Ceretto: Comprehensive Assembly reforms package shot down by downstate lawmakers

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, expressed disappointment New York City lawmakers voted down the Assembly minority conference's package of reforms designed to increase accountability, transparency and restore public trust in government. Ceretto said these reforms, which included eight-year term limits for the speaker and legislative leaders, would have recuperated the image of the Assembly, which has been tarnished by the arrest of former Speaker Sheldon Silver and other scandals.

"Today is a disappointing day for Western New York families," Ceretto said Monday. "Today, I and many reform-minded colleagues, pushed for a vote on a package of legislation to bring much-needed reforms to the Assembly. Unfortunately, the same downstate, New York City lawmakers that kept Sheldon Silver in power for over two decades voted these reforms down. While today's result is discouraging, I vow to continue pushing to make important reforms to the Assembly so the corruption that occurred under Sheldon Silver can never happen again."