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I fully support the action yesterday of the Assembly Democratic Conference to begin the process of electing a new Speaker. It is an essential first step in moving ahead to address the people's business. Next Monday, the office of the Speaker of the Assembly will be vacant, and our current Majority Leader Joseph Morelle will be made acting speaker effective immediately. On Tuesday, Feb. 10, the Assembly will elect the new speaker.
Selecting a new speaker is just the first step. We need to reform the ways the Assembly works to restore the public's confidence in the Assembly and, just as importantly, to make our Assembly a more effective, transparent and creative body that can aggressively interact with the governor and the Senate during this very important budget debate. Over the past week, I have been working with my colleagues from across the state on a reform agenda.
First, we need to reform the way the Assembly works so that the interests of all New Yorkers, not just those whose representatives have years of seniority, have their needs considered. Second, we must invest in 21st-century technology to ensure a better flow of information between ourselves and our constituents. Third, we must end the practice of delegating the most important decisions to "three men in a room" and broaden participation in negotiating our state's budget.
We know that new leadership and with change, we can earn the public's trust and change their view of Albany, and once again honor the service that each of us provides.
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