There are times when we think Gov. Kathy Hochul isn’t quite as controlling as former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Then we’re reminded that Cuomo’s former lieutenant governor picked up a few tricks from her old boss. Hochul’s veto of legislation that would have improved oversight of contracts entered into during a time of emergency is one of those times.

“It is important in times of emergency that there is flexibility for the Executive to focus on the ongoing emergency and move quickly in the best interest of the public,” Hochul wrote in her veto message. “The requirements in this bill would hamper that ability.”

We disagree. Hochul’s veto isn’t about the ability to move quickly during an emergency, in our opinion. Allowing these contracts allows the government to move quickly – and secretly – during an emergency. A State Police contract to buy land and buildings for $12.2 million, with another $10.8 million spent on more land for a training academy, were both made under the state’s gun violence executive order. The State Police later said the training academy wasn’t needed and withdrew from the purchase. That is no reason, frankly, for the state Comptroller’s Office not to review contracts. Gun violence would happen whether the state acted on the land purchases or not.

There is also no reason, in our opinion, why contracts entered into under an emergency can’t be posted publicly with a link to the relevant emergency declaration, a description of the contract, the terms of the contract. That can be done quickly. The information shouldn’t be secret.

It’s telling that both Republicans and Democrats in the state Legislature backed A.10281/S.9171. They should pass this bill again this year – and override the veto if needed.