« It Was Wrong 9 Months Ago, And It Still Is | Main | The Kings (Martin Luther & Albert) highlighted in Ratner-sponsored Brooklyn hoops tourney »
January 16, 2006
Governor Pataki Signs New Oversight Law
NY1
Important news on the role of NY State government in large development projects:
Governor George Pataki has signed a new oversight law to ensure public authorities follow state guidelines.
Pataki has allotted $1.5 million in his executive budget for the creation of the Public Authority Budget Office.
The office will oversee the spending, compliance and the general ethics of agencies such as the MTA.
More coverage:
AP, via NY Newsday, Pataki tightens reins
[The measure] establishes codes of ethical conduct for authority directors, officers and employees.
Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, Pataki supports measure to rein in, reform state authorities
The new law mandates new regulations for disposing of property owned by the authorities.
The new measure is an important step forward but is weakened by the fact that the governor will appoint the inspector general, said one good-government lobbyist.
The NY Post, GOV OKS AUTHORITIES WATCHDOG
Pataki has been criticized for stonewalling a bill passed in June. Some say he wanted to wait as long as possible to minimize the impact on his administration in his final year in office. Aides argue he just wanted six months to prepare for the changes.
NoLandGrab: Support for this law spread after several backroom real-estate giveaways, benefiting politically connected developers, caught the public's attention.
Until now, development corporations have been formed to act on behalf of the state or local government, but, since they are private entities, they have not had to adhere to the laws governing "spending, compliance and the general ethics."
These quasi-governmental corporations with access to the deep pockets and political muscle of the state, coupled with the freedom to act as private companies, will hopefully become a thing of the past.
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT BROOKLYN?
Ratner's deal with the MTA for the Vanderbilt Railyards does not close until the proposal goes through the state's environmental review process.
So, we are left wondering, will the Public Authorities Reform Act require the MTA to re-open or re-structure their land deal with Ratner?
Posted by lumi at January 16, 2006 7:56 AM