Common Cause Statement on Independent Contractors

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Susan Lerner

October 31, 2011

212-691-6421

Common Cause Statement on Independent Contractors

In response to the NYC Council hearing on T2011-3824, Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause NY issued the following statement on Independent Contractors:

“The City Time scandal has made New Yorkers all too familiar with the perils of bloated outside contractors who waste tax payer dollars with no regard for cost effectiveness. It is a sad fact that large government contracts for computer systems have a tendency to spin out of control, resulting in what the blog TechDirt has termed “absolutely ridiculous over-budget computer systems for government agencies.” Government must find the proper balance between using inside expertise or outside consultants to develop and maintain key software and computer systems at any level. We commend Councilmember James for sponsoring this proposed law to begin to control the problem at the City level. Frankly, we think its passage should be a ‘no-brainer’.”