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Assemblymen Blankenbush, Butler 'stunned' at speaker's comments on Silver corruption case

Posted 11/20/15

Two North Country assemblymen have expressed their dismay at statements by Speaker Carl E. Heastie about ethics reform as former Speaker Sheldon Silver’s corruption trial continues. Assemblyman Ken …

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Assemblymen Blankenbush, Butler 'stunned' at speaker's comments on Silver corruption case

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Two North Country assemblymen have expressed their dismay at statements by Speaker Carl E. Heastie about ethics reform as former Speaker Sheldon Silver’s corruption trial continues.

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush, R, Black River, said he is “stunned” by Heastie’s statements.

Silver is facing federal prosecution. Heastie spoke to reporters about Silver’s trial, saying, “I think whatever happens as a result of his trial is not relevant.” It was also reported by POLITICO NY that he thinks there is “no will to enact more comprehensive reforms,” Blankenbush said.

Blankenbush represents the 117th Assembly District. It covers part of southwest St. Lawrence County from DeKalb to Pitcairn, including Gouverneur.

“Sheldon Silver, one of the state’s most powerful political players for the past several decades, is on trial for misusing his office, and our new speaker is saying that it’s irrelevant and the house doesn’t want to take action to reform Albany’s ethics. I’m just stunned as my Republican colleagues and I have been beating the drum for reform for years. New Yorkers should be furious that ethics are not being taken more seriously,” said Blankenbush.

Silver is on trial for fraud, extortion and money laundering. Federal prosecutors say he amassed $4 million by abusing his position of power. Heastie was elevated to speaker after Assembly Democrats ignored calls for Silver to be removed for weeks after his arrest.

“If Silver is convicted of the crimes he faces, he’s still eligible to collect a public pension paid with our tax dollars. He should be stripped of that privilege and serious steps must be taken to fix the underlying problems that lead to corruption in public service,” Blankenbush said.

Ethics problems in Albany are not limited to Silver, as nearly a dozen state elected officials resigned or were forced out of office due to ethics violations including bribery, embezzlement and sexual harassment.

Assemblyman Marc Butler, R, Newport, says he is warning Heastie not to be apathetic about ethics reform after recent comments he made to the press. POLITICO NY reported that Heastie said the result of Silver’s trial wasn’t relevant and that there wasn’t a will from the house to make such reforms, according to Butler.

Butler represents the 118th Assembly District. It covers much of southern St. Lawrence County, starting in Madrid and Norfolk and going south into Clifton and Fine.

“Speaker Heastie’s comments highlight the apathy in the Assembly Democrat Conference that has plagued our state government. This apathy, even downright hostility toward ethics reform, has allowed the culture of corruption to fester and grow into the mess it is today,” said Butler. “Two legislative leaders are facing federal corruption charges, numerous elected officials resigned or were forced out in disgrace, and it has been met with tacit approval by Assembly Democrats, who have failed to pass meaningful ethics reforms. Speaker Heastie is squandering a real opportunity to use his new position of power for the good of the people and restore the public’s trust. His defeatist and apathetic tone will not get the reforms we need. I urge him to reach across the aisle and enact some real change in state government.”