October 5, 2022
Groups Say Independent Contract Oversight Is Essential to Protecting Public Funds
Eight unions and 27 organizations sent a memo of support today urging Governor Hochul to sign S6809-A/A7925-A (Reichlin-Melnick/Zebrowski), which restores many of the State Comptroller’s contract oversight powers. District Council 37, CWA District 1, AFSCME, and NYSUT were among those calling on the Governor to sign the bill, which the legislature passed in June.
The groups noted in the memo that Comptroller review takes an average of 5.8 days and does not significantly slow down the procurement process. According to the Comptroller’s “2020 State Contracts by the Numbers” report, 92% of reviews are completed in 15 days or less.
Many of the Comptroller’s contract review powers were removed through budget legislation pushed through by Governor Cuomo in 2011 and 2012. The Buffalo Billion bid-rigging scandal occurred shortly after in 2015, leading to the conviction of several major Cuomo allies and donors on corruption-related charges.
The memo is found here.