It’s election season, and 2016 has the potential to be a landmark year for change in NYS. As a result, in the not too distant future, we are going to be bombarded with T.V., mail and radio advertising as to how corruption needs to be fixed. The truth is nothing will change unless the public shows up en masse to vote out the Long Island Republican State Senators who are blocking much needed ethics reform.
During a crisis, like the recent arrests of Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, there are legislative opportunities to create change, because that’s when elected officials are vulnerable to public opinion. However, the biggest opportunity for real and lasting change is during elections. It may not feel that way on a national scale, as analysts discuss which states have more ability to “swing” an election. But in local elections, as in NYS, voters wield tremendous power.
The NYS Republican Party has been in control for all but two of the last 50 years and doesn’t want real ethics reform. If the NYS Senate Republicans remain in the majority this election cycle nothing will change, as they have been adamant about keeping money in politics. The only way to effect change and have real ethics reform is to elect a Democratic NYS Senate majority. Here’s why:
- Term Limits – These have been proposed time and time again but to no avail, because the Republican Senate Majority is against them. I am strongly against career politicians, and I believe term limits are an effective way to stop them, and all the corruption that comes with them.
- Close the LLC Loophole – Corporate entities are limited to a $5000 donation limit. The problem is many large corporations and wealthy individuals have dozens of entities, and donate $5000 from each. This often results in a 6-figure donation by “one entity” or individual. That kind of money ends up dictating the kinds of laws that are good for the donor at the expense of the people. The NYS Republican Senate is adamantly against closing this LLC loophole.
- Limiting Outside Employment – Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver used their political influence and positions to enrich themselves and their families. An outside independent committee should first approve any job or financial transaction that is associated with an elected official. The NYS Senate Republicans don’t support this transparent change.
- Decrease contribution limits from $11,000 to $2700 – $11,000 is the current NYS limit for an individual, while $2700 is the max for a Federal Congressional candidate. That doesn’t seem right, as $11,000 is an amount that could cause undue influence, and $2700 is much less likely to do so. The NYS Senate Republicans would never go for this one either.
- Strip convicted elected officials of their pensions – This reform was passed by the current Legislature but must be approved again by the Legislature next year and then by the voting public in 2017. Many candidates are running on this sound bite, but the heavy lifting has already been done.
In the last 15 years, more than 30 NYS legislators have left office facing criminal or ethical allegations. Albany ethics won’t change until current legislators install term limits and get money out of politics. The NYS Republican Party has been in control for all but two of the last 50 years and doesn’t want real ethics reform. The time for real ethics reform is on Election Day, November 8th. I hope to be elected on that day and be the agent for change.