CIVIC GROUPS URGE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO REFORM ETHICS LAWS GOVERNING STATE OFFICIALS

NEW YORK, NY (11/10/2015)(readMedia)-- New York's leading good government organizations will join together to call upon the New York State legislature and governor to complete the job of reforming our laws governing public ethics, preferably convening a special session before the end of 2015.

Three significant developments regarding our state's handling of ethics and corruption have converged together in the past ten days: the unfolding of corruption trials of the two legislative leaders who helped craft much of the recent ethics laws, a new national report out this week again showing New York's dismal standing on public integrity with a D- (minus) grade, and our state's own Ethics Review Commission calling for added reforms. Given these developments, state action is urgently needed now!

"It is past time for the Governor and the Legislature to come together to address the corruption crisis in Albany which these recent events underscore," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY. "The public has moved from disapproval to anger and is demanding that our leaders step up and effect real change."