VETO MESSAGE - No. 282
TO THE ASSEMBLY:
I am returning herewith, without my approval, the following bill: Assembly Bill Number 7265-A, entitled:"AN ACT to amend the state finance law and the education law, in
relation to establishing a comprehensive centralized system to
coordinate procurement of books and non-print library materials
and related ancillary services"NOT APPROVED
This bill would require the Office of General Services (OGS) to estab-
lish a statewide centralized procurement system accessible to State
agencies, nonprofit libraries and public universities. The centralized
system would be designed and operated in consultation with the State
Library to provide authorized entities access to books, in both printed
and electronic formats, a variety of non-print library materials, and
related ancillary services.By designating OGS to act as a purchasing agent, it is estimated that
creation of this centralized system would result in substantial adminis-
trative cost to taxpayers. In addition, this action is completely unnec-
essary as OGS already presently makes books and e-books available to
State and local government agencies - including public libraries, SUNY
and CUNY - through a centralized contract with over 60 vendors, includ-
ing nine certified New York State small businesses and five certified
minority- and women-owned businesses. The centralized contract allows
agencies and libraries to arrange for their own purchases of these mate-
rials, leveraging statewide buying power typically at a cost savings of
30 to 40 percent.This bill does not provide any funding to address its added cost. In
addition, it would be unwise to expend taxpayer funds to create an
entirely new administrative layer for which there is already an exist-
ing, well-functioning structure. I am therefore constrained to veto this
bill.The bill is disapproved. (signed) ANDREW M. CUOMO