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During the Dutch colonial period, government revenue was derived primarily from customs duties and excise taxes. When these sources proved insufficient, the colony fell back on voluntary contributions, but as early as 1654 the home government also granted the colony permission to tax land and livestock directly. There was little change in the tax structure during the British colonial period.

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 earliest predecessor to this department was the Dutch colonial office of schout-fiscal, which combined the functions of auditor, sheriff, and attorney general. Later, British colonial authorities appointed an attorney general as chief law enforcement officer of New York.

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 State University Construction Fund was established as a public benefit corporation in 1962 (Chapter 251) to reduce the time between inception and completion of new facilities for SUNY campuses. The fund was to be guided by the assumption that SUNY's enrollment would more than double in the next ten years. Before the fund was created, construction of SUNY facilities was chiefly the responsibility of the Department of Public Works with the Division of the Budget closely monitoring expenditures.