In the past, internal investigations of the Gaming Commission were handled by the Commission itself, creating a secretive and untrustworthy system. However, about two years ago, the Gaming Commission, along with then-Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature, recognized the need for a change. They decided to transfer this responsibility to the state inspector general’s office, appointing Lucy Lang, a former prosecutor, as the inspector general.
This move towards transparency has been highly successful. Lang has strengthened the effort by increasing the number of staff trained to investigate the commission’s complaints. The team now includes 13 auditors, 24 investigative attorneys, and 36 investigators, a significant improvement from the previous system, which only had three staff members. Furthermore, Lang has fulfilled her promise to release public reports and letters summarizing the office’s investigations. The first annual report documented a 150% increase in complaints received in 2022 compared to the previous year, with 307 complaints. Since September, the inspector general’s office has received 267 complaints related to the commission and its oversight of gambling entities.
Emilie Munson’s reporting for the Times Union sheds light on the “toxic” work environment within the Gaming Commission. Employees have experienced years of harassment and bullying, with their complaints to the internal inspector general often being overlooked. Lang identifies the need for a reevaluation of their approach to better serve the gaming industry and the public, prioritizing transparency and independent investigations.
Switching gears, the request for contract renegotiation by developers of four offshore wind farms brings to mind Dana Carvey’s iconic “Church Lady” character from Saturday Night Live. Empire Wind 1, Empire Wind 2, Beacon Wind, Sunrise Wind, developed by Equinor, BP, Ørsted, and Eversource respectively, have already made an impact on the Capital Region economy. Some of the equipment and materials required for these projects are being developed at the Ports of Albany and Coeymans.
However, there is a significant concern regarding the power these projects are expected to generate, which is crucial for achieving the state’s energy goals. The companies argue that the original contracts were negotiated years ago, without considering the prolonged governmental approvals, inflation, and supply chain issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Equinor and BP make it clear that they have the option to withdraw from the contracts if they do not meet their financial expectations.
It is important to note that the public will bear the cost of these projects. The Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind projects alone could lead to a 70-cent increase in monthly electric bills for consumers throughout the state. The state needs to hold these companies accountable and consider the requests in light of the impact on ratepayers. Given the urgency of these projects for the state and the region, the timing of the contract renegotiation requests does raise some concerns.
Overall, the transfer of internal investigations to the inspector general’s office for the Gaming Commission has significantly improved transparency and accountability. Likewise, the renegotiation of contracts for offshore wind farms requires careful consideration to protect the interests of ratepayers while also ensuring the progress of these vital projects.
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