Hochul Vetoes Crucial Transparency, Local Democracy, and Money Laundering Bills
In 2025, Reinvent Albany submitted Memos of Support and Opposition to 87 state bills. Nine of these bills ultimately passed the Legislature and were sent to the Governor. Most important to Reinvent Albany were the FOIL Timing Bill (S2520-B), the LLC Transparency Act Amendment (A8662-A), and the Ballot Bumping Bill (S590-A) – all of which were vetoed by Governor Hochul. These three bills would have significantly improved New York’s government transparency, efforts to curb global money laundering and tax evasion through shell companies, and the ability of local legislators to directly change city government through Charter amendments.
The Governor did take some actions supported by Reinvent Albany, including vetoing a bill requiring two-person subway operations and signing the “ERIC” bill authorizing NY to share voter roll data with other states.
Governor’s decision opposed or supported by Reinvent Albany.
Transparency and Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
- S2520-B (Skoufis) / A3425-A (Raga) – Reduces time the public must wait to appeal FOIL delays and denials. Vetoed by Governor.
- S67 (Skoufis) / A6613 (McDonald) – Clarifies FOIL regarding redactions. Vetoed by Governor.
Keeps Mayors from “Bumping” City Council Charter Commissions
- S590-A (Krueger) / A3665-A (Simone) – Ends the ability of mayors in New York’s 62 cities to bump city council charter commissions off the ballot. Vetoed by Governor.
Anti-Corruption
- A8662-A (Gallagher) / S8432 (Hoylman-Sigal) – Protects NY’s LLC Transparency Act from being undermined by federal changes. Vetoed by Governor.
Voting and Campaign Finance
- S1356-A (Skoufis) / A3649-B (Taylor) – Authorizes NY to share voter roll data with other states by joining the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). Signed by Governor.
- S1030 (Gonzalez) / A3415 (McDonald) – Clarifies that an Independent Expenditure’s website must include a “paid for by” statement. Signed by Governor.
Authorities and MTA (opposed by Reinvent Albany)
- A4873 (Chandler-Waterman) / S4091 (Parker) – Prohibits the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) from using one-person train operation (OPTO). Vetoed by Governor (as requested by Reinvent Albany).
- S7785 (Bailey) / A8842 (Benedetto)– Exempts Co-op City from automated bus line enforcement. Vetoed by Governor (as requested by Reinvent Albany).
- S6815 (Comrie) / A8292 (Cunningham)– Exempts MTA workers on duty from automated bus lane enforcement. Signed by Governor, with chapter amendments.