But earmark reform, while necessary, only scratches the surface of the real budget reforms we need to see passed.  The current process is incredibly anti-democratic: the budget is negotiated behind closed doors and presented to the Council for an up-or-down vote with no opportunity for amendment.  Instead, each department’s budget should be presented to the appropriate committee for review and amendment, with the Council being able to change spending levels for individual programs but not increase the overall level of spending.  This will open up our budgeting process so the entire Council and every taxpayer in New York knows where and how their money is being spent.

Ultimately, we are all taxpayers, and we are all paying for the New York City government.  We need tough standards in place to make sure that we are getting the best return on our investment from every sector of the city government.

As Comptroller, in addition to pushing for budget reform, I will aggressively audit City agencies to identify and eliminate any waste or fraud, and to encourage efficiency and innovation by praising those agencies that do a good job for the taxpayers.  And I will push the City Council to require that all agency audits are posted not only on the Comptroller’s website, but also prominently featured on the agency’s website.