Just a few days ago, Governor Cuomo signed into law the “Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011,” a significant step toward restoring the public’s trust in government.
As I have stated previously, the ethics reform legislation creates unprecedented government transparency.
It also establishes an independent, bipartisan Commission on Public Ethics with strong enforcement powers to investigate violations of law by elected officials—as well as oversee lobbyists with newly expanded disclosure rules.
The new ethics reform law should help re-establish Albany’s reputation.
However, there are other reform measures which can help put a real polish on New York State’s character.
ResultsNY.gov Website. The senate passed legislation (S.3657) to create a new website, ResultsNY.gov, which would enable the public to review the performance of government programs to see how effectively agencies are spending tax dollars.
By creating a one-stop shop, New Yorkers would be able to learn more about public policy issues, government programs and initiatives.
The website would also help ensure that all state government agencies remain fully focused on performance and producing measurable results.
ResultsNY.gov would provide information about specific indicators to help the public determine how individual government programs are performing regionally and nationally in critical subject areas including the economy, education, public safety, energy, health, housing and the environment.
Perhaps the best part, the website would also include an interactive feature that would enable members of the public to submit suggestions and recommendations on how to save taxpayer money, help eliminate wasteful spending and operate government more efficiently and cost effectively.
Initiative and Referendum. The senate passed a constitutional amendment that would give New Yorkers a more direct role in the legislative process by empowering them to enact and amend laws through initiative and referendum.
The bill (S.709) increases the ability of New Yorkers to place an issue on the ballot for a public vote.
The reform measure would give people the ability to directly decide on ideas that have strong public support, yet have not been acted on by their governments.
Under the proposal, signatures from five percent of the total voters statewide in the last gubernatorial election would be required to place an item on the ballot.
Once on the ballot, an initiative or referendum would become law if it receives a majority of the votes cast.
A measure enacted through initiative and referendum could not be repealed or amended by the legislature for at least two years, and any modifications after that period could only be made with voter approval.
Approximately one-half of states across the nation have some form of initiative and referendum.
The senate also approved legislation aimed at helping local governments save money, and in turn, provide savings to taxpayers.
The first bill (S.5525B) would allow local governments to cooperatively purchase, or piggy-back, on contracts already approved for other government agencies, including those of other states or the federal government.
The same terms and conditions of a contract already awarded would apply and there is a provision in the legislation to ensure that competitive bidding standards consistent with state law must have been used.
The senate also approved a measure that provides localities with unprecedented flexibility and cost savings in all taxpayer funded purchases and contracts.
Under the measure (S.4133A), contract bids can be submitted electronically, allowing for faster, transparent and more efficient communication between vendors and public officials.
It also allows a local government to work with other localities, state governments and federal governments to gain better prices for any goods or services.
While maintaining existing competitive bid and wage requirements, this legislation provides transparency and economies of scale savings to government procurement.
While I am pleased the ethics reform legislation has been signed into law, I am hopeful these additional government reform measures will be taken up by the assembly and sent on to the governor as well so that New York can make additional strides.
