ONE STEP CLOSER TO ENSURING CORRUPT POLITICIANS NO LONGER RECEIVE TAXPAYER FUNDED PENSIONS

ALBANY, NY—Stripping corrupt politicians of their taxpayer-funded pensions has long remained one of the highest priorities of Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) who, today, proudly announced that the measure has finally cleared the Legislature. 

“No public officer convicted of a corruption deserves a single penny of a taxpayer-funded pension. Not one single penny,” said Serino. “Nearly every corruption scandal in recent history has centered around money. If we want to put an end to Albany’s pervasive culture of corruption, it’s important to hit crooked politicians where it hurts—their wallets. The people of New York have fiercely demanded ethics reform and this is where it starts. Having championed this measure since taking office, I am incredibly proud to see it realized tonight.”

Under existing law, officials elected after 2011, such as Senator Serino, lose their pension if convicted of a felony crime. As recent convictions prove, that’s just not enough. That’s why for the last two years, Senator Serino pushed to pass a constitutional amendment that would require public pension forfeiture for anyone convicted of a felony, regardless of when they first took office. The Assembly failed to pass this measure.

Early this morning however, the legislature adopted a joint resolution that will prohibit any public officer convicted of a crime related to their public office from collecting a pension earned during their ‘public service.’ The measure was adopted as part of a comprehensive ethics reform package which includes means to restore the public’s trust in their government, increase transparency and reduce the impact of special interests in elections. To become law, the measure will need to pass through the Legislature once more and be approved by the voters of New York State.

Serino whose on-line petition in support of pension forfeiture garnered nearly 800 signatures, continued saying, “A government simply cannot function without the trust of its people and tonight, we took an incredible step forward in rebuilding that critical confidence.”

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