Politics on the Hudson

As lawmakers applauded the passage of an ethics reform bill today, Gov. David Paterson said he would veto the measure and encouraged them to work with him on a bill “that I will sign.”

To that, Senate Democrats said they would seek an override of a veto.

“The Senate is prepared to override the Governor’s veto and deliver the ethics reform we need to give New York the government it deserves,” said Austin Shafran, spokesman for the Senate Majority Conference.

Paterson is reiterating what aides said last week that he would not support the ethics reform bill backed by the Legislature. The Senate wrapped up a lengthy debate on the bill about an hour ago, passing it 59-1, with Sen. Ruben Diaz, D-Bronx, as the only no vote.

“While there are some good aspects of the ethics bill passed today by the legislature, it does not go far enough to address the underlying issues that have caused the people of New York to lose faith and trust in their government,” Paterson said in a statement. “It is for this reason that I will veto this bill once it has been delivered to my desk. What is now in the best interest of all New Yorkers is for the leaders of the legislature to work with me on a five-way agreement that can pass both houses and that I will sign.”

Paterson’s main complaint is that the Legislature’s plan still leaves the oversight of lawmakers with a board appointed by the legislative leaders themselves, thus not making it independent. Paterson wants a separate panel to appoint the members, and he’s also proposed term limits and lower campaign-finance contribution limits.

Still, lawmakers said the proposal—which passed with bi-partisan support after Senate Republicans offered several amendments that were rejected by Democrats—is a positive step toward ending the scandals that have rocked the Capitol in the recent years.

“I have pushed for increased disclosure, enforcement, and independence in Albany since I took office, and by passing this ethics package today, the Senate has taken a significant step towards that goal,” Sen. Daniel Squadron, D-Brooklyn, said in a statement.

“Public officials must be held accountable to those they serve – the citizens of New York State,” said Assemblyman William Magnarelli, D-Syracuse. “Through comprehensive ethics and lobbying reform we will help enforce adherence to the law and weed out those who may be taking advantage of the system.”

The bill has drawn mixed reaction from good-government groups.

Lawmakers, for the first time, would require the Legislature to disclose ranges of income from outside business dealings. Currently, they do not have to disclose publicly the range of outside income they receive. Lobbyists would also have to disclose any payments to legislators.

The plan would scrap the Legislative Ethics Commission and the state Commission on Public Integrity, which have been criticized for ineffectiveness. The measure would create separate boards to oversee the executive and legislative branches of government and lobbying activities. It would also create an enforcement unit within the state Board of Elections to crack down on campaign-finance violations.

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