Friday, August 27, 2021

Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 8/23/21-8/27/21

 

Senator Alessandra Biaggi

Dear Community,

In the wake of former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation from our state’s highest office, there has never been a more urgent moment to reform our system of ethics. On Wednesday, just one full day into Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration, I led a public hearing to examine New York State’s system of ethics oversight and enforcement, with a particular focus on the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE). Despite the timeliness of the hearing, it is no secret to many that Albany has a long history riddled with corruption and abuses of power.

Established almost ten years ago as part of the Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011, JCOPE was created to restore public trust in government. Yet since its creation, there has only been rising concern about JCOPE’s neutrality and ability to act as an independent body. Rather than fulfill its responsibilities of ethics oversight and enforcement, JCOPE helped sustain a long history of corruption and abuse in Albany instead. 

During the hearing, we heard testimony from the Judge Sanford Berland, the Executive Director of JCOPE, Julie Garcia, a former JCOPE Commissioner, two State Senators from Alaska and Rhode Island, Erica Vladimer from the Sexual Harassment Working Group, and several good government groups who are committed to bringing transparency and integrity to our state government. I want to thank everyone who testified, especially Julie Garcia, former JCOPE commissioner, for her candor and bravery. 

Just one day after our ethics hearing, we finally saw some accountability. On Thursday, during a public meeting, JCOPE referred a criminal investigation to the Attorney General’s office into the alleged leak from someone in JCOPE to former Governor Cuomo about the commission's private vote over the matter of Joe Percoco. JCOPE also referred an investigation into the state Inspector General’s investigation into that alleged leak. My hope is that we will continue to see such transparency and accountability from JCOPE, and from every state government official.

Moving forward, it is imperative that the Legislature lead not with words, but with action and pass sweeping ethics and oversight reform. Senator Krueger has introduced legislation (S855) to amend our constitution to abolish JCOPE and the Legislative Ethics Commission in order to rebuild an entirely new ethics commission. Due to the length of time required to amend the constitution, I introduced legislation (S6964A) to reform some of the fundamental flaws within JCOPE— addressing the partisan appointment process and the Commission’s minority veto. My hope is that in the next legislative session, we are able to pass these reforms. 

If you missed the hearing and would like to watch the archived video, you can watch here. You can also read our Twitter thread with highlights from the hearing here.

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

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