After passing pension forfeiture legislation in January, Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello (R,C,I,Ref-Niagara Falls) aims to refocus the conversation around what he’s calling “the most crippling problem facing New York State” - ethics reform. This week, Morinello fulfilled his first campaign promise and introduced the toughest anti-corruption legislation in New York State history. This bill contains new and enhanced components that Morinello says will place the ball in the State Legislature’s court, and force them to decide if they share his will and urgency to clean up Albany.

Morinello has made ethics reform a priority by drafting this legislation, discussing it with good government groups and other stakeholders over the last two months.

Morinello’s legislation is made up of multiple components which would combat corruption from all angles. The first component of the bill includes amending Section 74 of the Public Officers Law, increasing the fine for misuse of state resources from $10,000 to $40,000.

“This ethics reform legislation is as much about changing the culture of Albany as it is about punishing those who break the rules,” said Morinello. “Silver and Skelos being led out of Albany in handcuffs epitomizes why Albany is the most corrupt state in the country, and why this legislation is so important. It is important for those who break public trust to pay the consequences; we want to deter individuals from breaking the law in the first place.”

The second section of the bill includes term limits for legislative leadership positions. This bill would limit legislative leadership and committee chair positions to a term of eight years in an effort to combat entrenchment. The third provision would lower the political contribution limit from $100,000 to $10,000 maximum. Decreasing the amount allowed to be contributed would help level the playing field and take big money out of politics.

Finally, in an effort to end bid-rigging, this legislation would place a one-year ban on donations to state officials, political committees or independent expenditure groups by applicants rewarded state contracts. Additionally, once an applicant submits an RFP (Request for Proposal bid) they must notify who they made contributions to. Contributions made within the previous 365 days (one-year look back provision) must be refunded in full. This provision would mandate a two-year period limiting any conflicts of interest.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” said Morinello. “We can’t afford to tackle the issue of corruption at half speed. If it’s not stamped out swiftly, it is sure to rear its ugly head time and time again. I encourage all of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to join me in this fight, because we are going to need everyone to defeat it.

“Cleaning up corruption should be a right vs. wrong issue and should be embraced by all elected officials. There are men and women across this state working their tails off to do right by their families and neighbors and it’s about time Albany does right by them.”