How many more indictments will it take

There were many surprises on Election Day across America, including an apparent upset in New York state’s 8th Senate District. Though ballots were still being challenged in court as the Herald went to press this week, Democrat John Brooks, an unknown candidate with limited resources, appears to have done the impossible, defeating Republican incumbent Sen. Michael Venditto.

All across Long Island, Democrats lost State Senate races, but in the 8th District there was a tsunami of angry voters who took out their frustration with corruption on Venditto. Voters have had enough. We saw this in the race for Nassau County district attorney last fall, when Madeline Singas won in a landslide over Kate Murray, the very well-known Hempstead town supervisor.

Voters get it: Corruption costs them in higher taxes, inefficient services and patronage. The recent indictments of County Executive Edward Mangano and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, Michael’s father, reflect the ongoing problem of corruption at all levels of government. Mangano and Venditto were arrested and charged with honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit federal program bribery. Federal officials say they received bribes and kickbacks from a businessman who also gave Mangano’s wife, Linda, a lucrative no-show job the year her husband took office. They allegedly received gifts, discounted rates for the use of private facilities for fundraisers and other activities, and free vacations.

Not long ago, former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver were convicted of corruption, yet time and time again, Republican leaders in the Senate block campaign finance and ethics reform that would weed out corruption.

How many more elected officials will be indicted before our leaders in Albany and in our area finally take action? The indictments reveal more of the same pay-to-play culture that we saw with the convictions of Skelos and Silver — and which exists at all levels of government.

We call on every state legislator who has blocked campaign finance and ethics reforms in the past to finally stand up to corruption and restore the confidence of the residents of Long Island, who have no more patience for excuses.

It is the taxpayers of Nassau County who pay the price when elected officials are more worried about returning political favors than improving the lives of their constituents. We call on Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and his Senate colleagues to pass comprehensive reforms, and to base them on the recommendations made by the Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo created in 2013. They included instituting public campaign financing, lowering contribution limits, closing loopholes and limiting the use of campaign accounts.

The commission made the case that public financing of campaigns — by matching the contributions of small donors — would free elected officials from reliance on massive donations from the wealthy and powerful, invigorate citizens’ democratic participation, increase public accountability and renew the public trust. Small-donor matching also allows those without access to well-heeled supporters to nevertheless compete in elections.

Massive contributions — over $50,000 to a candidate for statewide office, and unlimited checks to party “housekeeping” accounts — are currently legal in New York state. Contributions limits to campaigns and political parties must be lowered. As well, the so-called LLC loophole, which allows easily formed companies to make contributions of up to $150,000, and the party housekeeping account loophole must be closed.

There also must be tougher and more specific standards to restrict the personal use of campaign funds and to widen the disclosure of campaign expenditures. There should also be new limits on transfers from political parties to campaigns.
In addition to these critical reforms, state legislators also need to pass a package of voting rights reforms that would modernize voting and expand and protect the voting process. State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman recently released a report that detailed widespread problems with voting. And with early voting all across the nation, there is no reason that New York state should lag behind in adopting it.

As a taxpayer, a mother and a local resident, I continually hear that politicians cannot be trusted. People have lost faith in the system and are ready for change, which is why John Brooks is on the verge of claiming the 8th Senate District seat. The time is now to restore public trust by shifting control of our democracy to the people.
 
Lisa Tyson is the director of the Long Island Progressive Coalition, and lives in North Bellmore.