REFORM GETS LITTLE ATTENTION IN ALBANY.(News)(Column)

Byline: BARBARA BARTOLETTI ALBANY

How quickly they forget!

Earlier this month the Legislature returned for the beginning of the 2006 session. Gov. Pataki gave his final State of the State address touting his accomplishments. Pataki talked extensively about the need for crime reduction, tax cuts, increases in educational standards, health care and open spaces - all important issues, to be sure.

Legislators rushed to the microphones with their responses. The issue that neither the governor nor any legislator mentioned is the one that last year they could not stop talking about. Reform!

Last week government reform groups issued "A Work in Progress: The 2005 Mid-Term "Report Card on Reform' for New York State Government." The overall grade for both the governor and state lawmakers was a mediocre C-, with the governor getting a D+, the Assembly a C and the Senate a D+. C- is passing, but barely.

It would appear that both the governor and the Legislature have become afflicted with a common syndrome known in the Capitol as "we did that already." But have they? One on-time budget in the past 20 years does not make for a highly functional government. Nor does closing one ethics loophole or changing a rule to make legislators sit in their seats when a vote is taken.

The 2005 legislative session did see some accomplishments. There was passage of meaningful oversight of lobbyists seeking to influence government contracts, and a change in the Freedom of Information Law to make it easier for citizens to challenge agencies that ignore FOIL requests.

A new campaign finance disclosure law will require candidates and political parties at the local level to electronically file campaign finance information with the state Board of Elections, which will now post it on the Internet. Lawmakers agreed to modest improvements in the oversight of public authorities and created a new inspector general and budget office.

That's encouraging, but much more needs to be done. The most significant and difficult reforms lie ahead. The governor and the Legislature must ensure that their rhetoric is borne out by real, measurable achievements.

Here is how the governor and the legislators can raise their grades in the coming session:

Support the establishment of an independent redistricting commission. Partisan redistricting allows legislators to choose the voters before voters have a chance to choose them. Competitive elections are the lifeblood of democracy, and an independent commission would ensure that people, not parties, are protected.

Support broadening the definition of lobbying to cover the role of lobbyists in campaign fundraising, the ability of lobbyists to give gifts to policymakers, and the business relationships between lobbyists and lawmakers.

Support the creation of a new independent ethics oversight agency for both the executive and legislative branches.

Support comprehensive campaign finance reform. Contributions must be limited, soft money must be banned and reliance on special interests for election funds must be cut.

Barbara Bartoletti is legislative director of the League of Women Voters of New York State. To contribute to "Rethinking Albany," contact state editor Paul Riede at 470-2138 or e-mail him at priede@syracuse.com.