Senate Republicans are calling on New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to block a controversial $10 million appropriation they say amounts to a taxpayer-funded legal defense fund for elected officials facing federal investigations.
The funding, quietly included in the $254 billion 2025–26 State Operations Budget Bill, would allow public dollars to be used for attorney fees and related expenses—even when the legal issues are unrelated to an official’s government duties.
In a letter to DiNapoli, the GOP conference urged the comptroller to reject any payments under the new provision, calling it a “gross misuse of taxpayer dollars.”
“Democrats in New York aren’t fooling anybody,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. “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.”
Deputy Leader Andrew Lanza criticized the fund as “yet another slap in the face of hard-working New Yorkers,” accusing Democrats of shifting public money away from essential services. “Government by and for the people is sadly being replaced by government for the government in New York,” Lanza said.
Senator Tom O’Mara, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, said the measure represented a new low in fiscal irresponsibility. “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,” he said.
Senator Bill Weber, ranking member of the Senate Budget and Revenue Committee, also voiced strong objections, stating, “This policy doesn’t reflect good government. It’s baffling that anyone thinks this is a good idea.”
Republicans argue that the appropriation’s language is dangerously broad and undermines public accountability. According to the bill, attorneys’ fees and expenses would be paid directly to employees or their private counsel “from time to time during the pendency of the Process and upon the audit and warrant of the Comptroller.”
The letter from Senate Republicans concludes with a forceful appeal: “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 debate continues, Republican lawmakers warn that the issue may fuel public distrust and deepen perceptions of political favoritism in Albany.
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