The New York comptroller says Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget plan for the coming year holds spending down while giving his administration new latitude on how to use billions of dollars.

Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says the state’s general fund is projected to end this year with a $7.8 billion balance.

He says the administration’s budget proposal for the year starting April 1 “continues this positive momentum by boosting reserves, investing in infrastructure and easing the property tax burden.”

Also, DiNapoli says a proposed new projects fund could get some of the nearly $5.7 billion in settlements with banks accused of inappropriate overseas trading. But money could be used for virtually any purpose including operational costs.

He notes the absence of estimates for state aid to individual public school districts and less transparency and accountability in some other areas.

(AP)