Transparency and accountability in State government requires that taxpayers know the true size and cost of government.  Billions of tax dollars are expended annually on contracts for goods and services in New York State, with little or no rational basis.  We do not know the true costs of these contracts compared to the costs of public employees, nor do we know how many workers are employed through contracts paid with these tax dollars.  The Go Public legislative package will make State government more transparent and accountable.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a taxpayer and a constituent, I am interested in seeing passage of the "Go Public - Get Accountable" legislative package being supported by the Public Employees Federation.

This package includes a bill (S3923\Spano/A1259/John) requiring that a cost/benefit analysis be prepared by a State agency before contracting for personal services. This bill is important to ensure that the public knows the true cost of contracting out governmental services.

A second bill, (S1920\Robach and A6542\Lupardo), requires the State to keep track of the numbers of employees employed through contracts for personal services and the value of the contract. This bill is vitally important for ensuring that the public knows the true size of State government.

The package also includes a bill (A5626\Brodsky) that would substantially increase accountability and disclosure related to public authorities. This bill would help reduce waste and inefficiency at the more than 730 State and local authorities by creating a process under which they can be abolished or merged with State agencies. As the stories about multiple scandals related to waste, fraud, and abuse in the press will attest, these authorities must be reined in and subject to greater oversight and civil service laws.

Finally, the Go Public package includes a bill (A9\Silver) that would increase the information that lobbyists must disclose related to their efforts to influence State contract awards. Since billons of tax dollars are expended annually on contracts for goods and services, it is vitally important that efforts to influence these awards are made public. Similar proposals have been made by the Senate and the Governor. These leaders should agree on a common bill and make it the law.

I urge you to support the "Go Public - Get Accountable" package of bills because disclosure and accountability are essential if New York is to truly reform its government. For more information related to the need for this legislation, please go to www.stopprivatization.com.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 08, 2005