News from Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb
Assembly Office:
933 Legislative Office Building • Albany, NY 12248 • (518) 455-3751
District Offices:
607 West Washington Street • Suite 2 • Geneva, NY 14456 • (315) 781-2030
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For Release: IMMEDIATELY, March 4, 2015
Contact: Nick Wilock, 518-878-6568
Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb Introduces Sweeping Reform Proposals
Leader Kolb and Assembly Minority Conference introduce "Open, Accountable & Transparent" Assembly Rules Reform package in effort to bring greater accountability and transparency to state legislature

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New York State Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) and his Assembly Minority Colleagues today called for an immediate vote on proposals that will reform and shake up Assembly operations after a string of corruption scandals in Albany. These proposals are being offered in an effort to bring an "Open, Accountable & Transparent" process back to the state Assembly.

Leader Kolb, who has been a longtime advocate of openness and increased accountability in the state legislature, introduced his latest reform package following decades of abuse of power by some elected officials in the state legislature.

"While sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants, it's also true that openness, accountability and transparency are the best ways to restore faith in state government," said Leader Kolb. "The Assembly Minority Conference has always advocated for bringing greater transparency to the state legislature. For far too long, however, there's been a lack of transparency and an abuse of power by elected officials. The reform proposals that the Assembly Minority Conference put forth today are fair and needed to help improve how our institution conducts its operations.

"I strongly encourage and welcome Assembly Majority members to join us in passing these common-sense proposals to reform the state Assembly. That will be a show of bi-partisanship New Yorkers expect and deserve," Leader Kolb continued.

Leader Kolb outlined 17 reform proposals that would bring greater accountability, fairness and transparency to state Assembly operations. Included in the plan are proposals to:

  • Enact eight year term limits for Legislative Leaders;

  • Enact eight year term limits on Speaker of the Assembly;

  • Televise standing committee meetings, record all committee meetings and make available on the Assembly website;

  • Allow each member of the Assembly to have at least one substantive piece of legislation move from committee and brought to the Assembly for a vote; and

  • Enact eight year term limits for committee Chairpersons.

Leader Kolb said he is confident these reform proposals will help prevent future abuses of power by elected officials while giving the public greater access and awareness to how the Assembly is conducting its business.

"Let's give all New Yorkers an early victory by passing these meaningful reforms so we can continue our fight to win back the public's trust," concluded Leader Kolb.

Editor's Note: A jpg of New York State Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb at the event is available at: http://ppl.ug/2xk61TQH9go/.

Please see attachment for a full list of reform proposals introduced today: http://ppl.ug/0WTR1Gw5xaM/.