Following a string of corruption-laden economic development programs in recent years, Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) is pushing legislation in the waning weeks of session that would provide tremendous auditing power to Comptroller DiNapoli as well as require strict reporting requirements and transparency when it comes to the state’s economic development programs like START-UP NY and the Buffalo Billion.

At a press conference held by Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I,Ref-Canandaigua), a large number of Assembly Minority gathered to shed light on the abysmal results and seemingly dirty system by which Gov. Cuomo doles out state contracts and gives tax breaks to businesses through these programs, which have been cornerstones of his administration.

“This is like lighting millions of our families’ hard-earned tax dollars on fire, but only after they are filtered through the hands of criminals like Joe Percoco and Alain Kaloyeros,” McDonough said. “State leaders secretly removed job and performance reporting requirements for some of these programs during the budget, which allows them to bury their abysmal records from public scrutiny. For an administration which originally campaigned on transparency and openness, this administration has run in the opposite direction and that is unacceptable. The public deserves to know where and how their tax dollars are being spent, and I am hopeful we can bring this bill to the floor before session adjourns in a couple of weeks.”