“I am optimistic that today’s election of Carl Heastie as speaker means new beginnings for New York. For far too long, attempts to implement reform have been blocked unilaterally by our leadership and those with too much power. It is time to rid Albany of corruption and bring true democracy back to the chamber. We have an opportunity to advance measures that will address important issues such as ethics, education, and mandate relief. The people of New York deserve to be represented by a government founded on transparency and accountability. The Assembly Minority Conference has introduced numerous good policies that would benefit New Yorkers across our state if put into law. It’s my sincere hope that Speaker Heastie is willing to foster a new spirit of bipartisanship and that he remains open-minded to initiatives presented on both sides of the aisle.”