For IMMEDIATE Release: February 2, 2015

Contact: Timothy Lantz 518-455-5981

STEC RESPONDS TO POST STAR EDITORIAL

Assemblyman Dan Stec (R,C,I-Queensbury) today responded to the Glens Falls
Post Star editorial board following their recent commentary in support of term limits and
other reform items in the state Legislature. Stec noted that one of the first-ever bills he
sponsored and championed in the state Assembly in 2013, supported by both Republicans
and Democrats, was legislation which would create an amendment to the state
constitution removing all pension and retirement benefits from state officials convicted of
a felony.
Shortly after, Assembly Democrats blocked Stecs bill from being voted on, citing
fairness issues with the legislation.
I would remind the Post Star that my constituents know exactly where I stand
when it comes to term limits and ethics reform in the state Legislature, said Stec. Ive
been calling for needed ethics reform for years, not just when its timely or popular to do
so.
When Sheldon Silver was arrested on federal charges, Assembly Democrats
immediately rushed to his defense and stood by his side, including many from our area.
Only after a chorus of public and media outcry, including from the Post Star, did these
Assembly Democrats call for his resignation and reform.
Its egregious that Assembly Democrats blocked good legislation that would
have cleaned up Albanys culture of corruption, yet now support ethics reform when
public pressure caves in on them.
Stec also sponsored numerous other reform bills, including legislation to allow
voters the ability to remove an elected official from office through a direct vote and the
Public Officers Accountability Act.
In one of the strongest stances Ive taken as a legislator since coming to Albany, I
sponsor the Public Officers Accountability Act the most stringent ethics reform package
in the nation. Many provisions in this legislation are what the Post Star writes in support
of, including:

Implementing eight-year term limits for legislative leaders and committee chairs;

Creating new crimes and increase penalties for those who act against the public
trust or fail to report corruption;
Limiting the use of campaign funds to only campaign activities, prohibiting the
use of funds for criminal defenses, salary payments to staff or family, vehicle
purchases or leases and several other activities; and
Banning individuals convicted of felonies related to official duties from future
public employment, lobbying activity or bidding on state contracts.

I would urge the Post Stars readers to contact local Assembly Democrats they are
the legislators who have continually blocked reform packages from becoming law. We
should not be waiting another day longer to pass these long-overdue reforms.
###