June 8, 2018. This article discusses the actions of government groups to encourage the state to make changes to economic development policy in order to increase transparency. They argue it is needed because of corruption trials related to economic development projects. They are calling for a database of deals and for the power of the Comptroller to review projects to be restored. The article notes that the Senate has passed these bills and they are waiting for the Assembly to do the same. The article goes on to note that the groups blame Governor Cuomo for the Assembly not making any decisions on these bills.
Government reform groups are urging the state Assembly to pass two bills that have already been approved in the Senate that would reform New York’s economic development programs. They say it’s needed more than ever on the eve of another federal corruption trial involving Governor Cuomo’s economic development programs.
Ron Deutsch, with Fiscal Policy Institute, says the measures would increase transparency by creating a data base of deals- listing details of all economic development projects that receive taxpayer money. Another bill would restore the state comptroller’s authority to independently review the projects .
Deutsch, making a football analogy, says the bill to restor the Comptroller’s oversight is like “adding a referee” , and the data base of all economic development projects gives taxpayers a “slow motion instant replay”.
“So you are able to see what’s going on,” Deutsch said.
Here is the link to WXXI News.