New York state's primaries are held by law on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September before each general election. But this year that day is Sept. 11. So to keep the day free from politics and focused on higher things, Governor Cuomo signed a bill on May 21 moving the date to Sept. 13 this year.

The Office of the New York City Comptroller has released a report highlighting the distribution of wealth in the city, and comparing it to national patterns.

The state Department of Financial Services is investigating a type of insurance product that mortgage companies force on customers after they have let their standard home insurance policies lapse, because of financial hardship.

The State Academy for Public Administration (SAPA) has presented one of its 2012 "Public Service Excellence Awards for Outstanding Service to New York State" to Nonie Manion, director of the state's  Tax Audit Division. 

In a May 16 announcement, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the release of proposed regulations to limit spending for administrative costs and executive compensation at state-funded not-for-profit and for-profit service providers.

The New York Stock Exchange is getting a glamorous visitor: Sean Connery, the Scottish actor who became famous playing James Bond, will be ringing the opening bell on May 17. He'll be joined by Louise Richardson, principal of the University of St Andrews, Scotland.

New York state voters approved 96.4 percent of school district budgets on May 15, according to a statement from the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA), a membership organization of public school boards.

The House approved H.R. 1864, the "Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act," on May 15. The law would limit state taxation of the wages or other remuneration of any employee who performs duties in more than one state to the state of the employee’s residence, and the state in which the employee is present and performing employment duties for more than 30 days, according to the bill’s official summary.

An overwhelming number of New Yorkers want to see the New York state minimum wage raised from $7.25 to $8.50, according to a May 14 Siena Research Institute poll. Support crosses party and geographic lines.

Nancy R. Hernandez has been appointed Deputy Comptroller for Diversity Programs in the New York State Comptroller's Office, effective April 26. Previously, she was  a councilwoman and deputy supervisor for the Town of Colonie.