Legislation sponsored by Senator Joseph Griffo R-Rome and co-sponsored by Senator Patty Ritchie R-Heuvelton that would set into law eight-year term limits for leadership positions in the Senate and Assembly passed in the state Senate but failed in the Assembly Tuesday.

The bill is consistent with what is already in place in Senate rules, the senators say, and also limits the number of years a legislator can serve as a committee chair or party leader.

“I am proud that the Senate is once again leading by example in taking steps to help restore the public’s trust in its state government,” Griffo said. “The public has made clear they expect the best from their elected officials, and I believe the Senate’s passage of my bill to impose term limits on all leaders and committee chairs in both houses of the Legislature will allow more opportunities of our members to have an active voice in the direction and leadership of state government.

“While the Legislature is full of many hard-working, well-intentioned public servants, clearly the longer a leader remains in power, the greater the temptation there may be for some to amass even more influence,” he said. The Senate continues to recognize what must be done in order to welcome fresh and innovative perspectives into positions of power, and we call upon the Assembly to do the same if they are truly serious about providing a better, more trustworthy, system of government.”

But the Assembly did not. That house, dominated by downstate Democrats, voted against the proposals Tuesday.

Griffo represents the 47th Senate District. It includes a swath running through the middle of St. Lawrence County, from Massena to Fine, including Potsdam.

Senator Patty Ritchie says voters are fed up with hearing stories of corruption from lawmakers they elected to represent them.

“Voters are fed up with opening the paper or turning on the news only to hear stories about corruption and unscrupulous behavior from the lawmakers they elect to represent them,” Ritchie said. “By taking this step at the start of the legislative session, we’re sending a message to the citizens of New York that not only are we rejecting unethical behavior, we’re also taking a step in the right direction to bring sunshine, fresh ideas and accountability to state government.”

The bill limits the tenure of the Temporary President of the Senate, Speaker of the Assembly and minority leaders of both houses to eight years. Legislative committee chairs would also be limited to serving no more than eight consecutive years.

The Senate first voluntarily implemented leadership term limits in 2009 as part of the rules governing the Senate. Adoption of the measure passed today would make them permanent in law for both the Senate and Assembly.

“Senate rules already limit the terms of the Temporary President and chairs of committees. This bill would extend those limits to both houses of the Legislature.