Assemblywoman Solages Passes Legislation to Strengthen Government Transparency During Sunshine Week
Albany, NY – The New York State Assembly has passed a legislative package aimed at improving government transparency and strengthening public trust. This legislative action aligns with Sunshine Week, a national initiative dedicated to promoting open government and access to public records.
Included in this package is legislation (A.6707), sponsored by Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages, which requires state agencies to publicly disclose contracts that bypass review by the Office of the New York State Comptroller (OSC). These contracts, whether exempted due to emergency circumstances or statutory provisions, must be posted online within 30 days of signing. The disclosure must include the contract details, the legal basis for the exemption, and whether it was competitively bid.
“The Office of the State Comptroller serves as a critical safeguard in ensuring that government contracts are fair, transparent, and subject to competitive bidding,” said Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages. “By making exempt contracts publicly accessible, we are increasing transparency, strengthening accountability, and reinforcing public confidence in how taxpayer dollars are spent.”
Sunshine Week serves as an annual reminder of the importance of government openness and accountability. The Assembly remains committed to advancing policies that uphold the public’s right to information and ensure responsible stewardship of public funds.