Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) today called on the Assembly to pass a package of rules reforms that would greatly increase openness, transparency and participation in the legislative process. McDonough said this legislation is necessary to restore faith in government and shine light on the sea of corruption and disgrace we have seen over the past several years.

“We need rules reforms now more than ever,” McDonough said. “The public is fed up with corrupt politicians misusing their tax dollars and using their power to benefit private interests when it should be benefiting the public. The Assembly Minority Conference has been at the forefront of ethics reform, and we are continuing the fight today. Concepts like transparency and fairness are supposed to be integral parts of any government, but we have, unfortunately, moved away from those principles here in Albany. I am calling on the Assembly leadership and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to bring these proposals to the floor for a vote. Together, we can forge a stronger and more transparent government.”

McDonough’s comments were made after a press conference held today by Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) at which he introduced a sweeping set of rules reforms for the House. Among the bills are measures to enact term limits for legislative leaders and committee chairs and a measure allowing every member of the Assembly to bring one substantive piece of legislation to the floor for a vote.