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New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar has introduced a broad package of “good government, ethics, and transparency” legislation aimed at strengthening oversight and reinforcing public accountability. The measures are designed to ensure that government serves the “people,” not the “powerful.”
According to a statement from her office, the legislative package targets practices that have contributed to declining public trust, including “no-bid contracts, relationships between contractors and public officials, unauthorized contractors receiving public money, undisclosed lobbying pressure, and big-money influence from corporations doing business with the government.”
The proposal follows a series of “scandals and improprieties” linked to government contracting, amid growing public demand for greater accountability. The statement noted that the bills seek to expose “insider dealings, strengthen safeguards around public contracting,” and reaffirm that the use of taxpayer funds is a public trust.
Assemblywoman Rajkumar said, “I have personally seen how corruption at the state and city levels stalls government and stands in the way of helping people. That is why I am proud to introduce this anti-corruption package. New Yorkers are sick of backroom deals, insider influence, and a government that too often serves the well-connected instead of the public.”
She added that the legislation addresses the “loopholes and hidden dealings” that allow misconduct to persist, including no-bid contracts, undisclosed conflicts of interest, unauthorized vendors, opaque lobbying practices, and political contributions tied to government business.
“I am fighting to restore trust in government, because public service must always belong to the people,” she said.
The package includes several key measures:
One bill, A10881, seeks to limit the use of no-bid contracts by establishing clear and narrowly defined conditions under which they may be issued. It requires competitive bidding unless the Governor declares an emergency. Current law permits agencies to issue such contracts under “unusual circumstances,” a standard the legislation characterizes as overly vague and open to misuse.
Another measure, A10461, would require New York City contractors to disclose any personal or professional relationships with public officials. The goal is to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are identified before contracts are awarded, particularly in light of past instances where such relationships raised concerns about the integrity of procurement decisions.
A third bill, A10462, aims to prevent payments to unauthorized contractors under New York City agreements. It would require that all vendors and subcontractors be properly vetted and approved before receiving public funds. The proposal follows findings from a Comptroller’s audit of the City’s contracting for migrant services with DocGo, which reported that nearly 67 percent of reimbursements during one period went to unauthorized subcontractors, while only 29 percent of vendors had undergone the required review process.
The package also includes A9559, which focuses on lobbying transparency. The bill would require lobbyists to disclose their positions on specific legislation, including amendments and appropriations. While current law mandates disclosure of clients, it does not require clarity on their positions, leaving room for ambiguity. The proposal has received support from good-government organizations Reinvent Albany and NYPIRG.
Another measure, A826, addresses a campaign finance loophole involving businesses that receive city contracts. Existing law limits contributions from such firms to $400 if contracts exceed $5,000. However, contracts structured on a retainer basis are sometimes recorded at nominal amounts, such as $1 or $0, when the final cost is not yet determined. This has allowed firms with potentially lucrative agreements to make larger political donations. The bill would apply contribution limits to any contract with the potential to exceed $5,000.
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