Category: news
Auditors whack Green Bank for severance packages, pension deal; Green Bank whacks legislature for sweep of funds
Marc E. Fitch July 31, 2019 The Connecticut Green Bank paid out $148,526 in severance packages for three employees and allowed one of those employees to remain employed until reaching ten years of service and becoming vested in Connecticut’s pension system, according to State Auditors. According to the audit released Wednesday, the three employees – two senior managers and an associate director – were given 26 weeks’ pay when their positions were eliminated and replaced with lower paying jobs. The Connecticut Green Bank is a quasi-public entity that leverages funds obtained through state and regional energy fees, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, to increase the use of solar power in Connecticut. The auditors note these severance packages were approved by the Budget and Operations Committee but were not approved by the board of directors. But one employee was allowed to remain employed until becoming vested for a state pension. “In addition, CGB provided a transition agreement to one of these employees in which it allowed the employee to maintain employment until vesting for retirement benefits,” the auditors wrote. “Furthermore, it appears that the employee’s duties did not change during the transition agreement.” Another four employees were eliminated in response to the 2018 budget sweep of $16.3 million per year from the Green Bank for two years, according to
;
New Connecticut laws will increase government transparency
Ken Dixon July 13, 2019 Updated: July 13, 2019 11:25 p.m. A new state law nestled deep in the $43 billion budget legislation will increase government accountability by allowing state watchdogs — and taxpayers — to monitor no-bid contracts for goods and services. Unlike towns and cities that through home rule powers of state law can side step competitive-bidding procedures with little or no public notice, the state has stricter openness requirements, which will be supplemented when the new procedures take effect. Another new law requires quasi-public agencies such as the Connecticut Lottery Corp. to disclose more information. But the executive director of the state Freedom of Information Commission said that transparency was a mixed-bag by the end of the legislative session, with most victories the result of defeating attempts to scale back the availability of information. “We think it’s a step in the right direction, providing transparency for the legislature and the public” said State Auditor John Geragosian, who along with State Auditor Rob Kane submit proposed changes to the General Assembly every session. This year, they succeeded in gaining a portion of what was proposed. Starting Oct. 1, state agencies will be required to submit an annual procurement plan, and contracts that do not go out for bid have to be publicly disclosed. “They’re going to have to
;
