Senate Approves Montgomery-Sponsored Legislation to Increase Transparency on Albany’s Spending Practices

Montgomery Bill Sheds Light on Government Spending
Senate Approves Montgomery-Sponsored Legislation to Increase Transparency on Albany’s Spending Practices

To ensure public money is spent wisely, Senator Velmanette Montgomery (D-Brooklyn) passed legislation (S.372-A/A.7993-A) requiring state offices and agencies to report and justify how taxpayer dollars are spent.  Increasing transparency, accountability and openness of state spending allows the public to hold Albany accountable to the taxpayers’ needs.

“New Yorkers deserve to know who is getting what share of the state’s fiscal pie. My legislation is intended to help create transparency in departmental spending, enabling citizens to  more easily  track  the allocation   of  state  dollars  earmarked  for  the  betterment of their communities," said Senator Montgomery.

Under Senator Montgomery’s bill, reporting agencies will have to provide detailed accounts of their spending in addition to the generalized annual reports they now issue.

The new information is to be compiled and reported annually by zip code, types and value  of  state  grants  awarded, and by  the  names  of  community-based organizations receiving the financial assistance.

This legislation, also sponsored by Assemblywoman Inez Barron (D-Brooklyn),  has passed both houses of the Legislature and awaits action from the Governor.

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