SENATOR BONACIC INTRODUCES CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR BAN ON INCOME FROM OUTSIDE ACTIVE EMPLOYMENT

(Albany, NY)-State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I – Mt. Hope) has introduced a proposed constitutional amendment (S.6356 of 2016) which would ban members of the legislature from receiving income from outside active employment.  Additionally, this constitutional amendment would provide additional stability for legislators by extending their term of office to four years from two years currently.

“Numerous government reform organizations throughout New York State have called for limiting outside income for members of the legislature in order to restrict the potential for conflicts of interest and unethical behavior by legislators who are seeking to enrich themselves,” said Bonacic. “This constitutional amendment proposes to address these concerns by banning income from outside active employment for members of the legislature, while providing additional stability for legislators by extending their term of office to four years.”

Further, the accompanying enacting legislation will provide that the Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation will be empowered to set the definition of “outside active employment” and the types of prohibited income for members of the legislature.