Stec Joins Senate Colleagues, Advocates to Call for Transparency in use of Opioid Settlement Funds

Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) joined several of his Senate Republican colleagues and advocates in calling for the state’s Opioid Settlement Advisory Board to be appointed and seated before allocating any opioid settlement funds. 

Last year, the Legislature unanimously approved the creation of this board to ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement of $265 million from the opioid settlement funds. Despite the fact that numerous vacancies on the board remain, Governor Hochul has proposed allocating this funding in her state budget proposal. Stec and his colleagues urged the Legislature to reject this move until the full board is appointed and can meet to provide the necessary input on this issue. 

“The use of the state’s opioid settlement funds isn’t a partisan issue; we all want this money goes to support prevention, treatment and recovery services,” Stec said. “We passed and created the Opioid Settlement Advisory Board to ensure this happens and that the funds are distributed in a transparent, accountable manner. 

“By failing to finish making appointments, yet choosing to spend $265 in settlement funds, Governor Hochul is doing exactly the opposite of what the Legislature approved,” he added. “In order to offer the best possible services and outcomes for those struggling with addiction, as well as do right by the families who lost loved ones to opioids, the full board must be appointed and the Legislature must reject the governor’s proposal.”