By Mark Scott
Albany, NY – A "report card on reform" introduced by several good government groups Monday promises to hold lawmakers accountable for pre-election promises to reform state government.
The report card was put together by several groups, including the New York Public Interest Research Group, Common Cause and the League of Women Voters. Over the course of the next year, NYPIRG's Blair Horner says the groups will grade the Legislature on ten key reform measures.
"We thought it was important to develop a report card that boils down the issues and keeps track of whether or not lawmakers supported reform measures and get that information to the voters," Horner said.
Horner says reforming a system that has resulted in 20 straight late budgets is needed most. But he says other reforms are necessary, ranging from changing the rules in both houses to make their actions more transparent to more regulation of Albany lobbyists. Horner says now that legislators are safely elected for another two years, reform efforts may no longer be a high priority.
"I'm always fearful reform efforts will take a back seat because too often reform issues do take a back seat and nothing happens," Horner said. "Part of the reason why we're in the pickle we're in here in Albany is because the governor and legislative leaders don't change the system."
Horner says the public is more aware of Albany's dysfunction and that lawmakers know that. He says more public scrutiny will enhance the chances for reform in the coming year.