City of New York v. Wing

OPINION OF THE COURT

Bellacosa, J.

This is a longstanding fiscal controversy between the State and City of New York. It devolves to which of these entities is ultimately responsible for bearing the cost of Federal recoupment of millions of dollars of child foster care aid that was the subject of Federal audits finding substantial case mismanagement by the City. Large sums of money were disallowed by the Federal Government relating to a period from 1983 to 1985.

The core issue is whether New York State Social Services Law § 153-i may be applied retroactively to authorize the State to recoup the…