Adjusted Executive
Appropriation Request Percent
2000-01 2001-02 Change Change
AGENCY SUMMARY
General Fund 11,992,000 13,139,000 1,147,000 9.56%
Special Rev.-Fed. 2,941,000 2,900,000 (41,000) -1.39%
Special Rev.-Other 70,000 70,000 0 0.00%
Fiduciary 20,000 20,000 0 0.00%
Total for AGENCY SUMMARY: 15,023,000 16,129,000 1,106,000 7.36%
STATE OPERATIONS
General Fund 11,992,000 13,139,000 1,147,000 9.56%
Special Rev.-Fed. 2,941,000 2,900,000 (41,000) -1.39%
Special Rev.-Other 70,000 70,000 0 0.00%
Fiduciary 20,000 20,000 0 0.00%
Total for STATE OPERATIONS: 15,023,000 16,129,000 1,106,000 7.36%
Administration
General Fund 5,311,000 6,028,000 717,000 13.50%
Special Rev.-Other 70,000 70,000 0 0.00%
Fiduciary 20,000 20,000 0 0.00%
Total for Program: 5,401,000 6,118,000 717,000 13.28%
Legal Enforcement
General Fund 1,254,000 1,423,000 169,000 13.48%
Total for Program: 1,254,000 1,423,000 169,000 13.48%
Regional Affairs
General Fund 5,427,000 5,688,000 261,000 4.81%
Special Rev.-Fed. 2,941,000 2,900,000 (41,000) -1.39%
Total for Program: 8,368,000 8,588,000 220,000 2.63%
ALL FUNDS PERSONNEL
BUDGETED FILL LEVELS
Current Requested
Program 2000-01 2001-02 Change
Administration 43 45 2
Legal Enforcement 25 27 2
Regional Affairs 123 128 5
Total General Fund : 158 167 9
Total All Other Funds : 33 33 0
TOTAL: 191 200 9
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
(Executive Budget: pp.151-153)
The Division of Human Rights is the State agency responsible for the
administration and enforcement of the New York State Human Rights Law. This law
prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation and other
areas on account of race, creed, color, age, national origin, sex, disability,
marital status, previous arrest or conviction (in employment), familial status
(in housing) and other specified classes. The Division accomplishes this
mission through: the investigation and resolution of discrimination complaints;
the promotion of human rights awareness through education, conciliation and
other measures; and the development and articulation of human rights through
outreach to community groups.
The Division's main office is located in New York City. The agency also
operates from nine regional offices, located in Albany, Binghamton, Brooklyn,
Buffalo, Long Island, Lower Manhattan, Upper Manhattan, Rochester and White
Plains and two satellite offices on Long Island and in Syracuse.
This agency is included in the Health, Mental Hygiene and Environmental
Conservation appropriation bill.
State Operations
In State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2001-02, the Executive recommends an All Funds agency
appropriation of $16,129,000 for the Division. This appropriation reflects a
net increase of $1,106,000 above the current fiscal year. The Governor
proposes a net General Fund increase of $1,147,000, the major portion of which
is related to a new $1,000,000 initiative to reduce the Division's complaint
backlog. This increase will support nine new positions and related non-personal
service costs, as well as additional resources to upgrade the case tracking
system. Other General Fund increases include $239,000 for increased rent
payments resulting from the relocation of the Lower Manhattan Regional Office to
Maiden Lane and inflationary adjustments, and $108,000 for negotiated salary
increases. These increases are offset by a $200,000 reduction for non-recurring
expenses related to case tracking.
The Division continues to be involved in ongoing litigation, NOW v. Pataki, in
which the plaintiff has alleged that the time needed to process individual
complaints due to the extensive caseload backlog fails to provide petitioners
with adequate protection of their human rights. In November 1999, the Court
ruled in favor of the plaintiff. The State is appealing that decision. In the
interim, the backlog that had stood at 16,000 cases five years ago, now stands
at 10,500 cases.