Senator Gianaris Introduces Legislation to Reform Local Contracting Procedures

NEW YORK STATE SENATE

OFFICE OF SENATOR MICHAEL GIANARIS

For Immediate Release: September 21, 2015

Contact: Liza Acevedo│O: (718) 728-0960│C: (718) 909-2150│acevedomliza@gmail.com

Senator Gianaris Introduces Legislation to Reform Local Contracting Procedures

(Queens, NY) – Senator Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) announced the introduction of legislation to reform local government’s public contracting processes. As a result, conflicts of interest would be exposed, ensuring that winning bids come from responsible and cost-effective contractors and not political cronies.

“The news is riddled with stories of local contracting procedures that have led to questionable contracts awarded to vendors with political contacts,” said Senator Gianaris. “We must enact more stringent requirements to give the public confidence that their tax dollars are being spent wisely and without corruption.”

To prevent potential corruption in the future, Senator Gianaris’ proposal would require local governments to participate in a state system operated by the Office of the State Comptroller or create their own vendor system which complies with the requirements of a state-wide system that requires an extensive amount of vetting of potential vendors.

The following are among various components of information which must be disclosed:

• Any criminal convictions of the company, principal owners and/or officers, related to truthfulness or business conduct within the past ten years

• Any pending bankruptcy proceedings or bankruptcy filings within the past seven years

• Contract sanction history or the determination of ineligibility for a contract including the record of sanctions imposed on the company, any officer or owner, with respect to any professional licenses held

• Any judgments or injunctions against the company within the past five years by any municipality regarding a contract, judicial actions and/or proceedings pending

Senator Gianaris has continuously worked to introduce tougher laws to fight corruption in Albany, while making sure taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly.

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