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Finance Committee reads long slate of gubernatorial nominees, members debate appointing executive officials to boards
Summary
After advancing four workers' compensation nominees, the Senate Finance Committee read a three-page slate of additional gubernatorial nominees into the record June 9, moved the slate to the Senate floor and debated the longstanding practice of appointing executive-branch officials to public boards and authorities.
After the four appearing nominees concluded, the Finance Committee staff read a multi-page list of additional gubernatorial nominees into the record. The slate included nominations to authorities and boards such as the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the Adirondack Park Agency and multiple park, arts and higher-education boards.
Chair Liz Krueger said the committee typically does not require in-person appearances for many of the unpaid positions and that materials for each nominee had been distributed in advance. Committee staff read names aloud so they would be entered on the official record.
Several senators used the opportunity to raise a procedural concern that has recurred in prior sessions: whether executive-branch department heads or other current executive employees should be appointed to governing boards such as SUNY or CUNY. One senator said the practice raises questions about accountability when appointees remain part of the executive branch; another noted a particular nominee to the State University of New York board who is leaving the governor's office and therefore would not remain an executive-branch employee once placed on SUNY.
Senator remarks referenced pending legislation to change the process; one senator said a bill by Senator Stavisky (name as stated in the record) had passed the Senate and was awaiting action in the Assembly to address nomination timing and related reforms.
Procedural outcome: the committee moved the long slate of nominees to the full Senate. Members were reminded they could vote "yes," "no" or "without recommendation" on paper ballots and that staff would tabulate votes. The committee closed the session after taking the motions and noted it would meet again on nominations on subsequent days.
The hearing record did not include individual roll-call tallies for the slate; several senators said they would vote no on certain nominees because of the practice of appointing sitting executive employees to governing boards, but those positions were still included in the slate moved to the floor.
