State fiscal chief seeks more economic development oversight

New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says the ongoing bribery and bid-rigging scandal roiling Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration shows more scrutiny is needed when it comes to state economic development programs.

DiNapoli, a Democrat, proposed several changes Tuesday that would subject more state contracts to independent review and restore his office's oversight over state universities. He also wants to prohibit state agencies from creating non-profit entities that allow them to funnel public dollars to projects while circumventing contracting and reporting rules.

A former top adviser to the Democratic governor and the ex-head of a university research institute are among eight men charged in the corruption case. All of them say they are not guilty.

Cuomo hasn't been accused of wrongdoing. He has proposed his own changes to state procurement rules.