Leading Transparency and Budget Watchdogs Call Again on Governor to Take Lead on Clean Contracting and Pay to Play Reforms

Today in Albany, leading watchdog groups released a letter to Governor Cuomo asking him to include Clean Contracting reforms in any special session to renew 421-a real estate tax abatements. The groups also discussed the lack of of urgency or progress in fixing the structural problems that led to the State’s historic bid rigging scandal.

Governor Andrew Cuomo
New York State Capitol Building
Albany, New York 12224

November 14, 2016

Re: Renew public confidence in state government, include Clean Contracting reforms in special session to renew 421-a.

Dear Governor Cuomo,

We write to ask you to include Clean Contracting reforms and controls on pay to play as part of the special session you are calling to renew 421-a real estate tax abatements.

Over the last few weeks you have talked about the need to restore the public’s trust in New York’s scandal-scarred state government. We agree, and the place to start is with fundamental changes to how the state awards over a billion dollars a year in economic development contracts.

The public has not forgotten that in September, high-level officials in State government were arrested for rigging economic development contracts worth more than $780 million—nor can you.

Any credible attempt to restore the public trust in state government must include major reforms that give the public confidence that the state’s economic development spending is clean and accountable. Real reform is up to you. This stunning bid-rigging scandal took place within the executive branch, and as governor you can implement many major Clean Contracting reforms on your own through instructions to your appointees, through your budget, and more formally via executive orders. However, we urge you to use your power to propose and champion legislation, so that these changes are codified in law.