With the sentencing of former Speaker Sheldon Silver on Tuesday, there is no doubt the focus of New York’s residents will be squarely on ethics reforms. We may also be lucky enough to see legislators from the Assembly Majority emerge from the shadows and call for reform. Do not let this sudden change of heart fool you. It is their wallets, not their conscience talking, telling them if they don’t make an appeal for change now, the question will arise come October and November on the campaign trail.

A recent Siena poll showed that approximately 97 percent of New Yorkers believe legislative ethics reforms should be passed before session concludes in June. Let us not forget which conference has been on the forefront of advocacy for ethics and rules reforms within the Legislature. The Assembly Minority Conference and I have continuously pushed for pension forfeiture and term limits for legislative leadership positions, and we have been continually halted by the Assembly Majority.

However, two new investigations, one by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara and one by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, into programs such as the “Buffalo Billion” and SUNY Polytechnic have only spurred my colleagues and me forward as we unveil yet another plan to combat the corruption that infects Albany. Our first course of action must be to take big business out of politics and return the power to the people of New York State. We must begin by limiting the amount a single donor may contribute to the campaign of a candidate or a state, county or local political committee. This will help combat the issue of buying elections, which we see all too often.

We must also begin reviewing how the state handles the issue of donations after companies are awarded contracts with the state. According to reports, around $100,000 was contributed to Gov. Cuomo’s re-election campaign in 2014 around the time that same contributor had a bid for a state contract active. To nobody’s surprise, that contributor won the state contact. I would like to see a one-year ban on donations from individuals, businesses and corporations to a state official or entity should they be awarded a state contract. This would be a welcomed deterrent to kickbacks being provided in exchange for rigging bids.

These are simple, bi-partisan plans what would only better the way in which our Legislature operates. My colleagues and I have laid our ethics cards on the table and it is time the Assembly Majority played them instead of playing the people of New York. I welcome your thoughts on ethics reforms or any other legislative matter. Please contact me by emailing blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us or by calling my office at 315-493-3909.