EDITORIAL: Gov should enact monitoring agency for authorities
Gov. David A. Paterson has the opportunity to enact one of the most sweeping reforms of state government in a decade. Both houses of the State Legislature have passed a public authorities reform bill, to strengthen oversight of New York's 800-plus public authorities. For too long, these agencies have been racking up billions of dollars in debt and doing political favors, out of sight of regular government controls.
Public authorities are sometimes referred to as the state's shadow government. But they include some of the biggest agencies around: the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Port Authority, the New York Power Authority and the Long Island Power Authority, among others.
To judge how well the authority system works, call to mind recent scandals. Development rights on the Erie Canal were sold to a political insider for a paltry $30,000. After the MTA asked the state for rescue money, its management failed to require workers to contribute to their health insurance, costing millions.
This bill would create an independent agency with subpoena power to monitor authorities, and to recommend consolidations and debt management. And it would require contract review by the state comptroller. Assemb. Richard Brodsky (D-Greenburgh) and Sen. Bill Perkins (D-Harlem) did a superb job shepherding this through their houses, even though some in the Paterson administration want to water it down.
The governor should sign this bill. hN
