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Senator Pam Helming announced Wednesday that the New York State Senate recently passed a package of legislation, which includes two bills that she co-sponsors. These measures would help ensure taxpayer money is invested wisely, prevent conflicts of interest, enhance transparency, and increase the accountability of public officials.

"Our government is meant to be of the people, by the people, and for the people, but it cannot be so if the people cannot trust in their government. New York State has unfortunately become known for corruption and wasting the people's money while stifling honest, fair economic development and job creation. This package of legislation will end those practices and give the people a reason to believe in our government. Additionally, it would stimulate private investment and development by creating a level playing field for all who want to participate. I am grateful to my Senate colleagues for supporting these critical measures, and I am hopeful that the Assembly and the Governor will see the need for this much-needed reform," Helming said.

Both bills passed the Senate with bipartisan support. One measure (S3984A) enhances the integrity, transparency, and accountability of the state's procurement process by restoring the State Comptroller's independent oversight of SUNY, CUNY, and Office of General Services contracts. It also expands the Comptroller's oversight of the procurement process to include contracts of more than $1 million awarded by the SUNY Research Foundation, and it prohibits state contracting through state-affiliated, non-profit organizations unless explicitly authorized by law.

The Comptroller has traditionally performed this essential oversight function, but in recent years, the Comptroller's ability to do so has been diminished. This has allowed state agencies and authorities to circumvent longstanding checks and balances and funnel billions of taxpayer dollars to third-party entities created by the agencies or authorities. It has also allowed billions in state funding to be spent under contracts without independent review.

Another measure (S5985A) requires the preparation of an annual report for START-UP NY that would be provided to the Governor and the Legislature. The report would include, but not be limited to, the number of business applicants, number of businesses approved, benefits distributed and received, and the number of net new jobs created per business. It would also include cumulative data that reflects the amount previously recorded and adjusted for net new jobs that have been lost.

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