Assembly Posts SFY 2008-09 Legislative Initiatives

Silver: Projects Represent Investments in Local Communities

The New York State Assembly today posted on its website proposed disbursements from the Assembly's share of the 2008-09 Community Project Fund (CPF).

Silver noted, that as it has in past years, the Assembly Majority proposes to allocate significant portions of the CPF to program areas that have historically been supported by the house, including HIV/AIDS programs, legal services for the poor and various cultural and economic development purposes. Other areas of spending include services for seniors, child care, drug and alcohol treatment, volunteer firefighters and other community-based initiatives.

"Individual legislators have a real awareness of the needs in their communities and under the CPF, we begin to address these needs. Legislative initiatives fund worthwhile efforts by community-based organizations across our state. They support job training, legal services for domestic-violence victims and other local efforts that enhance the quality of life in our communities," said Silver, who also noted that many of the areas identified by the Assembly for funding have not fared well under previous Executives and the federal government under the Bush administrations. "It is important that funds flow to programs like Meals on Wheels and services for domestic violence victims."

In keeping with the Assembly's ongoing efforts to bring transparency to the member item system, agencies administering the projects have the obligation to review the spending initiatives and the state comptroller may perform audits on such projects as deemed appropriate. In addition, the contracts developed with the agencies are subject to the additional disclosure and accountability certification process instituted by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo through an agreement with legislative leaders last year.

Silver noted that the SFY 2008-09 budget included the Assembly's local initiatives, which were lined out in budget legislation enacted in April. The Assembly's initiatives are posted in a searchable format and include names of a member or members associated with each item.

"The Assembly Ways and Means committee has provided a rigorous and thorough internal review of these initiatives, and the Assembly continues to encourage the oversight of the attorney general and the state comptroller in the administration of the contracts that deliver the benefits of these programs to a broad spectrum of New Yorkers. It is a process aimed at ensuring the effective and legal use of these funds," said Silver.

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Note: Click here to view The Assembly Legislative Initiatives.