FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Political Corruption in Albany
The most urgent issue facing the Governor and State Legislature is political corruption.
Corruption is the root cause of New York’s failed economic development policy.
Corruption is why our state is branded a national shame.
Corruption destroys hope and lives.
One needs only look at SUNY-Poly, Alain Kaloyeros and the shattered dream of nanotech to know that corruption has catastrophic, real world consequences.
Inaction by those already in Albany is one reason why I’m working so hard to get to Albany.
I do not intend to go to the Assembly and become part of the woodwork.
To paraphrase Victor Hugo, I will live my Albany life out loud.
I will push the institutions of state government to heal themselves.
I’ll sponsor and help pass the bills that will fix the legislature and executive from within.
To change Albany, I will do as an Assembly Member what I have already done as an Assembly candidate.
This past winter I announced my support for both Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s Procurement Integrity Act and the Restore Public Trust campaign being waged by the League of Women Voters, NYPIRG, Reinvent Albany, Citizens Union and Common Cause.
These proposals are blueprints for restoring dignity and trust to Albany’s degraded culture.
Mr. DiNapoli’s strategy would increase independent oversight over SUNY contracts, expand the Comptroller’s authority over large SUNY Research Foundation contracts and strengthen ethical rules governing relationships between state procurement officials and private vendors.
If successful, the Restore Public Trust effort would ensure an honest and transparent process for rewarding government contracts, end “pay to play” by vendors and contractors, ban unregulated contributions by LLC’s and place limits on the income of state legislators and high-ranking gubernatorial appointments.
Corruption exists because we have historically ignored and enabled dishonest politicians.
That stops now.
If elected to the Assembly I will neither disregard Albany’s wrongs nor empower Albany’s criminals.
Sincerely,
Marianne Buttenschon
Candidate for the Assembly 119th District