State Senate Democrats will revamp chamber’s Ethics Committee

“A fully living, breathing, healthy committee is one that reviews legislation that pertains to its topic of interest,” said freshman Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx), the new ethics chair. “It sends a signal not only to the Legislature but to the public that this is a committee that’s taking seriously its responsibilities.”

“Sen. Biaggi specifically asked to chair the Ethics Committee and asked for broader authority of the role of the Ethics Committee in working on legislation, and she was told yes and yes,” said Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), the Democrat who has arguably been the most vocal supporter of reform issues in recent years. “And I take it as a very good sign that we’re serious about this.”

“The fact that I want this committee to meet regularly will mean it’s done more than it’s done in the past ten years, which is not something to be proud of,” said Biaggi. “So this is the floor, not the ceiling, of the success of this committee.”