ALBANY -- State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says a deal today at the Capitol limiting his ability to conduct certain pre-audits of state contracts "undermines'' a needed check on state spending.
The relaxed oversight, sought by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, will apply to potentially billions of dollars worth of state and local government contracts in New York and affects centralized procurement deals overseen by the state Office of General Services, the comptroller said.
"It is a mistake to erode this independent oversight,'' DiNapoli said of the deal by lawmakers and Cuomo. "Eliminating review of contracts potentially worth over billions of dollars undermines the accountability and transparency New York taxpayers deserve. Checks and balances are essential to fiscal responsibility.''
-- Tom Precious
