New York State has established itself over time as a nationally recognized leader for red tape, overregulation, and its stifling business climate. So why is Gov. Andrew Cuomo aiming to create yet another unnecessary layer of government? The governor’s executive budget proposal looks to form a new agency, the New York State Design and Construction […]
New York State has established itself over time as a nationally recognized leader for red tape, overregulation, and its stifling business climate. So why is Gov. Andrew Cuomo aiming to create yet another unnecessary layer of government?
The governor’s executive budget proposal looks to form a new agency, the New York State Design and Construction Corp., to review large-scale infrastructure projects costing more than $50 million. As someone who has personally owned and run a business, I know from firsthand experience that increasing the size and involvement of government translates into delays and waste.
A walking contradiction
Gov. Cuomo has repeatedly called for municipal consolidation as a way to lower property taxes. Although ending unfunded mandates is the real answer, “consolidation” has been his response to the property-tax crisis that New Yorkers face.
However, on the state’s biggest, most important infrastructure projects, the consolidation approach apparently does not apply. Creating this agency, which will actually be a subsidiary of the Dormitory Authority run by hand-picked appointees, espouses the exact opposite sentiment that Cuomo has regularly preached.
In addition, this maneuver would likely provide the governor with greater influence over “independent” agencies like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Thruway Authority. His pattern of continually seeking to concentrate power at the expense of sound policy is alarming, especially when it will only create more inefficiency.
State residents’ interests must come first
The governor should, instead, be focused on maximizing the effectiveness of the state agencies and departments that he already oversees. For example, instead of creating a new agency, why has the Thruway Authority not created a spending plan for the $4 billion Tappan Zee Bridge project? Adding more layers of government oversight is not the way to make government better, faster, and more transparent.
If the governor was serious about improving New York’s infrastructure, he would be focused on funding much-needed road and bridge repairs, especially Upstate. In addition, the taxpayers who fund these projects would not have to search for answers on how their money is being spent.
A recent story in the Wall Street Journal enumerated the concerns of those on both sides of the aisle. Concerns were raised by people of varying backgrounds and expertise — from government officials to private entities that follow state policies. New York State does not need another agency. At a time when infrastructure repairs, improvement, and growth are vital to the sustained economic success of New York, I have grave concerns that the governor has again put politics above policy. That is an all-too-familiar theme of his administration.
Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C–Canandaigua) is the New York Assembly Minority Leader and represents the 131st Assembly District, which encompasses all of Ontario County and parts of Seneca County. Contact him at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us