Transparency in Spending

This morning, our conference held a press conference on increasing transparency for lump sum pots of funding in the state budget. These areas account for $2.4 billion in taxpayer funds.

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco laid out the reasoning for his legislation in an accompanied press release.

When it comes to legislative earmarks, taxpayers, media and all elected officials have a right to be able to follow the money and know who ordered the pork. This ‘Truth in Spending’ law will have the most transparent set of guidelines for public spending and taxpayer budget allocations in the modern day history of New York.”

The “Truth in Spending bill would require all legislative earmarks be clearly outlined within the state budget for members, the public, and media to review at least three days before being voted on, publicly posting spending allocations, signed disclosure forms, memorandums of understanding and contracts online in an easy to read and analyze format on official New York State websites, and notification before the budget is passed and after the funds are distributed, detailing the purpose of the earmarks, who will receive the money, and which legislative districts are impacted, among other requirements.

Joining us for today’s press conference were Tim Hoefer of the Empire Center and Dick Dadey of Citizens United NY.

Mr. Hoefer would state in today’s press release, “Hard-working New Yorkers are entitled to know how, why, when and by whom their tax dollars are being spent. The ‘Truth in Spending’ Act would lift the veil of secrecy that continues to cover much of the pork barrel allocation process in Albany, making it easier for taxpayers to hold elected officials more accountable for their decisions,”

Assemblymen Marc Butler and Peter Lopez addressed today’s press conference as well.

Don’t miss a thing! Make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to our Youtube Channel.