BILL NUMBER: S6671A
SPONSOR: BORRELLO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the tax law, in relation to authorizing the city of
Olean to impose a hotel and motel tax; and providing for the repeal of
such provisions upon the expiration thereof
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would require meetings held between the Speaker of the Assem-
bly, Temporary President of the Senate, and the Governor to discuss,
negotiate, or debate, in part or in its entirety, the provisions of the
state budget to be open to the public.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Creates a new section 103-B of the Public Officers Law to
require meetings between the legislative leaders and the governor to be
open to the public, the host of the meeting to provide the public to
attend the meeting in at least one physical location at which a member
participates, and requires meetings to be broadcast to the public when
practicable.
Section 2: establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Too often, the state budget process is shrouded in speculation, rumor,
and closed-door negotiation only to be revealed in drips and drabs in
comments to the press with no concern for public input or timeliness.
This legislation would add sunlight and accountability to the budget
negotiation process by requiring the leaders of each house of the legis-
lature and the governor to openly discuss the budget in front of the
people they each represent.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Effective immediately.