Ethics overhaul signed into law

Last month, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Public Integrity Act of 2011 into law in an effort to address problems in Albany, shed light on the legislative process and bring confidence back to state government.
Of the ethics reforms, the act will require comprehensive disclosure from state officials – including lawyers – regarding the outside clients and customers they provide services to, eliminate pay-to-play, strip public officials convicted of felonies involving public corruption of their taxpayer funded pension, more detailed disclosure of outside sources of income and more.
“By changing the way Albany does business, the people’s business will get done,” said Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, an advocate of the new law. “For decades, the Capitol operated under a veil of secrecy that prevented the public from seeing who their representatives work for: constituents or special interests. These reforms will bring the process out into the light and allow New Yorkers to hold politicians accountable for their actions.”
Stavisky hopes that the passage of the Public Integrity Act will help push the issue of campaign finance reform as the next topic to be addressed in Albany.
“We need to close the loopholes that allow politicians to personally benefit from the donations of hardworking New Yorkers,” said Stavisky.