Executive

New York State's official involvement in labor issues began in 1883 when the Bureau of Labor Statistics was created (Chapter 356) to gather information and prepare an annual statistical report on the State's labor force. The State began regulatory activity in labor and industrial affairs in 1886 (Chapter 409) with the establishment of the Office of Factory Inspector (expanded to the Department of Factory Inspection in 1887) to enforce laws regulating the employment of children in factories, and the Board of Mediation and Arbitration, to assist in the settlement of labor disputes.

The origins of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can be traced back to 1901 (Chapter 531), when the legislature required all owners of automobiles or motor vehicles to register with the office of the secretary of state, identifying themselves and their vehicles. Two years later certain motor vehicle operators were required to obtain licenses from the secretary of state's office (Chapter 625). Examinations were instituted for chauffeurs in 1910 (Chapter 374); in 1919 for New York City drivers (Chapter 472); and in 1924 for all drivers (Chapter 360).

The office of secretary of state was inherited from the colonial period during which the secretary of the Province of New Netherland and the secretary of the Colony of New York acted as clerks to the governor's council and maintained the records of the colonial governments. Although neither the first State constitution of 1777 nor any statute specifically created the office within State government, the Council of Appointment appointed a secretary of state in 1778.

In the colonial and early statehood periods, public health issues were handled by localities, if addressed at all. On a few occasions, the legislature was involved in establishing quarantine regulations, particularly for New York City. In 1832, the legislature required all port cities, villages, and villages along the canal to appoint health officers and establish health boards. A more general public health law was passed in 1850, requiring all towns, villages, and cities (except the cities of New York and Brooklyn) to set up health boards and designate public health officers.

The office of the State Engineer and Surveyor was established by the State Constitution of 1846. The office replaced the office of the Surveyor General, assuming its duties as well as responsibility for surveying and engineering work not required by the former officer but which became increasingly important in ensuing years. Under the terms of the Constitution, the State Engineer and Surveyor was to be elected (at a general election) for a term of two years.

State administration of higher education began in 1784 (Chapter 51) with the creation of the Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York to act as the governing body of Columbia College, which had been founded in 1754 as King's College. Three years later the Regents were relieved of direct operating responsibility for Columbia College and were authorized instead to charter and supervise it along with any new colleges and academies.

The New York State Thruway was built to accommodate the huge post-war increase in motor vehicle traffic, particularly trucking; to encourage recreational travel; and to anticipate defense needs. Planning began in 1942. Groundbreaking at five sites along the route took place in 1946. Initially the Department of Public Works, drawing on state general capital construction funds, was responsible for the project. This arrangement proved to be a tremendous drain on state funds.

The Workmen's Compensation Commission was established under the Workmen's Compensation Act of 1913 (Chapter 816), requiring employers to compensate employees disabled by industrial accidents or occupational diseases. Employers subject to the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Act were required to establish a self-insurance program, to provide disability insurance through a commercial carrier, or to contribute to the State Insurance Fund, which was also established in 1913.

During the first half of the twentieth century, public-employee organizations were established to seek job security and other benefits for government employees. Although strikes by public employees were proscribed by common law, a series of municipal employee strikes after World War II led to enactment of the Condon-Wadlin Act in 1947 (Chapter 391), establishing penalties for striking public employees. Three years later an executive order was issued that guaranteed State employees the right to join employee organizations and created a grievance procedure.

The Office of Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) was initially established in 2005 by Executive order 140.1 and then established by statute (L. 2006 Ch. 442) as an independent entity within the New York State Department of Health to create a more efficient and accountable structure, dramatically reorganize and streamline the state's process of detecting and combating Medicaid fraud and abuse, and maximize the recoupment of improper Medicaid payments.