Lupinacci: Assembly Misses Opportunity For Serious Ethics Reforms

Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci (R,C,I-South Huntington) voted in favor of the Assembly’s rules reforms yesterday, but not without the feeling that New Yorkers had missed out. While the Assembly’s ethics reforms do assist in bringing transparency to committee meetings, a majority of the proposed reforms are merely procedural and will not address the root causes of corruption in Albany.

“This is a step in the right direction,” said Lupinacci. “However, an opportunity to make a truly monumental statement was missed by the Assembly Majority in this proposal. The absence of pension forfeiture and term limits severely diminishes the impact this year-long ethics task force made.”

For years, the Assembly Minority has recommended rules changes and ethics reforms that would change the atmosphere of Albany for the better. Ensuring those convicted of felonies related to their position in office lose their pension and the prevention of stagnation in legislative leadership positions have been at the foundation of the Assembly Minority Conference’s ethics agenda.

“I want to ensure we do the best job possible for our constituents while in Albany,” said Lupinacci. “They deserve a Legislature that is honest, efficient and accountable. Unfortunately, the lack of these two meaningful components has taken some of the bite out of the recent reform resolution. My conference’s hope is to continue pressing the importance of true ethics reform, and restore our Legislature to a body every New Yorker can be proud of.”

Editor’s Note: Click here for Assembly Minority ethics reforms video.