Statement By senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson And Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos

Ethics reform legislation is critically needed and the Senate, as a whole, remains committed to enacting laws that strengthen oversight and accountability. Legislation that was before the Senate  today incorporated many proposals that would be a significant step toward restoring public confidence in state government.

The debate on ethics reform today was spirited at times, and many issues were raised that need to be addressed.  After the debate, we met and resolved that both conferences work together in a bipartisan fashion to present legislation that the Assembly can support and the Governor can sign.  It is our intent that the state’s ethics laws must ensure that the Governor, legislators and other state officers are held accountable to the highest ethical standards.

By making needed  improvements to legislation that Senator Squadron, Senator Bonacic and others have sponsored that has already passed the Assembly, we can achieve those goals and begin to restore people’s confidence in state government.