From a statement by the office of State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli:

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s auditors prevented more than $3.4 million in workers’ compensation overpayments during calendar year 2010 according to a report released today.  DiNapoli’s auditors serve onsite at the Workers Compensation Board and audit payments made out of the five funds used to pay certain workers’ wage compensation and medical claims. During the last four years, the Comptroller’s staff saved the state more than $65 million by preventing board overpayments.

“These payments impact the workers’ compensation rates paid by every business in the state,” DiNapoli said.  “The board has made progress over the years to reduce payment errors. But in this economic climate, businesses can’t afford any government mistakes.”

This year Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) will host two workshops for local firefighters interested in applying for federal fire grant funding through the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS).   At the workshop, participants are invited to learn first-hand from a DHS Fire Grant Specialist how to put together a qualifying application.  All applications are then submitted to DHS and go through a non-partisan, merit based review ranked by factors established by a panel of fire service professionals. 

“The federal fire grant process is highly competitive and will get more so as resources become limited,” said Higgins, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee.  “Our workshops give local firefighters the best opportunity to try to bring these federal dollars home.”’

On Wednesday, March 30 Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27), a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security Committees, met with United States Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to discuss the Peace Bridge project in Western New York. 

Congressman Higgins released the following statement detailing the meeting:

“Yesterday I had the opportunity to sit with Transportation Secretary LaHood and share with him directly how critically important the Peace Bridge is to integrating Western New York’s economy with booming Southern Ontario, relaying the essential link this project provides to jobs and growth at our educational, cultural, sports, airports, medical and retail destinations.   

“There is a new level of commitment from the federal government never before seen on the Peace Bridge project.  Secretary LaHood, his staff and the Administration are informed and engaged with a clear understanding of how important this project is for