BILL NUMBER:S401

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the executive law, in relation to monthly meetings between the
governor and the legislature
to allow the legislature to ask questions of the governor relating
to matters concerning the state

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To require that the governor shall
meet regularly with the assembly and with the senate, to publicly
answer questions from members of each house pertaining to the
strategic direction, financial status, and general governance of the
state.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: -Provides that once each odd-numbered month, from January
through June or during the regular legislative session, and on a
regular or special session day, at the invitation of the speaker and
minority leader of the assembly, and upon agreement by the speaker
and the governor as to the date and time, the governor shall, for no
less than one hour, publicly answer questions pertaining to the
strategic direction, financial status, and general governance of the
state from members of the assembly in the assembly chamber. The
percentage of time allotted for questions from members of the majority
              

and the minority parties shall be based on the percentage of
representation of each party in the assembly. The speaker and the
minority leader shall determine, for the time allotted to each, which
members of the assembly shall ask questions and the order in which
the questions shall be asked.

Provides that once each even-numbered month, from January through
June or during the regular legislative session, and on a regular or
special session day, at the invitation of the temporary president and
minority leader of the senate, and upon agreement by the temporary
president and the governor as to the date and time, the governor
shall, for no less than one hour, publicly answer questions
pertaining to the strategic direction, financial status, and general
governance of the state from members of the senate in the senate
chamber. The percentage of time allotted for questions from members
of the majority and the minority parties shall be based on the
percentage of representation of each party in the senate. The
temporary president and the minority leader shall determine, for the
time allotted to each, which members of the senate shall ask questions
and the order in which the questions shall be asked.

Section 2: Act to take effect immediately.

JUSTIFICATION:
Public dialogue and debate are critical elements of any
well-functioning democracy. Yet, currently, there is no formal
procedure by which members of the legislature can regularly engage in
open and substantive discussion with the governor on the many
important budget, policy, and planning matters confronting the people


of New York State. This bill would institute such a procedure,
benefiting the public, the legislature, and the governor alike.

The bill will require the governor to meet regularly with both the
Assembly and the Senate, in order to publicly answer questions from
members of each house pertaining to the strategic direction,
financial status, and general governance of the state. Members of
both the majority and minority parties will have the opportunity to
ask such questions.

By creating a consistent forum for polite but meaningful discussion
and debate between the legislature and the governor, this bill will
improve the transparency and accountability of our state government,
and encourage responsible long-range planning for New York's future.
It will benefit members of the legislature by affording them an
opportunity to raise issues important to their constituents which
might not otherwise be heard, to highlight legislation, and to raise
questions about the governor's program for the state. The governor
will also benefit from the opportunity to demonstrate leadership and
accountability, and to set forth and update the public about the
progress of his or her agenda.

This practice is already common in the United Kingdom, Canada,
Australia, and other nations around the world, where government
leaders regularly meet with legislatures to publicly discuss issues
of the day. In the United States, President Obama has shown similar
leadership by meeting with members of the Congressional minority to
debate and answer questions about important elements of his agenda.
New Yorkers deserve the same accountability from their elected
leaders-taxpayers and public officials will all benefit from a free
and public airing of the political differences that shape our state's
policy.

LEGISALTIVE HISTORY:
2009-2010:  S.7938/A.11207

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
Act to take effect immediately.