Kolb Calls for End To $3.4 Billion State Slush Fund

Assemblyman is calling for an end to the culture of secrecy

January 30, 2007

Assemblyman Brian Kolb (R,C,I –Canandaigua) and his Assembly minority colleagues identified about fifty “slush fund” accounts with a cost of nearly $3.4 billion to New York’s already distressed taxpayers. These lump sum allocations far surpass the $200 million in member-items Kolb and his conference successfully worked to have itemized in this year’s budget.

“We must cast a larger net of accountability over the abuses of surreptitious spending,” Kolb demanded. “This $3.4 billion slush fund is unconscionable. The taxpayers should be outraged that their record-high taxes are funding a system of hidden spending for projects that can’t be accounted for.” Kolb noted that these funds do not list legislative sponsors or project names.

Assemblyman Kolb is joining Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Schenectady, Saratoga) in calling on Governor Spitzer to eliminate “slush fund” appropriations from the Executive Budget he plans to unveil on Wednesday.

“Eliminating ‘slush funds’ is a key issue as it relates to restoring openness, fiscal accountability, reforming the Legislature and ending Albany’s hide-and-spend culture,” remarked Kolb.

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