Opening books on contract services; PEF hails new mandate requiring state agencies to detail use of consultants.(Main)

Byline: JAMES M. ODATO Capitol bureau

ALBANY - A new law may shine some light into the shadows of state government, according to the union that pushed for the measure.

Following a 20-month, $1.3 million "Go Public" campaign by the Public Employees Federation, Pataki and the union announced Wednesday the signing a bill to require state agencies to divulge details of their use of state consultants. Pataki actually signed the bill Tuesday evening.

Agencies must now produce annual reports identifying their consultants, the total hours worked and for what purpose, and the dollar value of contracts. The reports must say if competitive bidding occurred. …