Community Corner
SILVER'S OUSTER PRESENTS OPPORTUNITY FOR MAJOR ETHICS REFORMS
NY Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver forced out after arrest for bribery and extortion; provides opportunity for ethics reform in Albany.
Assemblyman Andrew Garbarino (R,C,I-Sayville) is pushing for major ethics reforms in the wake of Sheldon Silver being forced out of the Speaker position. Silver, who was arrested last week on felony charges of bribery and extortion, was the major roadblock to meaningful ethics reform. With Silver on his way out, the best opportunity to truly reform state government is now staring state legislators in the face. Garbarino wants to use this opportunity to pass the Public Officer’s Accountability Act, which is the most comprehensive anti-corruption package in the state.
“Today is a new day in state government. Sheldon Silver is being forced out of his position as Speaker, and this news represents the greatest opportunity to truly reform Albany in a long time,” said Garbarino. “Silver blocked numerous ethics reforms, and now that he is out of the way, we must elect a speaker who will allow these reforms to be passed. The Public Officer’s Accountability Act is the most comprehensive reform package, and passing it should be the Assembly’s first priority to combat corruption.”
The Public Officer’s Accountability Act contains the following provisions:
Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
· Forfeiture of campaign contributions by an elected official convicted of a felony offense related to his or her official duties.
· Implement eight-year term limits for legislative leaders and committee chairs.
Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
· Require itemized appropriations for any discretionary request by the Governor or Legislature; Require the governor or a legislator to submit a form to the attorney general indicating no conflict of interest; Prohibit any appropriation when a conflict of interest exists; including appropriations to organizations that employ or compensate the governor, a legislator, or any family member or person sharing a home with the governor or a legislator.
· Establish a new, five-member Commission on Official Conduct that assumes the duties of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE), the State Inspector General, and the former Temporary State Commission of Investigation.
· Create the new crime of Failure to Report Corruption.
In addition, Garbarino also supports legislation to remove pensions from public officials convicted of corruption.
