Reform Package Attempts to Close 'Bruno Gap' in Ethic Laws

Senator Daniel Squadron described how the ethics reforms package [Bill S06064 and S06157] he is sponsoring with Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson would assist in stopping the alleged corruption that placed former Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno on trial.

The "Squadron/Sampson package" received support from the Citizens Union of the City of New York, Common Cause, the League of Women Voters of New York State, the New York Public Interest Research Group and various other good government and reform groups across the state.

The reform package would institute these reforms:

• New reporting requirements for consulting services
• Increased transparency of public officials' business dealing with lobbyists
• Increased financial disclosure
• Independent investigations
• Random reviews of disclosure forms

Leaders meeting

Legislative leaders, meeting with Gov. David A. Paterson and Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch this morning in the Capitol, recommitted themselves to working together to cut the state's budget deficit. The leaders used the meeting to air concerns over last Thursday's proposal by the governor to cut $5 billion from the budget over the next two years.

Senate Democratic Conference Leader John L. Sampson, D—Brooklyn, said his colleagues agree with many of the proposed cuts, but fear how the $500 million cut to state agencies will impact SUNY and CUNY. The $500 million cut amounts to a 10 percent reduction in agency budgets. SUNY itself would face a $90 million cut.

Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos, R—Rockville Centre, said that Republicans are concerned that the mid-year cuts in school aid are geographically disproportional. Skelos expressed his opposition to any new taxes, jumping on yesterday's interview on WNYC in which the governor floated the idea of a soda tax.

The governor backed away from the soda tax at today's meeting, saying the state wouldn't collect the taxes in time to meet payments in mid-December to schools, municipalities and others.

Paterson also shot down a recommendation from Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, R—Canandaigua, that the state dip into its rainy day fund.

Sampson to discuss Monserrate's fate

New York state Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson will hold a press conference at 3 p.m. today in New York City to discuss the a 9-member Senate committee that will decide the fate of Sen. Hiram Monserrate.

Monserrate was recently found guilty of misdemeanor assault against his girlfriend. Several state Democrats and U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer have asked him to step down.

You can watch live footage of the press conference here: http://www.livestream.com/nysenate

UPDATE 3:50 P.M.
Sen. Eric Schneiderman will chair a committee to decide the fate of Sen. Hiram Monserrate who was found guilty of a misdemeanor charge of assaulting his girlfriend. The other Democratic members will be: Sens. Diane Savino, Ruth Hassell-Thompson, Toby Ann Stavisky and Andrea Stewart Cousins.

The Republican Senate conference has not named its four members.

Monserrate said he would comply with the committee's decision.