New York State spending is projected to grow significantly faster than revenues over the next four years, according to a report issued today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

DiNapoli notes that total State spending increased to $112.7 billion in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2006-07, an increase of 26.6 percent from SFY 2002-03 more than twice the rate of inflation. Spending is projected to grow 31 percent over the next four years while revenues are only projected to increase 21 percent.

State-funded debt is also projected to increase to nearly $64 billion in SFY 2011-12 from $51 billion in SFY 2006-07, an increase of 31 percent since SFY 2002-03. The increase will drive debt service costs to an estimated $7.1 billion from $5.1 billion. New York State is the second most indebted state behind California and has nearly twice as much debt as the third most indebted state.

The following is the report’s finding on the issue of transportation:

Data on the condition of highways and bridges, as provided by the State Department of Transportation, provide insight into the quality of infrastructure which is used daily by residents and businesses.

• The State is responsible for maintaining more than 42,000 lane miles of highway.
• The number of highway lane miles rated poor/fair has increased by 18.9% since 2002.
• In 2006, 62.5% of the State’s highways were rated good or excellent, a 6.0% decline since 2002.
• The State is responsible for maintaining more than 7,800 bridges, of which 29.3% were rated deficient in 2006 as compared to 27.4% in 2002, reflecting little change.
• The State’s 2006 percentage (29.3%) of deficient bridges compares to the nationwide percentage of 21.7%. A deficient rating means the bridge is either structurally or functionally deficient, but not a current safety threat.

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