Wall Street doled out $20 billion in bonuses in 2009

The New York state comptroller says Wall Street bonuses rose 17 percent to more than $20 billion in 2009, the year after taxpayers bailed out the financial sector.

Thomas DiNapoli says total compensation at the largest securities firms grew beyond that figure. He says profits could surpass what he calls an unprecedented $55 billion last year.

The Democrat says that's nearly three times Wall Street's record increase. The rate of growth was boosted in part by the record losses in 2008 of nearly $43 billion.

DiNapoli reviews tax collections each year. He bases his annual projection of Wall Street bonuses on income and other taxes paid in New York City.

DiNapoli says the bonuses help state revenues tremendously, but are a "bitter pill" to most taxpayers nationwide.