| All amounts are in dollars |
| Category | Available 2007-08 |
Appropriations Recommended 2008-09 |
Change From 2007-08 |
Reappropriations Recommended 2008-09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Operations | 73,738,000 | 80,766,000 | 7,028,000 | 37,652,400 |
| Aid To Localities | 101,298,490 | 76,815,000 | -24,483,490 | 123,778,000 |
| Capital Projects | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39,304,000 |
| Total | 175,036,490 | 157,581,000 | -17,455,490 | 200,734,400 |
| Full-Time Equivalent Positions (FTE) |
| Program | 2007-08 Estimated FTEs 03/31/08 |
2008-09 Estimated FTEs 03/31/09 |
FTE Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administration | |||
| General Fund | 63 | 63 | 0 |
| Lake George Park Commission | |||
| Special Revenue Funds - Other | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| Law Revision Commission | |||
| General Fund | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Licensing Services | |||
| Special Revenue Funds - Other | 403 | 423 | 20 |
| Local Government and Community Services | |||
| General Fund | 133 | 133 | 0 |
| Special Revenue Funds - Federal | 58 | 58 | 0 |
| Special Revenue Funds - Other | 205 | 220 | 15 |
| Tug Hill Commission | |||
| General Fund | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| Total | 889 | 927 | 38 |
Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/22/08.
Mission
Established in 1788, the Department of State (DOS) is the State's oldest agency. Historically serving as the State's general recording officer and custodian of the State's “Great Seal”, the Department's mission has grown to include a broad range of activities that coordinate programs with, and provide services to, local governments and businesses. The Department protects public safety by managing arson investigation, fire prevention, building and energy code programs; administers programs for community development and local government service activities; and supports businesses through various licensing and registration activities.
Budget Highlights
The Executive Budget recommends $157.6 million All Funds ($22.6 million General Fund; $135 million Other Funds) for the Department of State. This is a net decrease of $17.5 million All Funds from the 2007-08 budget. This net change results from the elimination of $19.4 million in nonrecurring program additions offset by continued growth in the Business and Licensing Program, appropriations for the New York State Commission on Uniform State Laws and the Law Revision Commission, and the elimination of funding for the State Ethics Commission which was merged into the Commission on Public Integrity in accordance with Chapter 14 of the Laws of 2007, as well as other adjustments.
The Executive Budget recommends a staffing level of 927 FTEs for the Department of State, an increase of 15 from the 2007-08 budget. This net change primarily reflects a decrease in staff resulting from the merger of the State Ethics Commission into the Commission on Public Integrity offset by new hires for Indigent Defense, the Law Revision Commission and licensing enforcement.
Major budget actions include:
- Licensing Enforcement: The addition of 19 new FTEs, at a cost of $1.4 million, to increase compliance with new and existing business licensing requirements on a statewide basis.
- Indigent Defense: $3 million to fund a new program to assess and oversee the efficacy of indigent legal defense across the State. The program will collect and analyze data, provide training, and implement various initiatives to ensure that the rights of indigent defendants are adequately protected and represented in the State's legal system. Additionally, this program would provide $1 million to fund civil legal service grants through a competitive bidding process. Funding for this program includes the hiring of 15 additional FTE's
2008-09 Executive Budget — Agency Presentation
State, Department of (PDF)