Ethics Reform

Three cheers for the New York State Senate passing what looks like serious ethics reform. After years of corruption in Albany, this vote significantly raises the bar of disclosure and accountability for elected officials.

My thanks go to Senators Eric Schneiderman and Daniel Squadron for sponsoring the legislation. What was astonishing was that both houses passed this bill together. Sadly, our Governor has used his VETO power to set it back a few months. I have no doubt there are enough votes in favor to override that VETO.

According to the Senate website, the law requires greater disclosure of outside sources of income for legislators, and activity of lobbyists, restores an independent lobbying commission, and empowers a bipartisan enforcement unit within the New York State Board of Elections to impose strict adherence to campaign finance laws.

I have to echo the sentiments of Senate President Malcolm Smith when he says It is a privilege not a right to serve the people of New York and lawmakers must remember that and uphold the highest of ethical standards. Lawmakers must be held accountable to the people of this state.

I think it's safe to say this swift action comes as a result of the Bruno trial and the Senate leadership debacle of the summer of 2009. The workings of Albany have been shrouded with ethics scandals for decades and the public has had enough. You could call this call to action as the silver lining after much of the obvious distrust of the electorate made their wishes known.

Both houses pushed for a return of the State Commission on Lobbying. Details reveal the demand for increased disclosure requirements for lobbyists who have business relationships with public officials. Sadly, these requirements take effect January 1, 2011. Thankfully, the new commissions overseeing the executive and legislative branches would both take effect this summer.

Prohibiting state employees and legislators from serving as lobbyists for five years is remarkable and should start the public's opinion of state lawmakers toward a more respectable status. Or so we hope.

I think the public would like to see the annual ethics report that the commission will produce as the first year they serve comes to a close. If I find myself serving the citizens of the 39th District come January of 2011, I will gladly disclose all engagements with anyone involved with my campaign and any interaction with persons of interest regarding state affairs.

You can find much more information about these bills, including the full text, at the state's Open Legislation site.