Albany Update

Gov's Executive Order to Reduce Cost of
State Agency Contracts

Governor Andrew Cuomo has issued an Executive Order which will reduce the cost of many personal services contracts (PSC) used by New York State agencies by 10 percent.

Under the order, agencies will be permitted to renew certain PSCs only if the contractor agrees to the reduction or with the approval of the Director of State Operations.

"My proposed budget calls for significant savings from State agencies and reducing the cost of contracts those agencies enter into will help achieve our goal," said the governor. "My administration will continue looking for ways to save taxpayers' money across all sectors of our government, and asking companies that do business with the State to find new efficiencies and lower their costs is a critical part of the process."

The state uses PSCs in areas including research and analysis, data processing, computer programming, engineering, environmental assessment, health and mental health services, and accounting.

State agencies will also be required to examine the roles currently assigned to PSCs and take all reasonable measures to ensure that the same services could not be acquired at a lower price.

These measures include discussing lower price options with current contractors, deciding whether re-bidding contract would achieve cost savings and working with the Director of State Agency Redesign and Efficiency to determine if savings could be achieved through bundling with other state agencies currently utilizing the same contractor.

The Spending and Government Efficiency Commission, created by Executive Order No. 4, will continue to review the state's practices regarding contracts for personal services to identify additional ways to reduce their number and cost.

Photo Author: United States
Permission: Public Domain

BREAKING NEWS: 'The Mad Prophet' Speaks!

This is GNN: G-Man News Network

In 1976, the groundbreaking film "Network" was released. Now, 35 years later, the words spoken in this powerful scene by the film's central character Howard Beale, brilliantly played by Peter Finch, are more important and relevant than ever.

The scene is being posted by the GNN network as a wake up call for Americans, especially young people. It is also being showcased as an official, open challenge to every news organization, network owner and network executive: Get back to basics and end the madness before it's too late!

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, I give you......Howard Beale, "The Mad Prophet".


NOTE: Video has "mysteriously" been removed.