NY A.G. Schneiderman Proposes Bill to End Corruption in Albany

New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has proposed a set of reforms to end corruption in the state legislature. He stood alongside advocates on the steps of Tweed Court House in Lower Manhattan as he outlined his ambitious goals to reform state government before the end of this year's legislative session.

Schneiderman's bill follows the recent federal corruption charges against former State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos.

"It's time to end the parade of prosecutions and restore people's faith in their government," Schneiderman says.

The omnibus legislation would circumvent incremental ethics reforms that only "tinker around the edges," according to Schneiderman. He favors a bold approach with three major criteria: Reforms to Legislature, Criminal Law Reforms, and Campaign Finance Reforms.

The bill includes notbale provisions such as a ban on outside income for state legislators, an increase in legislative salaries and increase from two- to four-year terms for state legislators. It would also establish criminal jurisdiction for the Attorney General's office to prosecute public corruption and restrict campaign contributions. The bill would specifically address a loophole in campaign funding regualtions that allows limited liability corporations (LLC's) to siphon virtually unlimited sums of money into campaign funds. 

Schneiderman says, "The corruption we're seeing in New York State government...taints the honorable work being done by the lion's share of public officials."

He says his legislation aims to depoliticize New York State legislature, which he says would encourage lawmakers to concern themselves with governing justly and effectively. 

 

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