SENATE REPUBLICANS CALL ON COMPTROLLER DINAPOLI TO
REJECT DEMOCRATS CREATION OF A LEGAL DEFENSE SLUSH FUND FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
Senate Republicans send letter to Comptroller DiNapoli to stop the madness
(ALBANY, NY) - On the heels of New York State Democrats passing a budget that includes $254 billion in spending, Democrats tucked away 10 million taxpayer dollars into a slush fund to cover the private legal bills for politicians in Albany. The Senate Republican conference penned a letter to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli urging him to protect taxpayers of the State by refusing to issue payments from the slush fund.
The letter states, "We write to express our strong opposition to the $10 million appropriation included in the 2025-26 State Operations Budget Bill, which would allow taxpayer funds to be used for payment or reimbursement of attorneys’ fees and related expenses for state employees involved in federal investigations unrelated to their official duties.”
“Democrats in New York aren’t fooling anybody. Creating a slush fund for the private legal defense of elected officials or public employees for alleged crimes unrelated to their public duties is beyond the pale. We are calling this out for what it is - a gross misuse of taxpayer dollars. Our letter is asking the State Comptroller to step in and do what is right because I can assure you New Yorkers will not forget this” stated Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.
“In yet another slap in the face of hard working New Yorkers, Governor Hochul and New York democrats are going to use your money to pay for lawyers to represent themselves when they commit crimes. "Government by and for the people" is sadly being replaced by "government for the government" in New York,” stated Senate Deputy Leader Andrew Lanza.
“In a long line of irresponsible actions coming out of Albany, this one takes irresponsibility to a new level. New York State taxpayers are already the most overburdened taxpayers in America and now Albany Democrats want to give elected officials a new multi-million-dollar, taxpayer-funded slush fund to cover private legal expenses. The State Comptroller should immediately reject any use of it,” stated Senator Tom O'Mara, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee.
“My constituents elected me because they believe in good government. This policy doesn’t reflect that principle. I cannot, in good conscience, support a measure that allows taxpayer dollars to be used for elected officials' private legal expenses. Frankly, it's baffling that anyone thinks this is a good idea,” stated Senator Bill Weber, ranking member of the Senate Budget and Revenue Committee.
“The appropriation’s language opens the door to ongoing, unchecked public spending on private legal matters that have no connection to state employment. Such an arrangement is not only offensive to the principles of public accountability but may also raise serious constitutional concerns.
The appropriation explicitly states: “Attorneys’ fees and expenses shall be paid by the State to the employee or the employee’s private counsel from time to time during the pendency of the Process and upon the audit and warrant of the Comptroller.”
We urge you, in the strongest terms, to refuse to warrant any payments under this appropriation. Upholding the integrity of our state government and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars demands no less. As someone once said, no one is above the law,” concluded the letter.
Democrats in New York continue to use taxpayers as piggybank to save their skin. Creating a legal slush fund only for the benefit of Albany politicians is an abuse. Hardworking taxpayers want their tax dollars spent on essential government services, not on politicians’ legal fees. This is Albany corruption at its worst, giving political insiders a blank check while working families foot the bill.
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May 14, 2025
The Honorable Thomas P. DiNapoli
New York State Comptroller
Office of the New York State Comptroller 110 State Street
Albany, NY 12236
Dear Comptroller DiNapoli,
We write to express our strong opposition to the $10 million appropriation included in the 2025-26 State Operations Budget Bill, which would allow taxpayer funds to be used for payment or reimbursement of attorneys’ fees and related expenses for state employees involved in federal investigations unrelated to their official duties.
This proposed use of public money is a gross misuse of taxpayer dollars. It undermines public trust in government and sends a troubling message that elected officials and state employees are entitled to a publicly-funded legal defense, even for matters entirely disconnected from their public responsibilities.
While the language of the appropriation appears to be crafted to benefit one specific elected official, its scope is so broad that it could extend to nearly any state employee, past, present, or future - regardless of the nature of the investigation or their role in government.
The appropriation’s language opens the door to ongoing, unchecked public spending on private legal matters that have no connection to state employment. Such an arrangement is not only offensive to the principles of public accountability but may also raise serious constitutional concerns.
The appropriation explicitly states: “Attorneys’ fees and expenses shall be paid by the State to the employee or the employee’s private counsel from time to time during the pendency of the Process and upon the audit and warrant of the Comptroller.”
We urge you, in the strongest terms, to refuse to warrant any payments under this appropriation. Upholding the integrity of our state government and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars demands no less. As someone once said, no one is above the law.
Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,
Robert G. Ortt Senator Andrew Lanza Senate Minority Leader 24th District
62nd District
Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick Senator Rob Rolison
Senator Pam Helming 54th District
Senator Jim Tedisco 44th District
Senator Peter Oberacker 51st District
Senator Dean Murray 3rd District
Senator Mario Mattera 2nd District
9th District
Senator Daniel G. Stec 45th District
Senator Steve Chan 17th District
Senator Mark Walczyk 49th District
9th District
Senator Alexis Weik 8th District
Senator Steve Rhoads 5th District
Senator George Borrello 57th District
Senator Patrick Gallivan 60th District
Senator Joseph Griffo 53rd District
Senator William Weber 38th District
Senator Jack M. Martins 7th District
Senator Tom O’Mara 58th District
Senator Jake Ashby 43rd District
Senator Anthony Palumbo 1st District
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