Both candidates for the New York state comptroller’s race were in Albany Wednesday, each holding a press conference in support of proposed legislation.
“This announcement really follows a process,” said Tom DiNapoli, (D) New York state comptroller.
“It was well over a year ago [state Sen. James Sanders, Jr.] convened a gathering of myself and leaders in the minority community,” he said.
DiNapoli announced two bills he developed with Sanders, Jr., the chairman of the Senate committee on banks. The proposed legislation is designed to make lending in underserved communities more streamlined.
“These are two bills that will strengthen our existing state programs,” said DiNapoli.
One proposal aims to break barriers for those who want to participate in the banking development district program. The other bill would increase the cap of the community deposit program from $20 million to $30 million.
DiNapoli’s office said the proposed legislation is intended to make it easier for community and minority-owned banks to access state deposits that help provide essential banking services and increase financing for homeowners and small businesses.
“I want to talk about Medicaid specifically,” said Joseph Hernandez, the Republican comptroller candidate. “We have the largest Medicaid budget in the nation.”
Hernandez on Wednesday afternoon took to the steps of the state’s legislative building to introduce himself and sound off on Senate Democrats for blocking Senate bill 8661, but Senate Democrats say the bill is still in committee and has yet to come to the floor for a vote.
Given Democrats majority, it may not come to the floor.
The bill is intended to strengthen independent oversight and auditing of state spending.
It was sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt.
“We had an opportunity here to uncover fraud,” said Hernandez. “We had a bill that was proposed by the Republican delegation here, and for whatever reason the politicians that are currently in power did not think it was important or wise to request and require third party audits for Medicaid.”
Hernandez’s comments come as the federal government has launched an investigation into New York’s $124 billion Medicaid program, as first reported by the New York Post.
The Trump administration is alleging fraud, waste and misuse. New York has within 30 days to respond before the federal government could defer payments.