Addabbo Statement on Ethics Reform Bill: The Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011

Queens, NY, June 14, 2011 –  NYS Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr., (D-Queens) released the following statement on the ethics reform bill passed yesterday: 

The Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011 is a step in the right direction for ethics reform in Albany and towards restoring faith and public trust in our government. After advocating for ethics and campaign reform ever since I was elected to the Senate, I believe this is a good initial bill, but I know we can do more in the state legislature. Since the ethics issue is one that has traditionally plagued our state government, I will continue to promote the need for improved campaign finance reform and independent redistricting to create a more transparent and equitable government for the people of this state. 

This ethics reform bill only allows for penalizing the state pensions for future elected officials convicted of crimes related to their government role. This bill should have included current elected officials in this category.  

Did the desperate need for ethics reform set the standard so low that any bill, no matter how mediocre, would have been an improvement? Only time will tell with the implementation of the this Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011.

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