SENATOR GOLDEN STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR CUOMO’S VETO OF LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE HURRICANE SANDY RECOVERY FUNDS OVERSIGHT

Brooklyn- State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today has issued the following statement criticizing Governor Andrew Cuomo’s veto of S.3228A/A.7261-A which he sponsored, along with Assemblyman James Brennan (D-Brooklyn), that would have created a new law requiring the State Division of Budget to provide oversight of Sandy recovery funds:

“The sad reality is that that more than three years since Superstorm Sandy made landfall causing unprecedented damage, many families in my district continue their personal recovery. Just last week, I held my latest town hall meeting specific on Sandy related issues and Build It Back delays. I can assure you that there are still a significant amount of frustrated individuals who my staff and I are working with to navigate the rebuilding process.

I am extremely disappointed that Governor Andrew Cuomo has vetoed this legislation which would have required that the federal money set aside or allocated for help with recovery efforts be monitored.  One key provision would require the State to identify those receiving the funding, which would have allowed us a better opportunity to find those who the process has failed. Additionally, this law would have caused an analysis of the process in which the funds were distributed, as well as if the funding was achieving its intended purpose. All of this is critical to support many as they rebound from Sandy.

I remind Governor Cuomo that the State of New Jersey has a very similar law on the books since 2013, and New York should have the same. I will continue to stand with those of my waterfront Southwest Brooklyn district that were greatly impacted in Gerritsen Beach, Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park, and Bensonhurst.”