Times Union: Still unclear how Grieving Families Act may affect bottom line

By: Tom Stebbins

Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal doesn't seem to think it is his responsibility to study how the bills he introduces will impact taxpayers ("Business groups continue to reject amended Grieving Families Act," May 15). Then whose job is it?

According to the Legislature's own rules, the responsibility lies with him. The first rule of the Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly states that any bill that will affect the finances of local governments — including towns, villages, cities, counties and school districts — must include a fiscal impact analysis. But Hoylman-Sigal’s new bill to amend New York's wrongful death law was introduced without the required analysis.

Earlier this year, Gov. Kathy Hochul rightly vetoed legislation that would increase liability in wrongful death lawsuits. The potential for increased cost to taxpayers was among her reasons for rejecting the bill. Hoylman-Sigal's new bill does not remotely resolve these concerns. The Conference of Mayors, the Association of Counties and the state Budget Office have all pointed out how increasing liability in this way will impact hospitals, local governments and state agencies.

Independent actuarial analysis shows that even with the proposed amendments, medical professionals can expect to see their insurance balloon. Our auto insurance, homeowners insurance and insurance for small business owners will all increase.

It is time for lawmakers to follow their own rules and be transparent about how much this proposal will cost New York's local governments and taxpayers. In a difficult economy, lawmakers must focus on reducing costs, not enacting policies that will increase them.

The writer is the executive director of the Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York, Albany.