Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) today joined his Assembly Minority colleagues at a press conference held by Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) criticizing the Assembly Majority for their soft stance on ethics reform. A bill requiring pension forfeiture for corrupt politicians is expected to be voted on today, but it lacks a Senate companion and is a watered-down version of what was agreed upon during budget negotiations in March.

“Albany’s corruption is out of hand,” McDonough said. “We need to send a message that abuse of power and the public trust will be dealt with harshly. Those who steal from the taxpayers they swore to protect should absolutely not receive a public pension or retirement benefits. New Yorkers have waited far too long for corruption to be extradited from Albany, and this bill is too little, too late. I am calling on the Assembly Majority to fulfill their promise and pass real pension forfeiture before session adjourns next week.”