Paterson for New York

* by New York State Office of the Governor

ALBANY, NY (02/03/2010)-- Governor David A. Paterson today sent the following letter to Legislative Leaders:

Dear Honorable Legislative Leaders:

By this letter, I invite you to join me in negotiations to build a system of truly independent enforcement with transparent disclosure, and that ends the unfair and disproportionate influence of special interests and lobbyists in our State Capitol. To date, we have each advanced different proposals. I urge you to work together with me, so that we may craft legislation that meets all of our goals, and most importantly, those of the people of this State in honest and transparent government.

Such legislation should be based on a few simple principles. First, we must establish a framework for appointing an independent ethics agency, so that its members are not beholden to those they must investigate and adjudicate. Second, we need to ensure disclosure of outside income, to reduce any appearance of impropriety and so that the public can get the information it deserves about its elected representatives. Third, the legislation must reduce the corrupting influence of money in our campaign and election process, and end the pay to play process that currently corrupts our system of government. Finally, whatever bill may emerge, it is important that it ensure that enforcement of our laws is carried out without affording advantage to the party in power.

As I have repeatedly said, the public wants and deserves bolder and more decisive initiatives to win back its trust. I know that we share a common goal of bringing fairness and openness to government. There is, particularly now, an urgent need to be able to put in place rules and structures that address impropriety promptly and fairly, and minimize the potential for conflicts of interest. I look forward to working with you to remedy these problems.

Very Truly Yours,

David A. Paterson