About 40 New York lawmakers are backing legislation to require clear public disclosure of state grants or funds for community projects chosen by the governor or legislators.
The bill, introduced by Assemblyman James Tedisco, a Schenectady County Republican, would require that such allocations describe the project, ensure the purpose is public and require the officials requesting them to promise in writing there's no conflict of interest.
The allocation would also have to show political donations received from the funding recipient during the previous five years if it exceeds $4,000.
That information would have to be published online three days before legislative approval and kept on the state comptroller's website.
Tedisco says taxpayer dollars are not leaders' "personal piggy bank" and people need to be able to follow the money in so-called earmarks.
© 2016 AP
