One million dollars down, another hundred or so million to go! 

The State Power Authority is cleaning up its million-dollar-a-year pork-barrel program that used ratepayers’ money for everything from underwriting St. Patrick’s Day parades and jazz festivals to supporting youth sports teams and volunteer fire departments.

State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo has issued a legal opinion that effectively prohibits state authorities from making charitable contributions not related to their core mission. The Power Authority, which may dole out more such contributions than any other state authority, has agreed to revamp its program.

Brian Higgins is no hero.

Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, the Power Authority’s most vocal critic, described the move to overhaul the program as an “overdue reform.”

Brian Higgins, according to sources, succumbed to pressure from George Pataki and Louise Slaughter to enable the Power Authority to be granted another 50 year license.  This was done to protect the cash cow for New York State.  While his efforts to secure funding for our Waterfront may appear to be laudable, he sold out for a mere pittance of the money redirected from the Power Authority each year.

The Buffalo News: Home: Power Authority ordered to end charitable contributions