SERINO CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR ETHICS REFORM TO BE A PRIORITY

SERINO CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR ETHICS REFORM TO BE A PRIORITY

ALBANY, NY—Recognizing the need to make ethics reform a priority in the 2016 Legislative Session, Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) announced today that legislation critical to reforming ethics in state government passed in the Senate today.

“I said it last year, and I will say it again, I came to Albany to shake things up,” said Senator Serino. “New Yorkers don’t want to see career politicians monopolizing the governmental process at any level and we’re taking a real step toward reform by sending the message that ‘business as usual’ simply won’t fly.”

The bill (S. 2722B) which would set into law eight-year terms limits for leadership positions in the Senate and Assembly and limits the number of consecutive years a legislator can serve as a committee chair passed in the Senate last year, but died in the Assembly.

The measure is consistent with the Senate Rules which Senator Serino supported as one of her very first actions when she took office last January.

“Restoring the public’s faith in our government needs to be one of our highest priorities this year and that means ethics reform,” said Senator Serino. “There is value in experience, but we cannot go back to a time when state government was dictated by the status quo. Passing this measure again, and right out of the gates, shows just how serious we are about ethics reform and now it’s time for the Assembly to stand up and pass this measure. New Yorkers have waited long enough.”

The bill will be sent to the Assembly where it is sponsored by Assemblywoman Sandy Galef.

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