SENATE KICKS OFF LEGISLATIVE SESSION BY ADDRESSING ETHICS REFORM

On the second full day of the 2016 Legislative Session, the Senate approved a term limit bill cosponsored by Senator Patty Ritchie as a way to increase accountability and allow for new, fresh voices and ideas to be part of the lawmaking process.

The measure (S 2722-B) would limit the time a legislator could serve as leader of the Senate and Assembly, as well as chair of a legislative committee.

“Voters are fed up with opening the paper or turning on the news only to hear stories about corruption and unscrupulous behavior from the lawmakers they elect to represent them,” said Senator Ritchie.

“By taking this step at the start of the legislative session, we’re sending a message to the citizens of New York that not only are we rejecting unethical behavior, we’re also taking a step in the right direction to bring sunshine, fresh ideas and accountability to state government.”

Senate rules already limit the terms of the Temporary President and chairs of committees. This bill would extend those limits to both houses of the Legislature.

The Senate also signaled its support for ethics reform by passing legislation last year that would prevent public officials who are convicted of corruption from collecting their taxpayer-funded pensions. The Assembly never took up that measure, despite publicly announcing it would do so.