Contact: Colleen Roche/Samantha Lugo (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced his support for legislation submitted by Governor George E. Pataki to change the structure of the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) to enable City school buildings to be constructed and repaired in a more cost effective and timely manner.
The Governor's proposal would amend the School Construction Authority Act to increase the level of the City's oversight of the SCA by creating a Board of Trustees comprised of two mayoral appointments and the Chancellor, with the Mayor designating the Chair. The proposal eliminates the gubernatorial appointment to the SCA Board. The proposed legislation also will increase efficiency in school construction by permitting the Board of Education to contract with the City Department of Design and Construction to perform school construction, and by eliminating various inflexible SCA work rule requirements.
Mayor Giuliani said, "Governor Pataki's proposal creates a real basis for continued improvement of the SCA. Under new leadership, the SCA recently has made major steps in reforming its operations and deserves much credit. The Governor's proposal will accelerate the process of reform substantially, and creates a very important opportunity for even more improvement at the SCA."
The Governor's proposal also makes the SCA and the Board of Education more accountable to the Director of the City Office of Management and Budget and the Mayor for the spending of capital funds by the SCA, and makes permanent and expands the SCA's exemption from the Wicks law. The legislation also replaces the State Employment Public Relations Board with the City Office of Collective Bargaining to oversee labor negotiations at the SCA.
The legislation also promotes greater coordination between the SCA and the City Board of Education.
Mayor Giuliani concluded, "The new structure of the SCA creates an improved and more accountable means for spending the $11 billion that the Board of Education has projected for its capital budget over the next five years. I congratulate Governor Pataki on presenting a comprehensive proposal for reform. I will work with the Governor and Chancellor Crew to make continuing reform of the SCA a priority in the coming legislative session. I would also like to thank Senators Padavan, Velella, Goodman and Maltese for their support of SCA reform."