New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced on June 10 that his office completed audits of several school districts statewide, including the Elmont Union Free School District. The audit was initiated by the state nearly one year ago. Auditors found that Elmont’s Board of Education inappropriately delegated the discretionary functions of approving purchase orders, journal entries and wire transfers to its business consultant, Tom Galante. Thus, Galante was responsible for approving all district purchases, including the purchase of his own services. more

My last column, “Stop playing games with the budget deficit” (Feb. 3) was written one week before New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli issued his analysis of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive budget draft. The irrationality I outlined fell short of anticipating the following mea-culpa expressed in the comptroller’s analysis. “The SFY 2010-2011 enacted budget relied on $16.7 billion in non-recurring or temporary budget resources; and overly optimistic tax revenue projections, causing a dramatically worsened state structural deficit.” How dramatic? These tenuous entries constituted 30 percent of all the monies in the state’s operating fund. more

Just work it out. That’s the advice Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos has offered County Executive Ed Mangano and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which are at a standstill … more

Following reports that the Long Island Power Authority spent an estimated $30 million on Hurricane Earl, leaving customers to potentially face a rate increase, New York State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. and other area lawmakers requested this past week that State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli conduct an audit of LIPA’s handling of the situation. more

While Nassau County residents are paying some of the highest taxes in the nation, Comptroller Howard Weitzman has done his part to ease the burden somewhat. During the past eight years Weitzman has shown that he is a competent financial watchdog, and has looked for savings in places no one before him ever tried. more

George Maragos, CEO of a financial services business, is challenging two-term incumbent Howard Weitzman in the race for Nassau County comptroller. Maragos said that the county’s finances have been poorly managed for the past eight years, and he believes his experience can bring needed change. more

The public is invited to the League of Women Voters' candidates forum on Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, 1125 Broadway, Hewlett. Details... more