From the Desk of Assemblyman Thomas Alfano: February 12, 2010

Written by Assemblyman Thomas Alfano Friday, 12 February 2010 00:00

Alfano Launches Taxpayer Website to Combat Government Waste

Assemblyman Tom Alfano joined with dozens of Assembly members from throughout the state recently in the launch of a new website, www.stopgovernmentwasteny.com, that will aid taxpayers and state employees in reporting any wasted taxpayer dollars. The website is yet another tool in the continued fight to prevent the loss of millions in taxpayer dollars that occurs annually through waste, fraud and abuse.

The site will seek the direct input of taxpayers and state employees who can anonymously report wasteful acts they have witnessed, or of which they have become aware. Alfano will then publicize the reports, submit them to the administration and seek non-partisan legislative remedies to rectify the problems to ensure greater fiscal accountability and responsibility in state government. The website is now live and some of its features include:

- Offering taxpayers and state employees an online mechanism to report known instances of state government waste directly on the website—it also allows individuals reporting such tips the ability to retain their anonymity;

- Listing of several recent examples uncovered by the media of state government waste, fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars; and

- Outline how government waste leads to higher taxes, a strain on the delivery of essential public services and further erodes public confidence in state government and the men and women serving in it.

“These are very difficult economic times that our communities are facing. It’s important that every single taxpayer dollar is spent wisely and not wasted. The website is a tool that our constituents can use to anonymously report waste and make our state accountable to the taxpayers,” Assemblyman Alfano said.