Finch backs bill to increase economic development transparency
ALBANY – Local Assemblyman Gary Finch (R-Springport) is joining a group of legislators in a push for economic development transparency in New York State.
Finch, along with other legislators, held a press conference Monday to unveil details of a plan to reform the state’s economic development procedures by increasing transparency and oversight.
“Our tax dollars should not double as thank you gifts for politically-connected developers and donors,” said Finch. “Federal and state investigators are parsing a tangled web of lobbyists and developers whose cash and connections gave them inside access to incredibly lucrative contracts. We don’t believe that is the right way to do business, and neither do the taxpayers we’re here to protect.”
The bill would empower the comptroller, attorney general and director of the Division of the Budget to oversee projects funded by lump-sum budget allocations. The three-member panel would also be required to screen all projects for any ethical issues or conflicts of interest.
Moreover, the bill would levy penalties against executive agencies that miss reporting deadlines. Finch said that currently, the administration’s report on the efficacy of the START-UP New York program is 65 days late. The heads of these agencies, as well as the governor, would see their salaries withheld until they submit required reports.
“Taxpayers aren’t just allowed to ignore deadlines. The government asks its citizens to pay taxes by a certain date. The government requires people to renew important licenses by a certain date. We don’t want the administration to send the message to taxpayers that the government is somehow above its own laws and regulations,” Finch said.
Finch, along with other legislators, held a press conference Monday to unveil details of a plan to reform the state’s economic development procedures by increasing transparency and oversight.
“Our tax dollars should not double as thank you gifts for politically-connected developers and donors,” said Finch. “Federal and state investigators are parsing a tangled web of lobbyists and developers whose cash and connections gave them inside access to incredibly lucrative contracts. We don’t believe that is the right way to do business, and neither do the taxpayers we’re here to protect.”
The bill would empower the comptroller, attorney general and director of the Division of the Budget to oversee projects funded by lump-sum budget allocations. The three-member panel would also be required to screen all projects for any ethical issues or conflicts of interest.
Moreover, the bill would levy penalties against executive agencies that miss reporting deadlines. Finch said that currently, the administration’s report on the efficacy of the START-UP New York program is 65 days late. The heads of these agencies, as well as the governor, would see their salaries withheld until they submit required reports.
“Taxpayers aren’t just allowed to ignore deadlines. The government asks its citizens to pay taxes by a certain date. The government requires people to renew important licenses by a certain date. We don’t want the administration to send the message to taxpayers that the government is somehow above its own laws and regulations,” Finch said.
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