Gittens Fires Back at Governor, Demands Transparency on Spending

Sen. Kenneth Gittens fired back at Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. ahead of a Senate hearing he was chairing on Tuesday, accusing the administration of mishandling previous appropriations and questioning why the governor singled him out in a Monday press conference.

Gittens stressed that the Legislature’s role is to provide oversight and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, especially regarding retroactive wages owed to government employees. “These are funds owed to hardworking people— some who have retired, some who have even passed on. These monies are owed and should be given to these families. It is the Legislature’s job is to provide checks and balances on any administration and I for one will not be rubberstamping anything from the governor,” Gittens said.

Gittens expressed frustration over the government’s failure to deploy two $25 million appropriations intended for wage payments, with only $2.5 million disbursed so far. He also criticized the administration’s spending priorities, pointing to a $10 million promotion with the New York Jets, while local airport and cruise ship greeters were let go. “I’m not sure why the governor chose to single me out at his press conference, but obviously, I struck a damn nerve,” Gittens remarked. “Several of my colleagues spoke out on this – and while I can’t speak for all, a lot of us have concerns over the spending of this government and we will hold the administration accountable.”