A coalition of progressive organizations, good-government groups and labor unions is making a final push this week to complete the passage of a series of measures meant to strengthen transparency in economic development programs in New York.
The measures, backed by organizations like New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness and the watchdog group Reinvent Albany, include the restoration of the state comptroller's oversight of state contracts worth more than $85,000 as well as a total end to the Opportunity Zone Tax Breaks, which have fallen under scrutiny.
Previously approved in the state Senate, the bills are yet to be taken up in the state Assembly. The chamber earlier this year approved new transparency requirements for the Empire State Development Authority’s Community Advisory Councils.
But the advocates argue more work is needed.
"This is a good start, and we urge you to keep passing more common sense measures to bring transparency and accountability to the $5 billion a year New York state taxpayers spend subsidizing large corporations," the groups wrote in a letter to the Assembly. "It is time for the Assembly to end the irrational state tax breaks for wealthy real estate investors in federal Opportunity Zones, and restore the Comptroller’s contract review power."
They are also seeking an end to non-disclosure agreements in state contracting as well as a measure meant to provide more independence to the Public Authorities Control Board's voting structure.