Good Government Groups Call for Ethics and Rules Changes as Assembly Picks New Speaker

Urge Lawmakers to Seize Opportunity to Restore Public's Faith in State Government

ALBANY, NY (02/02/2015) – Today, representatives of New York’s leading good government watchdog groups, the Brennan Center for Justice, Citizens Union, Common Cause/NY, the League of Women Voters and NYPIRG, responding to the disappointing process on display this past week leading to the selection of a new Assembly Speaker, urged the members of the Assembly to use this historic opportunity to pass long-overdue reforms that would transform how it conducts business.

The groups released a letter, also signed by Reinvent Albany, which was sent to all members of the Assembly last week. In it, they outlined reforms needed to ensure that all members, including the rank and file, have the opportunity to provide meaningful representation to their constituents in an effectively functioning, transparent legislature. Such changes are needed to assure New Yorkers that the Assembly is serious about eliminating corruption.