Editor’s Note: Click Here for an mp4 file of Assemblyman Brabenec’s post press conference interview

Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C,I-Deerpark) today attended a press conference held by Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) calling for a floor vote on A.8658. This legislation would allow bills with at least 76 sponsors to automatically come before the Assembly Chamber for a vote. As it stands now, the Assembly Majority committee chairs and legislative leaders can hold up bills in committee and refuse to bring legislation to a vote at their own will. This often leads to bills with a vast majority of lawmakers’ support dying before they have a chance to become law.

“This bill is one of many proposals championed by the Assembly Minority to increase participation, transparency and the overall democratic function of our government,” Brabenec said. “Currently, many Majority Conference members of the Assembly are pawns to the leadership and do not allow bills to pass through their committees that are not in line with the Speaker’s priorities, despite overwhelming bi-partisan support. Democracy should not be autocratic, one-party rule, but, unfortunately, that is how the Assembly Majority wants business done in Albany. I am officially calling on Assembly leadership to bring this bill to the floor for an up-or-down vote.”