Originally Published: June 6, 2011
Statement by Dick Dadey, Executive Director
With the crime wave of public corruption in our state government having tripled in the past six years, the formal announcement today by Governor Cuomo, Speaker Silver and Majority Leader Skelos that an agreement exists on a broad ethics package is welcomed news.
This set of reforms is without a doubt significant and momentous. Since it contains several historic firsts, this legislation has the potential to have a game-changing effect on the ethical culture in Albany.
Many of the state legislators serving today do so with a great deal of integrity, but this soon-to-be law will bolster the good and honest work of these fine public servants who each and every day serve the public interest.
Information previously shielded from the public – like outside clients and amounts of outside income earned – will lift a veil on the currently unknown relationships between legislators and their business interests. Sunlight will now be shed into formerly dark corners and hopefully end the practice where public service, and the access it provides, has been used for private gain.
Citizens Union is pleased to see the following elements in the bill:
- First-ever disclosure of certain clients and customers of legislators who have business before the state.
- Ranges of legislators’ outside income will now be disclosed more narrowly and made publicly available.
- Reconfiguration of state ethics panel with no one elected official controlling the majority of the appointments, striking a balance between independence and accountability, a welcome change from the current structure where the Governor controls a majority of the appointments.
- First-ever external oversight of legislative ethics with the new joint commission gaining jurisdiction to investigate alleged ethical misconduct or criminal conduct by legislators or legislative employees.
- Expansion of the definition of lobbying to capture previously unreported activity before a bill or resolution is introduced.
- First-ever disclosure of certain contributors to 501c4 organizations and other entities engaged in lobbying activity.
- First-ever disclosure by lobbyists of business relationships with elected officials.
- Creation of a new database tracking all contact with state agencies as a backdoor check on legislators and representation of clients with business before the state.
- First-ever judicial process for possible pension forfeiture of those convicted of criminal charges or found guilty of ethical misconduct.
- New disclosure of, and reporting requirements for, independent campaign expenditures.
- Mandated review of the new ethics law to determine its effectiveness and propose any needed changes.
Citizens Union congratulates the Governor, Speaker and Majority Leader for their diligent work and leadership in finding the common ground necessary to reach agreement on a much needed reform. We stand with them in urging passage of this important piece of legislation.