Even as their bipartisan ethics reform stalled this week, vetoed by Gov. David Paterson, Republican and Democratic senators accused each other of hypocrisy and impropriety, making an override unlikely.
The governor, who said the legislation didn’t go far enough, sent letters Wednesday to party leaders in the Senate and Assembly inviting them to negotiate a transparent ethics system that ends “the disproportionate influence” of special interests and lobbyists in Albany.
Earlier Wednesday, the Senate Democratic Conference issued a statement accusing Republicans of “blatant hypocrisy” for finding fault with the bill they voted for before Paterson’s veto.
Conference spokesman Austin Shafran called Republican criticism a “desperate attempt to rewrite their own history of ethical failure.”
On Tuesday, Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos said his party members, now in the Senate minority, wanted to work with Paterson to improve the bill and add independent ethics enforcement instead of leaving it to Democratic counsel.
“In fact, on the day the Senate passed the ethics bill, we offered three amendments to improve it,” Skelos said. “However, every Senate Democrat voted to reject our proposals.”
Senate Republican spokesman John McArdle added Wednesday it was “unfortunate” the Democrats are refusing to develop a stronger ethics bill.
In announcing his veto, Paterson said the bill didn’t do enough to address the “corrosive effects of outside influence and internal decay” that have caused New Yorkers to lose faith in their government.
The bill would require more disclosures and subject the financial reports of lawmakers and lobbyists to random reviews for accuracy; establish a new legislative ethics office of non-legislators; and let campaign finance enforcement counsel initiate investigations.
Meanwhile, Paterson’s office declined to say Wednesday whether he will sign or veto another ethics bill that would make it illegal for the governor, lawmakers, trial court judges and other public officers and state workers in New York to use state resources for personal or campaign business.
Sponsors said current law does not explicitly prohibit mixing state and private business. Their bill would ban the practice, also making it felony fraud when it involves taking more than $1,000 of government property or services.
That bill, which passed the Senate by voice vote and the Assembly 142-0 in January, reached Paterson’s desk Wednesday. He has 10 days to make his decision, spokesman Morgan Hook said.
Local News
ALBANY: Barbs fly as bipartisan ethics bill stalls
- Local News
-
-
State senator, wife beaten at Seneca Niagara Casino
A state senator and his wife were attacked and beaten and a casino “shareholder” was arrested after one or more incidents at the Seneca Niagara Casino Friday night.
- Staff cuts, large tax increase being considered to fill N-W's $10.M deficit
-
Police searching for jewelry thief caught on tape
-
Falls cops arrest pot and heroin dealers
-
Child run over be car on Niagara Avenue
Falls Traffic Division investigators said an 11-year-old boy was struck after he darted into the street, in front of a car as it pulled away from a stop sign.
-
Gerber resigns from SPCA board; calls for adding veterinarian to staff
A Town of Niagara veterinarian and long-time member of the SPCA of Niagara Board of Directors has stepped down.
Dr. William Gerber submitted his resignation on Tuesday. It was effective immediately. -
Militello paid $50K to leave Niagara-Wheatfield
Former Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Carl Militello is receiving a $50,000 from the district, according to a separation settlement agreed to on Feb. 1.
-
Joseph Davis State Park gets some green
Officials in the Town of Lewiston received approval Thursday to spend a significant portion of the community’s incoming greenway funds on the redevelopment of Joseph Davis State Park.
-
Has NYPA relicensing agreement led to a revival?
A state senator is calling for an audit of the low-cost power and cash used in the last seven years by Niagara County entities that have shared in the benefits of the 50-year relicensing agreement with the New York Power Authority.
-
Autopsy unable to determine cause or time of Judith Burr’s death
An autopsy by an Erie County Medical Examiner has failed to determine either the time of death or the cause of death of Judith Burr.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
