SENATOR WALCZYK INTRODUCES BILL S4959/A6089 TO ESTABLISH NEW YORK STATE COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY

New York State Senator Mark Walczyk and Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan announced Thursday that they have introduced legislation aimed at enhancing fiscal responsibility in New York State by establishing the New York State Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE).

 

This bipartisan commission will be tasked with examining state spending, identifying unnecessary and wasteful expenditures, and issuing recommendations for eliminating inefficiencies. “The hard-earned money of New York taxpayers deserves to be spent wisely and efficiently," said Senator Walczyk. "By creating this commission, we aim to shine a light on government waste and inefficiencies that have long plagued our state’s fiscal operations. It’s time to ensure that every dollar spent is justified and contributes to the well-being of our citizens."

 

In just five years, the New York State budget has ballooned by $76.7 billion—an astonishing 43.8% increase—from $175.3 billion in 2020-21 to the $252 billion budget recently proposed by Governor Hochul. Assemblyman Gallahan believes this reckless spending trajectory is unsustainable and demands immediate reform.  

 

“New York taxpayers are being forced to foot the bill for wasteful government spending, while our roads crumble, businesses flee, and residents struggle to make ends meet,” Gallahan emphasized. “Instead of asking for more, Albany needs to start doing more with less. This commission will provide the transparency and oversight needed to rein in spending and restore accountability to the taxpayers of this state.”  

 

This bill (S.4959/A.6089) highlights several examples of wasteful spending that have come under scrutiny in recent years. Among the most notable is the whopping $700 million allocated for the Empire State Film Tax Credit, part of the state's staggering $7.7 billion in handouts to the film industry. This program has drawn criticism for failing to produce a significant return on investment for taxpayers. Additionally, the tourism sector has not been immune to wasteful expenditures; reports indicate that many Adirondack hotels are seeing empty beds, raising questions about the effectiveness of tourism projects that do not yield tangible benefits for local economies. This misallocation of resources further underscores the need for a thorough evaluation of spending practices. Furthermore, the use of taxpayer dollars to fund drag queen shows in New York City schools, costing over $200,000, has sparked outrage among parents and taxpayers alike. 

 

"It’s time to prioritize the interests of New York taxpayers and ensure that their money is used effectively,” Senator Walczyk concluded.