Last year's budget was estimated to have about $90 million of member items.

In Albany, by contrast, the member items are kept secret.

All future member items will face the same review, he said.

Feelings about "member items" among the Council members seems to be mixed.

The grants, known as member items, have existed for years.

Our concern all along has been with the process behind the member items.

He said state grants to religious schools other than member items would not be affected.

The Mayor said the budget included at least $16 million in member items.

The several hundred member items last year amounted to at least $150 million.

Despite their reputation, many member items provide an economic shot in the arm for communities of all sizes.