By Howard Koplowitz
Two Queens councilmen slammed the move on the grounds that it gives too much authority to the mayor, while another supported the effort.Giving money to community groups from the Council's discretionary fund, or so-called “member items,” currently involves Council members making requests to the speaker.But Quinn said groups will now have to go through a request for proposals process to be overseen by the Mayor's Contract Services Office. The speaker would set funding priorities and the groups would compete for the allocations based on the priority of the services they provide, she said.”These so-called reforms are nothing more than back-pedaling that unfortunately weakens the Council as a legislative body,” said Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing).Citizens' Union and the New York Public Interest Research Group, two good government groups, applauded the move.”We think these reforms will increase fairness and transparency in the giving out of funds by the speaker and Council members,” said Gene Russianoff, NYPIRG's senior attorney.But Liu suggested Quinn, widely expected to run for mayor, made the changes so she would have more authority over how allocations are made if elected mayor. “It's amazing how naked ambition to the mayoralty can result in the leader of the legislative body [Quinn] becoming the body's worst enemy,” Liu said. “It's fine for Speaker Quinn to try and fix things in her own administration, but don't tie the hands of future Councils.”Liu also alluded to Quinn's admission that her staffers kept discretionary funds in reserve by making allocations to fake community organizations. No money was ever given to the fake groups, but they were used to hold onto money to be doled out later.”If you get caught with your hands in the cookie jar, just let go of the cookies and remove your hand, and maybe give yourself a slap on the wrist,” Liu said. “But do not tie the hands of all the successors.”His colleague, City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside), agreed.”Clearly, she came up with a last-ditch effort to save her political future,” Avella said. “She's in serious trouble and this is just a public relations gimmick, in my opinion. Either you're going to give up pork entirely or you're not. If she was really interested in reform, why didn't she do it when she was [first] elected speaker?”Avella said he was also concerned that smaller community groups do not have the qualified staff to submit requests for proposals. Quinn also announced the Council would establish an online searchable database that lists which community groups applied for funding and that all proposed allocations would be made public at least a day before the budget is approved.Unlike Liu and Avella, City Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis), chairman of the City Council Finance Committee, supported the changes.”The reforms to the discretionary funding process… are solid steps towards giving the budget process further transparency,” he said.Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
