BILL NUMBER: S1433

SPONSOR: KRUEGER
 
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 gover-
nor 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 legisla-
ture, 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 majori-
ty 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 encour-
age responsible long-range Planning for New York's future. It will bene-
fit 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 gover-
nor'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, Austra-
lia, and other nations around the world, where government leaders regu-
larly meet with legislatures to publicly discuss issues of the day. In
the United States, President Obama has shown similar leadership by meet-
ing 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 poli-
tical differences that shape our state's policy.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20: S.3979/A.8794 O'Donnell - Finance

2017-18: S.5014 Passed Senate - A.8620 - O'Donnell - Government Ops

2015-16: S.2677 Governmental ops

2013-14: S.3436/A.957 Kellner - Government Ops

2011-12: S.401/A.883 Kellner - Government Ops

2009-10: S.7938/A.11207 Kellner - Passed Senate - Government Ops in
Assembly

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Act to take effect immediately.