Agency proposes eliminating many public authorities

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP/ 1010 WINS) -- Two New York lawmakers want to shutter 129 public authorities and agencies established to address urban renewal, industrial development, waste management and other public enterprises.

Assemblymen Sam Hoyt and Richard Brodsky say the state's new Independent Authorities Budget Office recommended the closings in its review of more than 700 quasi-governmental agencies.

Many are currently dormant.

Hoyt, a Buffalo Democrat, says taxpayers have had to deal for years with the organizations, which have been accountable to nobody.

Brodsky, a Westchester County Democrat, says this is the first and easiest step toward reform. Earlier Tuesday, Brodsky said he's pressing the Fulton County Economic Development Corp. for information about its finances after it paid almost $1 million in bonuses to two of its top executives.