Stirpe: The days of legislators policing themselves are over

(Jan. 20, 2010)“Today the Assembly passed groundbreaking ethics reform to create independent oversight of legislators and the executive branch, enhance enforcement, and shine more light on Albany. The days of legislators policing themselves are over. For the first time, members of the Assembly and Senate will have to reveal their outside income and provide more detailed financial disclosure reports.

“We will also post financial disclosure reports online – eliminating the need for the public and the media to FOIL them – and require lobbyists and clients of lobbyists to disclose business relationships with New York State.

“The time has come to lift the veil of secrecy that has blanketed Albany for far too long. Scandal after scandal, the Joe Bruno Trial and Senate Coup have left the public disillusioned and disheartened. By passing ethics reform, we are taking an important step forward in regaining the public’s trust. I urge the Senate to follow suit and pass this bill and I implore Governor Paterson to sign ethics reform into law.”

Stirpe: The days of legislators policing themselves are over

M3P Media LLC © 2009