Governor to Implement Procurement Reforms, Proposes Ethics Reforms

cuomoYesterday afternoon, Gov. Cuomo issued a lengthy statement in which he said that he is taking a number of unilateral steps that will reduce potential conflicts of interests and fraud in the awarding of state contracts.

The Governor said that he will appoint a Chief Procurement Officer for the Executive branch, someone with investigative and prosecutorial experience who will review “all state contracts, with an eye towards eliminating any wrongdoing, conflicts of interest or collusion.”

The Governor will also appoint Inspector Generals for SUNY and CUNY, which will be tasked with identifying and investigating conflicts of interest, fraud, corruption and abuse; and reviewing contracts and hiring for both improper and illegal actions.

The Governor said he will no longer accept campaign contributions from companies that are bidding on a Request for Proposals, and from the winner for six months after an award has been made.

The Governor also said that will propose legislation that:

  • limits outside income for state legislators;
  • expands JCOPE’s authority over local government officials;
  • requires all state and local elected officials “to disclose all sources of income earned by themselves and their spouses”;
  • enacts campaign finance reform; and
  • enacts a system of public financing of political campaigns.

Read news coverage of the Governor’s announcement:

Buffalo News: Cuomo unveils plans to reduce fraud, conflicts of interest in state contracts

Albany Times Union: Cuomo rolls out lengthy list of anti-corruption plans

Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Cuomo to limit campaign cash, create watchdogs

New York Times: Cuomo, Stung by a Scandal, Offers Ethics Reforms

State of Politics: Cuomo Releases Lengthy Ethics To-Do List

Syracuse Post-Standard: Cuomo limits donations from companies seeking state business

NY Post: Cuomo vows to crack down on fraud in CUNY, SUNY schools