BILL NUMBER:S2677

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the executive law, in relation to
monthly meetings between the governor and the legislature to allow the
legislature to ask questions of the governor relating to matters
concerning the state

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To require that the governor shall meet regularly with the assembly
and with the senate, to publicly answer questions from members of each
house pertaining to the strategic direction, financial status, and
general governance of the state.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Provides that once each odd-numbered month, from January
through June or during the regular legislative session, and on a
regular or special session day, at the invitation of the speaker and
minority leader of the assembly, and upon agreement by the speaker and
the governor as to the date and time, the governor shall, for no less
than one hour, publicly answer questions pertaining to the strategic
direction, financial status, and general governance of the state from
members of the assembly in the assembly chamber. The percentage of
time allotted for questions from members of the majority and the
minority parties shall be based on the percentage of representation of
              

each party in the assembly. The speaker and the minority leader shall
determine, for the time allotted to each, which members of the
assembly shall ask questions and the order in which the questions
shall be asked.

Provides that once each even-numbered month, from January through June
or during the regular legislative session, and on a regular or special
session day, at the invitation of the temporary president and minority
leader of the senate, and upon agreement by the temporary president
and the governor as to the date and time, the governor shall, for no
less than one hour, publicly answer questions pertaining to the
strategic direction, financial status, and general governance of the
state from members of the senate in the senate chamber. The percentage
of time allotted for questions from members of the majority and the
minority parties shall be based on the percentage of representation of
each party in the senate. The temporary president and the minority
leader shall determine, for the time allotted to each, which members
of the senate shall ask questions and the order in which the questions
shall be asked.

Section 2: Act to take effect immediately.

JUSTIFICATION:

Public dialogue and debate are critical elements of any
well-functioning democracy. Yet, currently, there is no formal
procedure by which members of the legislature can regularly engage in
open and substantive discussion with the governor on the many
important budget, policy, and planning matters confronting the people
of New York State. This bill would institute such a procedure,
benefiting the public, the legislature, and the governor alike.


The bill will require the governor to meet regularly with both the
Assembly and the Senate, in order to publicly answer questions from
members of each house pertaining to the strategic direction, financial
status, and general governance of the state. Members of both the
majority and minority parties will have the opportunity to ask such
questions. By creating a consistent forum for polite but meaningful
discussion and debate between the legislature and the governor, this
bill will improve the transparency and accountability of our state
government, and encourage responsible long-range Planning for New
York's future. It will benefit members of the legislature by affording
them an opportunity to raise issues important to their constituents
which might not otherwise be heard, to highlight legislation, and to
raise questions about the governor's program for the state. The
governor will also benefit from the opportunity to demonstrate
leadership and accountability, and to set forth and update the public
about the progress of his or her agenda.

This practice is already common in the United Kingdom, Canada,
Australia, and other nations around the world, where government
leaders regularly meet with legislatures to publicly discuss issues of
the day. In the United States, President Obama has shown similar
leadership by meeting with members of the Congressional minority to
debate and answer questions about important elements of his agenda.
New Yorkers deserve the same accountability from their elected
leaders-taxpayers and public officials will all benefit from a free
and public airing of the political differences that shape our state's
policy.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2009-2010: S.7938/A.11207

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Act to take effect immediately.