Push to change tax donation tracking progress

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Some New York state lawmakers are pushing for the legislature to pass a bill meant to ensure that money donated to military veterans during the tax filing process ends up where it is supposed to go.

The bill would put the commissioner of Veterans Services in charge of tracking and approving spending for four veterans organizations. The commissioner would also be required to publish yearly expenditure reports.

It comes in response to a report from the state comptroller's office, which found the majority of the money donated when taxpayers check off a cause on their tax forms is not spent as intended.

"They are donations," NYS Sen. Jake Ashby said. "Given by the taxpayers for men and women who have sacrificed on behalf of us in ways that many of us cannot imagine, and we need to recognize that and honor their sacrifice and the willingness of the taxpayers to donate to them."

Sponsors are hopeful the legislation will receive bipartisan support. The bill is currently in committee.