NY legislators cite tax-records privacy concerns

State lawmakers are pushing back on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s move to make it easier for his inspector general to access their tax records without a judge’s approval.

(AP) – Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s quiet decision to make it easier for his inspector general to obtain tax records of legislators and 200,000 state employees without a judge’s approval was called dangerous Monday by lawmakers who questioned possessing powers that even prosecutors lack.

State Sen. John DeFrancisco asked about the legality of the authority given by Mr. Cuomo’s tax department, which has strict privacy rules, to his appointed state inspector general, who has broad investigative power.
“I don’t know where legal authority comes from,” said Mr. DeFrancisco, a Republican, lawyer and chairman of his chamber’s Finance Committee. “It could lead to simply fishing expeditions. I just think it’s very, very dangerous.”
“Let’s suppose a union official has been a pain to the administration,” Mr. DeFrancisco told reporters after a joint committee hearing on taxes. “What prevents the IG from starting an investigation and, when they can’t find a darn thing, [say] ‘Well, let’s look at his tax records and find something there.'”
[Just like any official, the tax records should be open for full inspection. You crooks have been protected long enough!]