Last year, New York State and its economic dealings came under intense scrutiny. In September, nine individuals were arrested following investigations of SUNY Polytechnic and the state’s Buffalo Billion plan. These scandals came in the same year that the governor failed to deliver his START-UP NY report on time, releasing the annual results nearly four months late. These blemishes are the reason we must increase transparency within the state’s economic development initiatives, which will allow the taxpayers to hold responsible those who have wasted millions of their dollars.

This year, the state has taken another step in the wrong direction with regard to transparency, by removing the requirement of annual START-UP NY reports from companies within the program. These annual reports are vital if we are to properly analyze the success of a plan costing New York millions of tax dollars in various economic programs across the state. However, with the lack of success we’ve seen in the reported job growth of these businesses, it is no surprise that the governor and his team would want to do away with these reports.

A deal that was cut behind closed doors during budget negotiations allowed this requirement to be left out, but many legislators, myself included, felt this was unacceptable. This is why I have chosen to sign onto Assembly Bill 7427. This legislation would restore the reporting requirements for the "SUNY Tax-Free Areas to Revitalize and Transform Upstate New York Program," or the "START-UP NY Program." Reestablishing this requirement would ensure legislators and the public could properly analyze the efficiency of each business that is taking advantage of the START-UP NY program, and allow adjustments to be made or questions to be asked.

Assembly Bill 7427 has support from both the minority and the majority in the Legislature and has already progressed through the Assembly Economic Development Committee. This legislation is currently in the Ways and Means Committee, and I look forward to it coming to the floor for a vote.

At this moment in time, we must be vigilant and keep a steady eye on the actions of our government and its spending. There is far too much at stake to allow the mishaps of recent history to continue. If you have any questions regarding START-UP NY or any other matter, please contact me by emailing blankenbushk@nyassembly.gov or by calling my office at 315-493-3909.