State Sen. Joseph A. Griffo (R-C-IP, Rome) wants tougher penalties for elected officials convicted of corruption

Griffo who represents, Massena, Potsdam, Norfolk and other St. Lawrence County towns, is pushing the adoption of an overhaul to the elections process.

“The recent high-profile revelations of corruption allegations of several state and local government officials have prompted a surge of suggestions to combat the problem,” said Griffo. “While the Governor and legislative leaders will be looking to approve such measures, I contend that there are further, more systemic changes that if made, could make more of a difference in stemming corrupt elected, in increasing transparency and accountability of those who violate the public trust.”

Griffo said the incidents highlight the need for further changes to reform the culture of doing business in Albany. He pointed to legislation he introduced in the past, which called for term limits on Albany officials.

“One of the very first pieces of legislation I sponsored when I came to Albany in 2007 – and one that did pass that term -- was a bill that would impose term limits on the most powerful offices in Albany, because I felt then and still believe that a structure that does not allow change cannot provide the climate of openness and transparency that I believe are vital elements in the functioning of government,” Griffo said.

He noted that the State Senate has adopted term limits for leadership positions as a rule governing Senate operations, but said he still wants the limits formalized into law and also enacted by the Assembly to cover both houses.

Griffo also said that time has come for a serious consideration on term limits for rank and file legislators. “Imposing term limits on rank and file positions jump-starts change to build a better system, and in the end state government must be built with a structure that gets the job done, not one that allows for the development of powerful demagogues to secure a lifetime position.”

The senator also supports an amendment to the constitution that would limit the tenures of the offices of the governor, comptroller and attorney general.

Griffo said that it could go a long way in keeping New York State's leadership fresh and innovative and allow an influx of new voices and perspectives in order to make better and broader the representation of the people of New York in the state's executive branch.

Griffo said another piece of legislation he introduced would foster greater participatory democracy by allowing voters to place proposed laws on the ballot for New Yorkers to adopt or reject. He also called for placing an already existing law on the ballot for New Yorkers to reject or accept; and including the question of whether to remove and replace a public official on the ballot.

“Twenty-four states presently allow citizen initiative measures of some type,” Griffo noted. “Establishing initiative and referendum and recall in New York would be an important check on the power of special interests in the State.”

Griffo also co-sponsored a bill that would bar any elected official convicted of a felony offense that occurred during their time in office from collecting their pension benefits earned while in such office. “While we passed a law in 2011 that would allow prosecutors to apply for the revocation of a convicted official’s pension, there are still constitutional considerations that need to be addressed that would allow authorities to strip pensions from an officeholder convicted of a felony,” Griffo said. “Since the prospect of jail-time hasn’t proved to be a complete deterrent to those indulging in public corruption, the idea of forfeiting a nest egg earned over a lifetime of public service would strengthen the incentive to stay straight.”