Robert Megna has served two governors as the top official at the state Division of Budget. He'll now be serving a third.
Megna, a longtime fixture in New York state government, will serve as Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget director, her office on Monday announced.
Hochul indicated the move will be a short-term one for Megna, who is currently the president of the Rockefeller Institute of Government and senior advisor to the chancellor of the State University of New York.
Hochul is turning to Megna with one month to go before the state budget is expected to pass on April 1. Megna has previously served as budget director for Gov. David Paterson and Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He has also served as the commissioner of the Department of Taxation and Finance and the executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority.
"Bob brings a wealth of experience and knowledge built over his multi-decade career in New York State government, and I am grateful for his commitment to public service and his leadership during this crucial time," Gov. Hochul said. "It is imperative that we continue to make New York safer, more affordable and more livable, and I know Bob's expertise will help us move these critical priorities forward. I am deeply thankful for the work of Acting Budget Director Sandra Beattie, who did an excellent job preparing the Executive Budget Proposal, and the entire hardworking team at the Division of the Budget."
Megna is also expected to assist with the search for a long-term replacement before he returns to his job at SUNY.
Megna replaces Robert Mujica, a holdover from Cuomo's time in office, who departed to become a financial official for Puerto Rico.