Politics & Government

Good Idea/Bad Idea? Term Limits for Albany

State senator calls for legislation to be passed in wake of recent scandals.

State Sen. Tony Avella is renewing his call for stricter ethics laws and the implementation of term limits on the heels of an ethics probe

Avella, D-Bayside, wants to institute a maximum of 16 years of service for members of the state’s Assembly and Senate.

“Unfortunately, when it comes to Albany, the more things change, the more they stay the same,” he said.” While we passed a series of ethics reforms this past legislative session, it is clear that more needs to be done, including instituting term limits. Politicians who serve for countless years tend to become stagnant, arrogant and reluctant to adopt new ideas.”

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Avella’s renewed push to pass his bill arrives on the heels of state Sen. Shirley Huntley’s arrest in a corruption probe and sexual harassment charges brought against state Assemblyman Vito Lopez, D-Brooklyn.

“The road to reforming Albany is long and unfinished, but creating term limits is a significant step in the right direction,” Avella said.

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