For the second straight year, Governor Kathy Hochul has vetoed a spending transparency bill that would have required agencies to publish the details of a state contract when it’s exempt from approval by the state comptroller’s office.
In a memo accompanying the veto, the governor stated that the mandate would hinder the state’s ability to effectively respond in emergencies and could discourage companies from partnering with the state.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released the following statement over the weekend about the Governor’s veto:
“I am very disappointed the Governor vetoed our bill requiring more transparency and accountability for billions in emergency contracts and those that bypass routine oversight. Without public disclosure of how taxpayer money is being used, it raises questions about whether the public is getting the best value for its money. This legislation had unanimous support in both the Assembly and the Senate. We’ll work with our legislative sponsors, Senator Cooney and Assemblywoman Solages, to keep pushing for it and keep taxpayers informed about where their money is going. Transparent government is accountable government.”
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