A new report says New York's public authorities are spending more even as they avoid significant oversight.
The study from state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli identified some "troublesome" issues at several public authorities — which DiNapoli called "shadow governments" because they spend public money but are subject to less public accountability than other government entities.
DiNapoli says New York's 1,180 public authorities reported $60 billion in spending in the most recent annual reports — $3.5 billion more than the previous year.
DiNapoli noted some recent problems, including the Port Authority's role in George Washington Bridge closures in 2013 and the Thruway Authority's murky response to questions about tolls on the new Tappan Zee Bridge.
The comptroller says Tuesday these recent episodes show greater accountability is needed.
