ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com

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Jane Corwin

ALBANY — Assemblywoman Jane Corwin released a statement this afternoon calling on Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos to resign from his leadership position.

Corwin said "the cloud of distractions and questions following an arrest compromises the Majority Leader's ability to remain objective and committed during the legislative process.

The Clarence Republican also took an opportunity to renew calls for ethics reform in the state Legislature.

Her statement follows in its entirety:

The news of Senate Majority Leader Skelos is disappointing and disheartening. It is important to note that, as in the situation of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, there has been no conviction of criminal action or corruption, and the legal process must be allowed to play out. However, given the circumstances and the nature of the accusations, I am calling on the Senate Majority Leader to step down from his leadership position.

While I am not a member of the Senate chamber and the decision of house leadership rests with the members of that house, I believe that the cloud of distractions and questions following an arrest compromises the Majority Leader’s ability to remain objective and committed during the legislative process.

Earlier this session, the Assembly Minority conference had proposed a wide variety of reforms that would make sweeping changes to how our government operates. These proposals were finally aired following the arrest of the former speaker; however, these reforms were disregarded by the Assembly Majority and Senate Majority during the budget process. With today’s events, we have a perfect opportunity to revisit these proposals and make the statement that corruption will not be tolerated in our state. 

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