Creates a temporary commission to review and report on the usefulness of state authorities

BILL NUMBER:A9728

Title of bill

An act to create a temporary state commission to review and report on the usefulness of the state authorities and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose or general idea of bill

Forming a temporary commission to gain a definitive understanding of the existence, nature, purpose, and cost of every individual New York Public Authority. Then to utilize this information in determining whether to dissolve, consolidate, or diminish any given authority with the best interests of New York State residents and taxpayers in mind.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: Establishes a temporary commission to review the purpose, nature, and functionality of each individual public authority in New York State, and report its findings.

Section 2: Provides for nine members of the commission. Three appointed by the Governor. Two appointed by the Temporary President of the Senate. Two appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly. One appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate. One appointed by the Minority Leader of the Assembly. The Chairman shall be appointed from muting the Governor's appointees.

Section 3: Provides that the commission shall receive no compensation, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses in performance of their duties.

Section 4: The powers of the commission include the ability to request and receive and to utilize all necessary data and resources to carry-out its duties.

Section 5: The commission is empowered to subpoena and enforce witness under oath and to perform any other functions necessary to perform its duties and responsibilities.

Section 6: The commission shall submit its report and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than December 1, 2011, with a mandatory interim report on May 15th, 2011.

Section 7: The commission shall submit a report for each individual public authority, and recommendations may include but not be limited to; leaving an authority as is, dissolving an authority, consolidation of authorities or transfer of powers and duties to appropriate state agencies.

Section 8: The commissions report shall include but not be limited to; how many authorities actively exists, their named and locations, number of employees and their salaries, operating budget, expenditures, debts and assets, and extent of oversight.

Section 10: Effective Date.

Justification

New York's public authority structure and the entities that operate within it have been termed by some, as New York's "shadow government". Large and complex taxpayer funded authorities operate

with poorly defined or obsolete intentions, veiled budgets and finances, and with only token accountability to the legislature that created them or the taxpayers they burden. There is little agreement to even how many authorities are currently active, or where they maintain offices.

Too many times the hardworking families of New York are subjected to watching their tax-dollars go to the bailout of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or are forced to pay higher tolls on the Thruway and increased bus fare on the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority with out having any idea why, or having any mechanism for which to inquire.

This legislation will lift the veil off this "shadow government". Reveal what purpose each authority serves, what that costs, who is charged with its administration, if that purpose can not be accomplished through more a more efficient, cost-effective organizational model, and ultimately, significantly reduce the number and nature of the hundreds of state authorities, while increasing financial oversight for the ones deemed vital and necessary.

Prior legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This Act shall take effect immediately.