Senator Kevin Parker unveils Historic Rules Reform Report

Temporary Committee on Rules & Reform takes first significant steps toward reversing 40 years of dysfunction

(Albany, NY) - Today, New York State Senator Kevin Parker who sits on the Temporary Committee on Rules and Administration Reform will unveil a much anticipated report detailing proposals the Senate will take to end the era of dysfunction at a press conference. Over the last 40 years, the previous Majority created a legislative process that stifled debate, eliminated accountability and denied participation from rank and file senators and the general public. In January 2009, the Senate Democratic Conference began the effort to reform the legislative process in the Senate.

"Reform is key to an open and transparent State government," said Senator Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn). "It is imperative that the people of New York State have faith in the system and trust that we will hold ourselves and the Chamber to the highest of standards. Reforming the rules of the Senate will ensure that we are held to those standards and the people of this State will benefit from a more open and accountable legislature."

The recommendations of the report will offer a complete makeover of Senate procedures which will include reduced committees, more ability to force a public hearing, detailed committee reports and will increase the public’s access to the legislative process.

On its first day in the Majority, Senate Democrats created the Temporary Committee to fulfill the promise of delivering a more open, transparent and accountable legislative process in the Senate. Through its recommendations to strengthen the committee process, empower all 62 senators, expand public input and transparency and foster a more fair and inclusive legislative process. The presumed next step will be for the Committee to consider and report back to the full Senate on the following issues: member items; committee consolidation; committee reports; amendments in committee; webcast committee meetings; NY Public Affairs Network; and Ranker budgets.

About Senator Kevin Parker
Senator Kevin S. Parker is committed to restoring the overall quality of life for the constituents of the 21st Senatorial District in Brooklyn. A lifelong Brooklyn resident, Senator Parker has been a Flatbush resident for more than 27 years. Having been nurtured, schooled and employed in the district, Senator Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of this ethnically diverse community that consists of 311,000 constituents in several communities which include: Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington and Borough Park.