Reforming Albany

Greetings,

Last week I announced that the Senate and Assembly had introduced a package of ethics legislation that I pushed forward; today I am very pleased to report that both houses -- the Senate and Assembly -- have passed the package by an overwhelming margin.  I have fought for increased disclosure, enforcement, and independence in Albany since I took office, and by passing this ethics package today, the Senate and Assembly have taken a significant step towards that goal.

When this package becomes law, it will make our state government more transparent by requiring increased income disclosure from legislators, more accountable by restoring an independent ethics commission and making it easier for the State Board of Elections to investigate campaign finance violations, and more honest by closing the "Bruno Gap" in state ethics law and making it illegal for a public officer to use government resources for outside, for-profit business.

To be clear, the package is by no means a silver bullet; there is still more work to be done, but we cannot delay reforming ethics laws any longer. On Monday, the New York Times agreed and wrote: "As State Senator Daniel Squadron, a New York City Democrat, put it, 'It is better to have a good bill than a perfect press release.' But it is only the beginning, however useful, of what must be a sustained, cathartic effort to restore the public trust."

I couldn't agree more.  I worked hard to win the ethics legislation we passed today, and as we carry on the fight to reform Albany and restore New Yorkers' faith in their state government, I am committed to continuing to push for further reforms in our ethics and campaign finance laws.  I appreciate the support and dedication of all New Yorkers who share my goal of meaningful change in our state government.

Sincerely,
Daniel Squadron
State Senator
25th District