CUT members unanimously oppose this bill.
The bill appropriates $4 million from the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” cash fund to the office of the governor for state fiscal year 2025-26, with roll-forward authority in state fiscal year 2026-27 for any money remaining in the fund after state fiscal year 2025-26. The bill authorizes the office to accept gifts, grants, or donations for crediting to the fund to implement the bill. Money in the fund may be used by the office at the governor’s discretion.
The governor’s office should not have control of expenditures. This is the exclusive role of the legislature. There needs to be checks on this spending to prevent completely partisan use of state money. The bill admits to using these federal funds for litigation against the federal government, not at all the purpose of the original funding. Authorization of use of gifts, grants or donations opens the executive branch to at least the appearance of influence buying. This bill does not address anything that is an immediate threat to peace, safety, and health; therefore, the Safety Clause should not be included.
