A statement from Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo (R,C-New Suffolk)
(Long Island, NY) “I support the so-called rules reform proposal engineered by Assembly Democrats because any step toward transparency in government is a good one. Let me be clear, however, that I am not satisfied with these toothless measures and neither are the people of the State of New York. It took nearly a year for them to create a toothless proposal that is short on substance.
“My Assembly Republican colleagues and I have repeatedly put forth measures to reform the rules and procedures of the New York State Assembly to bring about transparency and hold elected officials accountable. If Assembly Democrats were serious about government reform, 11 months would have yielded measures to enact term limits for legislative leaders and the means to help bring legislation sponsored by one more than half the members of the Assembly for a vote instead of being held in procedural purgatory. The measures voted on this week weren’t exactly revolutionary; essentially they upgraded our website and added a camera to the committee meetings.
“I have consistently supported measures that prevent one individual from obtaining too much power and that allow the will of New Yorkers to be done, however they have routinely been rebuffed by Assembly Democrats. This proposal today did not go far enough in giving the people what they demand and deserve.”
