This quote by Supreme Court Justice Brandeis couldn’t be more applicable to the State of New York, and this week specifically. In a state that has been crippled by corruption stemming from backroom dealings and quid pro quo, a little sunshine would do us a world of good. Each year around this time, my colleagues and I participate in “Sunshine Week.” This week comes in conjunction with the state budget process and is meant to show New Yorkers how the legislative process is both flawed and convoluted.

As a freshman legislator in the Assembly Minority, I am seeing first-hand what is wrong with this process. The entire budget process boils down to what is known as the “Three Men in a Room.” These three men are: the governor, the Speaker of the Assembly and the Senate Majority Leader. These three men are entrusted with the bankroll of New York State and what will be done with that money. It is too much power to place in the hands of three men with no checks or balances, no open discussion, and no real accountability. I should also mention that two of the previous “Three Men in a Room” now sit behind bars in jail cells. There is no way we should leave this much power, and to be fair, such a large responsibility, to only three men.

Sunshine Week is not held specifically to call for transparency in the budget process, but to call for transparency throughout the entire government. This past January, my colleagues and I in the Assembly Minority Conference called for 12 reform items. These 12 items would have helped open the inner-workings of government to the eyes of the public. They would have placed term limits on legislative leaders and forced resolutions to age three days to allow for proper vetting. Unfortunately, these items were blocked and rejected by the Assembly Majority.

This week I encourage my colleagues to do their part and help “shine a light” on the darker side of our government, because without the trust of the people, we are nothing.