Lupinacci Supports "Truth In Spending" Bill

Assemblyman Lupinacci discusses Truth in Spending Bill with its lead sponsor, Assemblyman James Tedisco. Photo credit: Assembly GOP Photo
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Today, Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci (R, C, I – South Huntington) joined his Assembly Minority colleagues as they introduced legislation that would increase transparency in budgeting and end shady practices that have plagued Albany for years.

Currently, legislators are afforded a lump sum of taxpayer dollars and are allowed to allocate those funds without any oversight. Assemblyman James Tedisco’s Truth in Spending Bill would require executive and legislative officials to disclose how the public funds are allocated and where the money comes from.

Lupinacci said the measure, which is currently supported by 40 legislators, is “long overdue.”

“This proposal is a direct response to the corruption cases that shook the Legislature last year,” Lupinacci said. “Had this legislation previously been in place, those abuses of power would not have been so easily possible. Enacting the Truth in Spending Bill will bring much-needed transparency to an atmosphere that is currently a breeding ground for corruption.”

The Truth in Spending Bill would require:

• · All legislative earmarks to be for a public purpose and clearly outlined within the state budget at least three days before being voted on so that Assembly members, the public and members of the media can review proposals
  
• · Notification prior to adoption of the budget and after the funds are distributed, detailing the purpose of the earmarks, who will receive the money, and which legislative districts are impacted
  
• · The Governor and legislators to sign sworn conflict of interest disclosure forms before any recipient is granted state funds. The conflict of interest form would require disclosure of all political donations received within the past five years by the elected official from the intended recipient of funds if the cumulative amount exceeds $4,000 or more
  
• · Recipients must attest, under penalty of perjury, that their organization spent earmark funds in the manner described in their allocation
  
• · Publicly posting spending allocations, signed disclosure forms, memorandums of understanding and contracts online in an easy-to-read format on the State Comptroller’s website and the Assembly and Senate websites
  
• · Recipients seeking state funds to be certified as tax-exempt, non-profit organizations under section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code in New York State; a state agency; a municipality or their affiliated department, university, college, or school district; and that such entity is not in bankruptcy or arrears on any state obligations.
  

“Our constituents have the right to know exactly how and where their tax money is being spent,” Lupinacci said. “Due to the actions of a select few, it is now up to the rest of us to earn back the trust of our constituents and show them we are serving in their best interest.”