Last year, taxpayers spent more than 530,000 to fund the pensions of 14 public officials convicted of felonies. Despite failing to uphold their duties to constituents, these individuals are still able to cash retirement checks funded by taxpayers.

It is mind boggling that this is still the case in 2015. It is even more bewildering that after years of proposals and talk of reform, legislation that would strip corrupt public officials of their pensions is still on hold.

Last-minute maneuvering prolongs wait for reform

Pension-forfeiture legislation was included in the budget last month, but the Assembly majority inexplicably pulled the measure at the 11th hour. Despite assurances from the majority that the bill would be considered shortly after, there has been no movement toward a constitutional amendment to take away pensions from convicted legislators. No bill has moved to the Assembly floor and excuses abound.

The Senate already passed a bill to accomplish this much-needed ethics reform, and yet we are still needlessly waiting in the Assembly. The public deserves to trust its representatives, and with Albany’s persistent allegations of corruption and abuse, it is time we stop playing games with ethics reform and start getting serious about regaining the faith of those we are elected to serve.

The situation is wrong on every level. The longer the Assembly majority waits to act, the longer we pay the pensions of people who do not deserve it.

Recently, Assemblyman William Scarborough announced he is pleading guilty to fraud charges related to per-diem pay. This is just one of many unfortunate examples that have cropped up in recent months and reinforces the urgency to enact meaningful changes in Albany.

Taking advantage of taxpayers is shameful, and that is why I have called for a major overhaul of ethics legislation for years. My Public Officers Accountability Act (A.4617) would put term limits on legislative leaders and increase penalties for foul play, but the Assembly majority continues to hamper wholesale changes.

How many more accusations, indictments, and convictions will it take before we start using an aggressive approach to root out corruption? How much more taxpayer money needs to be taken before real reform is enacted?

 
No excuse for the holdup 

I find new reports that the measure the Senate passed should be altered or “tightened” to be nothing short of infuriating. Media outlets have indicated that special interests are unhappy with the language in the proposal and are behind the holdup. This rhetoric is unacceptable and a poor excuse to stall a measure that is long overdue.

I will continue to fight for a speedy remedy to the growing problem of corruption. Convicted felons who chose to betray hard-working New Yorkers do not deserve a lifetime of checks from taxpayers. Any ethics reform short of removing those pensions is simply not enough.                                                                                                             

Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C–Canandaigua) is the New York Assembly minority leader and represents the 131st Assembly District, which encompasses all of Ontario County and parts of Seneca County. Contact him at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us

Recently, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released a stunning audit of the state Medicaid program that showed that over the last four years more than $800 million was wasted on “improper” payments and other “questionable” transactions. This is startling news.

New York’s Medicaid program is among the most expensive in the nation, costing taxpayers $54 billion annually. There is no doubt that we need social safety-net programs for the poor and disabled, but, New York has adopted the Cadillac of plans. As you may know, the Medicaid program is set by the state, but is implemented by your county government. The state legislature over the decades kept adding expensive ancillary-care programs to the federally mandated minimum Medicaid program. This was generous, yet our local governments and taxpayers have been forced to foot the bill for a program with out-of-control and growing costs.

Together, the overly-generous program and fraudulent claims costing hundreds of millions is crippling a program that is indeed important to the people who truly need a social safety net. It is clear New York needs to do more to prevent fraud and waste. 

We have a number of ways we can address the problem, which includes the state taking full responsibility for the costs associated with Medicaid. That would bring more accountability and incentive to reduce the costs. Additionally, I support bill A.5201, which prohibits any additional unfunded mandates regarding Medicaid unless the state increases local aid or is willing to eliminate an existing mandate of at least equal cost. These legislative solutions would address the uncontrolled growth of spending in the program.

Secondly, I support legislation that would create incentives for counties to prosecute Medicaid fraud. The bill I support, A.5113, would allow counties to collect 100 percent of the local share of Medicaid fraud prosecutions, or 10 percent of the total recovery, whichever is greater.

New York must take a tougher stance on reducing Medicaid costs and going after fraud. If we don’t get serious about the growing problems in the program, it will be so costly it will not be sustainable and could be threatened altogether. It is time for my legislative colleagues to pay attention.      

Marc W. Butler (R,C,I–Newport) is a New York State Assemblyman for the 118th District, which encompasses parts of Oneida, Herkimer, and St. Lawrence counties, as well as all of Hamilton and Fulton counties. Contact him at butlerm@assembly.state.ny.us