THE ASSEMBLY mamorery wae STATE OF NEW YORK comurrees ALBANY ‘Economic Development, Job Creation, ‘Commas a Indy acng and Wagering JAMES W.TEDISCO Asiarcyman 112" Ortrct February 9, 2016 ‘The Honorable Brian Kavanagh Room 419) Legislative Office Building Albany, NY 12248 Dear Assemblyman Kavanagh Last year, while the Majority Conference was choosing who would be the next Speaker of the New York State Assembly, and in the weeks thereafter, a group of 23 Majority Members came together to form a so-called “Reform Caucus.” As you know, the Reform Caucus sent a letter to all members of the Democratic Conference to ask them to sign on to several reforms, The letter asked its membership the following questions: “Should the Assembly be more transparent?...What role sbovld Members play in making decisions regarding committee assignments, agendas, and staff allocations? Can technology increase transparency? Should we expend Assembly resources to update technology?” «,..How can members hae a greater opportunity to weigh in on policy and budget decisions before legislative negotiations? How can we encourage 2 reat and robust debate in committee meetings and on che floor? Should Members have the ability to get hills voted on in committee and on the floor there is broad support among colleagues?” I's been over a year since this letter was sent and a new Speaker was chosen and all we've heard from the Majority about reform bas been deafening silence even as several of our legislative colleagues, incfuding the former Speaker, were convicted of corruption and betraying their oaths of office. We, as your colleagues on the other side of the aisle, have been more than patient waiting for these reforms to emerge. A few weeks ago, our conference brought forth 13 reforms that would codify in the Assembly Rules many af the changes that were in your letter. Unfortunately, your conference and members of the Reform Caucus dashed any hope of those reforms passing by almost unanimously voting them down, ‘As you were a leader of the Reform Caucus, we are now writing you! to ask where are the reforms that were promised? We ask that the Reform Caucus take action as soon as possible to finally deliver on its promise of reforming how this Assembly Chamber operates. = / DISTRICT OFFICE: 636 Plank oad, Sue 101, Clon Par, New York 12065 «51.970:281, FAX: S18970-2862 ALBANY OFFICE: Room 40, Lage Ofie Bulg, Abany, New York 12248 = S1B-ABS-S772, FAX STB. 650 TEMA tase assent us