A collection of good-government organizations and fiscal watchdog groups on Tuesday released a letter raising concerns with how the state budget could make it harder for the state comptroller's office to track spending. ​

The letter points to a measure in the budget plan that broadens what are known as "refunds of appropriation." At the moment, the practice provides that if the state is refunded money from a vendor due to overpayment or error, the spending authority is restored that money.

But the budget proposal would expand this practice to include reimbursements from third parties and when the state is paid for providing a service. But rather than record expenses related to reimbursements, the change would require the comptroller's office to assume the spending and reimbursement never occurred.

This provision would make speeding for particular appropriations less clear, they argue.

Another provision would have the governor's budget office transfer funding from state operations to any department, agency or public authority -- language found on more than 100 appropriations. The move would allow the governor to override legislatively approved funding allocations by shifting funds after the budget is approved.

"We call on you to reject both of these proposals so that the state’s spending is transparent and accurate and the Comptroller’s Office retains its independent constitutional authority to utilize best practices in monitoring state revenues and expenditures and the legislature can preserve its authority in the budget making process," the letter states.

Signing onto the letter included Reinvent Albany, the Citizens Budget Commission, Common Cause, the Fiscal Policy Institute and the League of Women Voters.