Ethics reform appears dead as New York lawmakers near end of session – Times Union
[…] lawmakers approved a flurry of bills pertaining to everything from creating a terrorist registry list to requiring that dogs and cats used as experimental subjects by state-funded research facilities be put up for adoption if they don’t have to be euthanized. The lack of action created proposals for a second one-year extension of state control of NYRA, which holds the franchise to operate thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Sprints, Belmont and Aqueduct. […] there were the good-government advocates, including Bartoletti, who showed up at noontime to erupt over a lack of movement on ethics reform, specifically closure of the so-called limited liability company loophole; new curbs on lawmakers’ outside income; and greater transparency for state budgeting. The advocates were far less interested in legislation that would tighten the definition of improper coordination between candidates and independent expenditure groups, a late proposal by Cuomo. Cuomo maintained in a letter to lawmakers sent Monday that the more comprehensive ethics reforms remain on his to-do list. Education policy, which has been controversial at the Capitol for years, also had its day on Tuesday, with the Senate Democratic majority faction advocating for Republican legislation that would stave off financial penalties for school districts that don’t yet have their retooled teacher evaluation systems in place. Amid the bustle of activity and gossip — and Cuomo’s absence from the Capitol for most of the day — lawmakers, lobbyists and advocates wondered what would be wrapped up in the sort of end-of-session omnibus agreement known as a “big ugly.”
Source: Ethics reform appears dead as New York lawmakers near end of session – Times Union
Posted: June 15th, 2016 under General News, State Government News, State Legislator News.