Westchester Assemblyman's Anti-Corruption Legislation Picks Up More Support

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Assemblyman David Buchwald's (D-Westchester) legislation that would expand the law that strips state pension benefits from public officials convicted of felonies where the public’s trust has been violated now has the required support to pass on the Assembly floor.

Joe Jenkins

04/25/2014 1:30 p.m.

The bill has gained the support of 89 members of the Assembly, well more than the 76 votes required to pass.

“This ethics reform is long overdue for the people of New York,” Buchwald said in a statement. “It’s unacceptable that even the most corrupt officials are allowed to continue to collect a state pension. This type of behavior should not be tolerated any longer.”

Buchwald’s bill is an amendment to the New York State Constitution aiming to strengthen the current “Public Integrity Reform Act,” which only strips pension benefits of convicted officials who first entered the State pension system after the law took effect in November 2011. Buchwald’s bill would apply to any public official, regardless of when he or she first held office.

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