Assemblywoman Sandy Galef Introduces Legislation Requiring Governor and Legislators to Stay in Albany Until State Budgets are Adopted As Well As 16 Other Reform Bills

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef is introducing legislation today requiring that all members of the legislature and the governor of New York remain in Albany until a budget is passed. The legislation requires daily meetings of the legislature, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays until the state budget is adopted. It also sets forth that the legislature will convene for a minimum of three hours each day in regular session or conference committees. It would also require the Governor's presence in the capitol complex until the budget passes both houses of the legislature.

"We must take immediate action and demonstrate our resolve in changing the way Albany does business", stated Assemblywoman Galef in explaining why she is introducing the bill. "This is the first step of many that I have called for since 1994 as part of my REFORM NEW YORK legislative package to make government more open, efficient, effective, and fiscally responsible to the citizens of New York."

Assemblywoman Galef is calling on her colleagues to join her in passing the legislation. An identical bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Byron W. Brown (S.7665-A). "It is timely given the recent release of and publicity surrounding the Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law Report declaring that the New York State Legislature is one of the worst in the nation," Assemblywoman Galef said. "Both branches of government, all political parties, every special interest group, and the Governor must band together to make these essential reforms. It is time to pull together as New Yorkers and clean up the mess."

Galef has introduced at least seventeen (17) pieces of legislation to Reform New York. "I would like to emphasize that I have many co-sponsors on many of those bills and some of the bills are identical to the reforms recommended in the Brennan Center Report," Assemblywoman Galef concluded.




Reform NY
2004 Government Reform Initiative

Government Operations Reform

  • Appoint standing committee on conference to resolve differences between similar bills and resolutions and refer bills and resolutions to sub-committees for disposition. (A.6605/S.4129)
  • Carry over bills from first to second year of the legislative session. (A.6307)
  • Allow for distribution of bills in electronically written form to members through a constitutional amendment. (A.6497/S.4128)
  • Limit Senate and Assembly members to one hundred bills per member during the term for which the member has been elected. (A.6305)
  • Reform member item process so that all legislators receive equal amount of appropriations. (A.6330/S.6718)
  • Permit either house of the state legislature to initiate override of gubernatorial veto of a bill. (A.6675)

Campaign and Election Reform

  • Prohibit public officials from using public funds in ways that advance their candidacy for political office. (A.6308/S.7186)
  • Restrict transfer of funds between one political candidate or committee to another candidate or committee. (A.6433)
  • Require campaign finance information to be filed by electronic reporting process to the state board of elections when candidate receives $1,000 or more in contributions. (A.6562)

Open Government

  • Require political committees, conferences and caucuses of legislative bodies to conduct meetings open to the public while conducting public business. (A.6303/S.4565)
  • Create non-partisan five-member apportionment committee to create new legislative districts through a constitutional amendment. (A.6427)

Budget Reform

  • Implement contingency budget (current services budget) if state budget is not passed in timely manner. (A.6500/S.2112)
  • Enact state budget of previous fiscal year if a state budget is not passed in timely manner. (A.6501/S.2291)
  • Change state fiscal year from April 1 through March 31 to May 1 through April 30. (A.6502)
  • Require presence of legislature and governor in the capitol complex, convening daily including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays until a state budget is passed. (Being Introduced in Assembly/S.7665)

Fiscal Policy and Economic Impact Reform

  • Require legislative impact notes to include economic impacts on state, county, local, school and other political entities that the bill may affect. (A.6306)
  • Restrict additional unfunded mandates on local governments until they are fully funded by the state. (A.6310/S.1270)

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