New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT › Subtitle A - Governor's Office › Chapter I - Executive Orders › Part 1 - Executive Orders (Nelson A. Rockefeller) › Section 1.12 - Executive Order No. 12: [Appointing commissioners to investigate State and local activities relating to the aid, care and support of the needy.]

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
TO ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETING:
The maintenance of public confidence in the objectives and
					 in the operation of the laws relating to the aid, care and support of the needy
					 is an essential task for responsible government.
In such public confidence lies the hope of the unfortunate
					 and this confidence depends upon the conviction of the people of the State that
					 their tax dollars are expended in a manner best calculated to further the
					 social and humanitarian purposes for which public assistance and care are
					 authorized.
Programs for aid, care and support of the needy must not be
					 permitted to falter or lose their purpose; they must always be the vigorous and
					 compassionate instrument of the entire community for human betterment and
					 social progress.
Existing laws and administrative procedure should be
					 scrutinized, needless red tape wherever found should be eliminated, and any
					 practices found which tend to discourage self-reliance should be
					 revised.
There is also a need for a precise and impartial evaluation
					 of information to dispel the misunderstanding and confusion which arise from a
					 lack of knowledge or from misrepresentation as to the facts relating to the
					 aid, care and support of the needy.
The State Constitution provides that
"The aid, care and support of the needy are public concerns
					 and shall be provided by the State and by such of its subdivisions, and in such
					 manner and by such means, as the Legislature may from time to time
					 determine."
This principle is based upon the concept of individual
					 dignity, fundamental to our State and Nation, and upon our concern for the
					 well-being of the less fortunate. It must find expression in the effective
					 administration of public welfare which assures that no willing and worthy
					 person in need is deprived of assistance and which recognizes at the same time
					 that any receipt of an undeserved benefit undermines the purposes of such
					 assistance by damaging the public's confidence.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Nelson A. Rockefeller, pursuant to
					 Section six  of the Executive Law have appointed and by these presents do
					 appoint S. Hazard Gillespie (Chairman), Mrs. Arthur C. Aulisi, Kenneth
					 Bartlett, John A. Coleman, Sr., Manuel Goldman, Nelson C. Jackson, Gustave L.
					 Levy, Baldwin Maull, Joseph Monserrat, Mrs. James S. Seymour and David Sullivan
					 as Commissioners generally to study, examine, investigate, review and make
					 recommendations with respect to the management and affairs of any department,
					 board, bureau or commission of the State concerned with State and local
					 activities relating to the aid, care and support of the needy and specifically
					 the following matters:
(1) The
				  suitability of the laws and of the practices and procedures relating to the
				  aid, care and support of the needy to assure humane, efficient and economical
				  welfare services to those in need.
(2) The impact of separate Federal, State and
				  local laws, rules and regulations on the efficient and economical
				  administration of programs of public assistance and care.
(3) The allocation of responsibility and
				  authority in relation to programs of public assistance and care among local
				  governments, the State Government and the Federal government.
(4) The existing organization plan of State
				  and local governmental units administering public assistance and
				  care.
(5) The allocation of the
				  costs of public assistance and care.
(6) The role of vocational rehabilitation and
				  retraining of recipients in programs of public assistance and care.
(7) The role of work relief in programs of
				  public assistance and care as provided under existing State law.
(8) The coordination of job placement
				  services with programs of public assistance and care as provided under existing
				  State law.
The Commissioners are hereby empowered to subpoena and
					 enforce the attendance of witnesses, to administer oaths and examine witnesses
					 under oath and to require the production of any books, records or papers deemed
					 relevant or material and I hereby give and grant to the Commissioners all and
					 singular the powers and authorities which may be given or granted to persons
					 appointed by me for such purpose under authority of Section six  of the
					 Executive Law.
Every State department, division, board, bureau and agency
					 shall provide to the Commissioners every assistance, facility and cooperation
					 which may be proper or desirable for the accomplishment of the purposes for
					 which the Commissioners are hereby appointed.
The boards of supervisors and chief executive officers of
					 all counties and the commissioners of public welfare for every county public
					 welfare district, the mayors or other chief executive officers of all cities,
					 towns and villages and the commissioners of public welfare for every city or
					 town public welfare district, the district attorneys for each of the counties
					 in the State, the sheriffs in such counties, the commissioners of police or
					 persons having comparable title or duties exercising supervision of police
					 forces within the State are called upon to cooperate and make available every
					 reasonable facility and assistance to the Commissioners in the performance of
					 their duties.
Signed: Nelson A. Rockefeller
Dated: August 30, 1961