New Yorkers pay some of the highest taxes in the country, while Albany continues to spend more every year.
Joseph Hernandez believes New York has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. As Comptroller, he will bring an independent set of eyes to state finances, challenge reckless spending, and make sure taxpayers are getting value for every dollar Albany takes from them.
Audit Spending and Rein In Albany
The Comptroller should be a check on Albany’s spending, not a rubber stamp for it.
Hernandez will aggressively audit state agencies, public authorities, programs, and major spending initiatives to identify waste, unnecessary costs, and programs that are failing to deliver results. He will scrutinize the state budget for excessive spending, hidden liabilities, unrealistic assumptions, and long-term obligations that put taxpayers at risk.
Before Albany asks New Yorkers for another dollar, the government should prove it is responsibly managing the dollars it already has.
Protect Taxpayers Before the Money Is Spent
The Comptroller has significant authority to review state contracts before taxpayer dollars go out the door. Hernandez will use that authority aggressively.
State contracts should be transparent, properly procured, financially justified, and deliver real value for New Yorkers. Questionable contracts, excessive costs, and wasteful spending should be challenged before the money is spent—not discovered years later in an audit.
Protect Property Taxpayers and Local Governments
Albany’s financial decisions ultimately affect county governments, municipalities, school districts, homeowners, and small businesses across New York.
Hernandez will protect the integrity of the property tax cap and work to reduce the financial pressures that drive local taxes higher. That includes strengthening pension performance, controlling unnecessary costs, and bringing greater discipline to state spending.