A statement from Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,C,I-Glen Head) member of the Assembly Ethics Committee and the Legislative Ethics Commission
(Long Island, NY) “Today we took a good step toward combating corruption in Albany – but a small one at that. While the legislation we passed addresses components of the perpetuated problems in the Capitol, we are still not getting at the key themes: term limits to dilute absolute power, pension forfeiture for those who abuse the public trust, and equal allocation of discretionary funds.
“The bill today addressed closing donation loopholes and enforcing outside income restrictions for legislative members, but we need to do more. Time and time again, our conference has introduced real, common-sense solutions that would put an end to the closed-door, business-as-usual approach in the Legislature, and here we are with nothing to show for it.
“The lack of urgency for real ethics reform on the other side of the aisle is frightening, but my colleagues and I will continue to fight for measures that let residents know we’re here in good conscience and we’re working for them.”
