North Country Assemblyman Marc W. Butler R,-Newport, is disappointed by what he calls a missed opportunity by Assembly Democrats to bring ethics reform to state government.

The Committee on Governmental Employees did not bring the Public Pension Forfeiture Bill (A.4643-A) to the floor for a vote. The legislation is a proposed constitutional amendment stripping officials of their publicly-funded pensions when convicted of felonies related to corruption, but the Democrats tabled the vote, Butler said.

Butler’s 118th Assembly District includes St. Lawrence County towns from Norfolk and Madrid south to Colton, Clifton and Fine.

“An unprecedented number of New Yorkers agree on one thing – ethics reform needs to happen now, and every step of the way Assembly Democrats have either brazenly defied the will of the people or dragged their feet when it comes to bringing these reforms to the floor,” said Butler. “This bill would strip officials convicted of felonies of their publicly-funded pensions. It’s a no-brainer to me in light of the convictions of several former legislative leaders – we need protections like this in place to prevent taxpayers from having to pay these criminals a public pension.”

The legislation has passed the Senate.