Republican lawmakers in New York say the ongoing federal investigation into two former aides to Gov. Andrew Cuomo shows more transparency and accountability is needed in state economic development programs.

Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb and several of his GOP colleagues announced several proposals Monday that would increase independent analysis of the billions of dollars in public money now being spent on programs like the Buffalo Billion.

Federal authorities are now examining whether the two former aides had possible conflicts of interest and engaged in improper bidding related to the Buffalo Billion and Nano initiatives, two programs that the Democratic governor created to revitalize the upstate economy.

Kolb’s proposals would require independent audits of the programs and give the attorney general and comptroller more oversight over funding decisions.

(AP)