Today, Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello (R,C,I,Ref-Niagara Falls) is calling on the Assembly Majority to advance the Public Officers Accountability Act (A.3945) to the floor for a vote. This legislation would enact various ethics-related reforms to restore accountability in New York state government. This bill is currently being held in the Governmental Operation Committee and will likely remain there without action.

This comprehensive bill package would introduce eight-year term limits for legislative leaders and committee chairs. It would also implement a new five-member Commission on Official Conduct to assume the responsibilities of separate investigative authorities like The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) and The Office of the State Inspector General. It would also end bid-rigging, limit pay-to-play politics and special interest influence in campaigns, and require an official to return campaign funds to donors if convicted of a felony.

“During my tenure as assemblyman, I’ve been a staunch advocate for legislation to restore trust in government, and the ethics reforms laid out in this bill are just what Albany needs,” said Morinello. “For years, our Conference has worked toward real solutions to help clean up corruption in Albany, yet members of the Majority refuse to recognize our efforts and leave our bill stagnant in committee. With this bill, we can begin challenging the status-quo and working to ensure every state official is behaving morally and ethically. I’m proud to support this groundbreaking legislation and urge my colleagues in the Majority to advance it through committee to a vote on the floor.”