An extraordinary example of waste in state spending was made public by Assemblyman Matt Simpson recently.
North Country Assemblyman, Matt Simpson, reported in a press release that the state spent $100 million on bridge lighting that was intended for the Mario Cuomo bridge but went unused. He said the lighting sat in storage for two years and the storage cost taxpayers $2.1 million dollars. Simpson said the lighting was sold at auction for a fraction of what it cost. What’s worse, Simpson said, is the reaction State Leaders have when a loss like this is uncovered. He said Governor Hochul reacted by saying “it is what it is”. Assemblyman Simpson noted that it’s that kind of attitude that earned NY a ranking of 50th in tax burden vs other states and 49th in business-friendly climate.
PHS to Honor Bob Garrow
