Common Cause/NY Statement on Governor Cuomo's State of the State

NEW YORK, NY (01/13/2016)(readMedia)-- Common Cause/NY Statement on Governor Cuomo's State of the State

In response to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's State of the State address, Common Cause/NY issued the following statement:

"The Governor's rhetoric is a rebuke to the systematic corruption that now defines New York State politics. Two juries have made clear that the Albany status quo is not only unacceptable, it's criminal. We need a robust commitment to comprehensive reform, which at the minimum includes the Clean Conscience pledge to limit/ban outside income, close the LLC loophole, and increase transparency in discretionary funding. Two out of three is not enough. We will not allow ethics reform to be buried. Talk is cheap, New Yorkers expect results. It's time to get to work," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY.

Background

Last week on the first day of the new legislative session, Common Cause/NY, NYPIRG, and Citizens Union called on all 213 members of the Legislature and the Governor to sign the "Clean Conscience Pledge" and address the political crime wave in Albany.

The pledge includes three reforms:

1. Close the LLC loophole

2. Ban or limit outside income

3. Transparency in discretionary funds

To date, 20 lawmakers have signed on. The public can view the full pledge and get regular updates by going to: ethicspledgeny.org.