FRANKLYWNOW - NYS Assembly Members Speak State Bugdet and Ethics Reform

Andrew Cuomo is drawing a line in the sand over ethics reform - one that could mean a late state budget.

Last week the Governor said he would not sign a state budget that doesn't include a plan for legislative ethics reform. Cuomo outlined some changes he felt should take place, including full disclosure of all outside income for legislators; stopping the personal use of campaign funds and removing state pensions from lawmakers convicted of public corruption. Legislators currently negotiating a new state budget have mixed feelings.

New York Assemblyman Clifford Crouch said, "I think that's kind of insulting to the process quite frankly I mean we've worked hard to get on time budgets for the last four years and to the governor's credit he ran on an on time budget and we've been able to work with him to deliver that for the last four years. and then to hold it hostage ...I mean you know...lets sit down and negotiate."

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said, "It certainly underscores how important it is to him that we get these things done and the areas that he's emphasizing are all things that I can support. Which makes it a little easier for me to go along with what he's recommending. As a matter of fact I'd kind of like to see us take these things into consideration before the budget."

The dtate budget is due April 1st.