New York State Wants to go Paperless, Saving $53M. Annually

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – This November, on the back of the ballot, there’s a proposition lawmakers say could save taxpayers $53 million every year.

It’s called Proposition 2 – the state’s attempt to go completely digital.

In a two-year legislative session, 17,000 proposals are printed for the states 213 lawmakers.

“To satisfy a requirement in the constitution that a bill has to sit on a legislator’s desk for three days before it can be voted on,” said State Senator John DeFrancisco (R- Syracuse).

The state's printing costs for a single year? $13 million.

In addition, the state pays another $40 million just to haul it all away, which costs taxpayers a total of $53 million annually, said Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R-Glenville).

If the proposal is approved, printing would be a last resort and every bill would be a digital file only.

DeFrancisco says the change could be "implemented overnight" because "access is available online."