Two assemblymen who represent parts of St. Lawrence County are disappointed the Democratic majority has not approved the 17-point reform package the GOP has proposed.

Marc Butler (R-Newport) and Ken Blankenbush (R-Black River) voted in favor of the package when the measures aimed at more transparency in government came up Monday, and are making political hay out of the Democratic majority’s lack of interest in the proposals from the GOP.

Blankenbush, a Republican from Jefferson County whose district includes part of southwestern St. Lawrence County, and Butler, a Republican from Herkimer County whose district includes a swath of St. Lawrence County from Norfolk and Madrid south to Clifton and Fine, voted in favor of 17 reform measures that, according to their press releases, would have created more openness and accountability in the Assembly

“I am dismayed at the failure of the Democratic Assembly Majority to adopt meaningful reforms that would have launched the Assembly on a more transparent and accountable path,” said Butler. “At some point, especially looking at the decades of scandals and dysfunction, it is time to make some changes. The people deserve reform; they deserve to trust their government again.”

Blankenbush introduced a proposal that would allow public hearings to be called if one third of members on an Assembly committee vote for one. This reform measure would make the shadowed committee process more transparent and accessible to the public, a press releases said.

“The public has a right to know and understand what their Assembly is doing through the committee process, which has been notoriously closed off to the people,” said Blankenbush. “I cannot tell you how many times I have come across legislation where the people should have had input on a matter but couldn’t because a committee chairperson did not want to hold open hearings. That’s not how we should operate as legislators, and I wish my colleagues across the aisle had adopted this proposal and taken the opportunity to ensure meaningful reform today.”

Among the reform measures Republicans have proposed are eight-year term limits for legislative leaders, including the Assembly Speaker and committee chairs; measures to make the legislative committee process more open by videotaping the proceedings and making them available online; and ensuring that each member of the Assembly could bring to the floor at least one piece of legislation with statewide significance for a vote. Butler expressed disappointment that none of the reforms were accepted by the Democrat majority.