ALBANY, N.Y. -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo met privately again Monday with legislative leaders, as he did last week, but when asked to provide details of that meeting, very little was offered.
Asked whether the federal investigation has made it more difficult to get things done, legislative leaders said, not for them.
"I think the first thing to do is let the executive speak to the work that their agencies do, the people that are hired by the governor," said Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, R-Smithtown.
The U.S. Attorney is investigating the "Buffalo Billion," the governor's signature economic development plan for Western New York. Two longtime Cuomo operatives are at the center of the probe: former lobbyist Todd Howe and longtime confidant Joe Percoco. At issue is whether any improper lobbying or bid rigging took place. No one has been charged.
Critics say the governor pushed to get the Buffalo Billion money out the door quickly, and corners may have been cut in the process.
"All these things arise naturally from a process that is really secretive and centrally controlled," said EJ McMahon, Empire Center for Public Policy. "Things that are secretive and centrally controlled are a way to get things done, quote-on-quote, but the problems arise when you see situations like what's being investigated now, which is, were bids rigged?"
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie was asked if more legislative oversight is needed of executive branch economic development initiatives like the Buffalo Billion.
"I think you can always look at ways to do things better, more transparent, more openly, but I think whenever there is a news article or an investigation, or sometimes people want us to act on that, but I think we should wait and see what the results of theses things are," said Heastie, D-Bronx, "and if we need to take action, we'll take action."
Even with investigations swirling, the Public Authorities Control Board, an obscure state agency that approves state subsidies, is scheduled to meet Wednesday to authorize an addition $486 million for a contractor associated with the Buffalo Billion.